Santa's Workshop Science

Ciara McNearly

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Santa's Workshop Science

Explore physics and chemistry concepts

In this lesson, students will explore the science behind Santa's Workshop through hands-on experiments related to physics and chemistry. They will learn about how snowflakes form and the chemistry of candy canes, engaging in activities that illustrate these scientific principles. This lesson is important as it combines fun, creativity, and education, helping students understand complex concepts in an enjoyable way.

Audience

Achievers (ages 9-10)

Time

1 hour

Approach

Explore physics and chemistry concepts

Materials

Snowflake Formation Experiment Instructions, Candy Cane Chemistry Experiment Instructions, Discussion Questions, Worksheet, Quiz, and Answer Key

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

Begin with a brief discussion about Santa's Workshop and the magic behind it.
Introduce the concept of science in everyday magic, like snowflakes and candy canes.
Explain the objectives of the lesson.

Step 2

Snowflake Formation Experiment

15 mins

Provide students with the Snowflake Formation Experiment Instructions.
Guide them through the process of creating their own snowflakes using simple materials.
Discuss the science behind snowflake formation, focusing on crystallization and temperature.

Step 3

Candy Cane Chemistry Experiment

15 mins

Hand out the Candy Cane Chemistry Experiment Instructions.
Lead students in an experiment to understand the chemistry of candy canes, including dissolving and reactions.
Explain the chemical reactions involved in candy making.

Step 4

Discussion

10 mins

Use the Discussion Questions to facilitate a conversation about what students learned.
Encourage students to share their observations and thoughts on the experiments.

Step 5

Worksheet Activity

5 mins

Distribute the Worksheet for students to complete individually.
The worksheet will reinforce the concepts learned during the experiments.

Step 6

Quiz and Closure

5 mins

Administer a short Quiz to assess understanding of the lesson.
Review the answers using the Answer Key.
Conclude with a summary of the key points and encourage students to think about other everyday science wonders.

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Reading

Snowflake Formation Experiment Instructions

Instructions for conducting the snowflake formation experiment, focusing on crystallization and temperature effects.

Materials Needed:

Pipe cleaners
String
Jars
Borax
Hot water

Instructions:

Twist pipe cleaners into a snowflake shape.
Tie a string to the snowflake and hang it in a jar.
Mix hot water with borax until it dissolves.
Pour the solution into the jar, covering the snowflake.
Leave overnight to observe crystal formation.

Reading

Candy Cane Chemistry Experiment Instructions

Instructions for conducting the candy cane chemistry experiment, focusing on dissolving and chemical reactions.

Materials Needed:

Candy canes
Warm water
Vinegar
Baking soda

Instructions:

Place candy canes in warm water and observe the dissolving process.
Add vinegar to one container and baking soda to another.
Observe the reactions and discuss the chemistry involved.

Discussion

Discussion Questions

Questions to guide a discussion on the science behind the experiments.

What did you observe during the snowflake formation experiment?

Encourage students to describe the crystallization process and how temperature affected it.

How did the candy canes react in different solutions?

Discuss the dissolving process and the chemical reactions observed with vinegar and baking soda.

Worksheet

A worksheet to reinforce the concepts learned during the experiments.

Describe how snowflakes form.

Explain the chemical reaction observed with candy canes and vinegar.

Quiz

Answer Key

The answer key for the quiz, providing correct answers and explanations.

What is crystallization?

The process of forming crystals
Crystallization is the process where a solid forms from a solution or melt, creating a crystal structure.

What happens when candy canes are placed in vinegar?

They react and fizz
The vinegar reacts with the candy cane, causing a fizzing reaction due to the acid-base interaction.