TASK 3: CONCEPT CARTOON
The above concept cartoon titled 'sink of float' is targeted at grade one (level one - two) students. It has been developed according to the 'physical science' section of the Australian Curriculum. The curriculum requires students to explore and understand that the way objects move depends on a variety of factors, including their size and shape (ACSSU005). The Victoria Department of Education and Early Childhood Development continuum (2014) have also dedicated a section to the topic titled 'floating and sinking'. This detailed section explores beliefs that students may have already formed about objects that float and ones that sink including the following:
The sink or float concept cartoon has been developed to encourage students to observe and consider a variety of these common conceptions and opinions that others have about the topic. The cartoon is also designed to influence students to think about and form their own opinions whilst also comparing the similarities and contrasts of their opinions and the ones that the cartoons convey. I would implement this concept cartoon into a classroom discussion and read out (or have students read) what each of the characters are saying. After reading the cartoon I would pose questions about which idea each child agree's or disagree's with and why and form estimations about what we think may happen with specific objects. This concept cartoon could act as an introductory piece to engage students in learning about what makes an object sink and what makes an object float. It could also be used to promote the class discussion in the middle of the lesson where students can analyse and experiment with each characters theories and lastly as a reflective piece to rebut against and for each characters estimations with our newly formed knowledge and results.
- heavy objects sink and light objects float regardless of their size, shape or the type of material used to make them
- a true floating object must be wholly above the surface of the liquid
- all objects that float must contain some trapped air and that is the only reason why they float
- the amount of liquid on which the object floats matters somehow, i.e. an object will float higher in a larger volume or deeper liquid.
The sink or float concept cartoon has been developed to encourage students to observe and consider a variety of these common conceptions and opinions that others have about the topic. The cartoon is also designed to influence students to think about and form their own opinions whilst also comparing the similarities and contrasts of their opinions and the ones that the cartoons convey. I would implement this concept cartoon into a classroom discussion and read out (or have students read) what each of the characters are saying. After reading the cartoon I would pose questions about which idea each child agree's or disagree's with and why and form estimations about what we think may happen with specific objects. This concept cartoon could act as an introductory piece to engage students in learning about what makes an object sink and what makes an object float. It could also be used to promote the class discussion in the middle of the lesson where students can analyse and experiment with each characters theories and lastly as a reflective piece to rebut against and for each characters estimations with our newly formed knowledge and results.