Investigating Matter
Apps Required:
Learning Objectives:
Using the iPad to investigate Matter:
1. Popplet: At the beginning of this unit of study, students can create a mind map, or concept map, using the Popplet app, to show what they already know about solids, liquids and gases, and how they change and interact with each other. Popplet allows students to create multiple mind maps, which can be shared with other students thereby affording students the opportunity to work collaboratively. Students can also access their work at home on the Popplet website.
At the end of the unit of study students can create a new mind map to demonstrate what they have learned or alter the map they created at the beginning of the unit. Maps can be shared and discussed with the class, as they can be embedded on a website, blog or wiki.
Alternatively, students can use Popplet to document their learning and the relationships they see between solids, liquids and gases throughout the unit of study.
- describe characteristics of the three states of matter and identify examples in the surrounding environment
- investigate and identify properties of familiar liquids and solids
- investigate and describe the interactions of familiar liquids and solids
- investigate changes that result from the interaction of different materials
- make predictions, observe and record observations when carrying out investigations
- communicate procedures and results of explorations
- communicate prior knowledge and ask questions about the three states of matter
Using the iPad to investigate Matter:
1. Popplet: At the beginning of this unit of study, students can create a mind map, or concept map, using the Popplet app, to show what they already know about solids, liquids and gases, and how they change and interact with each other. Popplet allows students to create multiple mind maps, which can be shared with other students thereby affording students the opportunity to work collaboratively. Students can also access their work at home on the Popplet website.
At the end of the unit of study students can create a new mind map to demonstrate what they have learned or alter the map they created at the beginning of the unit. Maps can be shared and discussed with the class, as they can be embedded on a website, blog or wiki.
Alternatively, students can use Popplet to document their learning and the relationships they see between solids, liquids and gases throughout the unit of study.
The image on the right is an example of a Popplet posted on a teacher's blog. The Grade 1 student showed what he learned about spiders. |
- take pictures of the various materials they will be using,
- record a video of the investigation, and
- add text explaining their predictions, observations and the outcome of their investigations.
This can be done either individually, with each student having their own iPad to record their learning, or in groups with only a few iPads, where students can take turns acting as the recorder to document the investigation carried out by the group.
The link below is an example of a school that used Book Creator for a scientific investigation of air: http://davyhulme.primaryblogger.co.uk/topic/science-week-investigations/
Students can also use this app to document all their scientific investigations throughout the year, which can serve as a record of their learning.
Book Creator image retrieved from http://www.edudemic.com/2013/06/8-powerful-apps-to-help-you-create-books-on-the-ipad/
Camera image retrieved from http://www.geek.com/apple/apple-may-have-ditched-omnivision-for-lg-innotek-for-the-next-iphones-camera-1215582/
Popplet image retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/popplet/id374151636?mt=8
Spider Popplet image retrieved from http://www.mrswideen.com/2012/12/my-top-picks-for-content-creation-ipad.html
Camera image retrieved from http://www.geek.com/apple/apple-may-have-ditched-omnivision-for-lg-innotek-for-the-next-iphones-camera-1215582/
Popplet image retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/popplet/id374151636?mt=8
Spider Popplet image retrieved from http://www.mrswideen.com/2012/12/my-top-picks-for-content-creation-ipad.html