Global TOPS Resource Manual #91

Table of Contents for #91 Global TOPS Resource Manual:

Introduction to Resource Manual

A TOPS Model For Effective Science Teaching • Gathering Materials • Long-Range Objectives

Introductions Sections A-O

Each of the 15 sections in this book begin with 3 pages of introductory material organized into 7 parts: • Contents (see specific sections below) • Overview • Evaluation Questions • Answers • Sequencing • Materials • Further study

Sections / Lessons

Each of these 100 lessons includes a reproducible student activity page supported by a full page of teaching notes.

1. A. INVESTIGATING PENDULUMS: observing pendulums • clock pendulums • heavier or longer? • little swings / big swings • how long is a pendulum? • energy transfer • coin hypnosis
2. B. PENDULUM MATHEMATICS counting cycles • pendulum squares • graph your pendulums • paper clip mathematics • chain graph • square root of two • half life
3. C. BALANCE BEAMS build a math balance (1) • build a math balance (2) • paper clip balancing • balance addition • balance multiplication • balance puzzles • more balance puzzles • does it balance? • which way?
4. D. COMPARING MASSES: build a paper beam balance (1) • build a paper beam balance (2) • seeds and paper clips • paper clip masses (1) • paper clip masses (2) • educated guess • gram masses • paper clip graph • paper clips to grams • seed graph
5. E. DIFFERENT DIMENSIONS length • area • volume • which dimension? • bottle cap measure • dry measure / liquid measure • all kinds of measure • measuring with water • seeds in a can • salt and sugar
6. F. TALKING METRIC metric language • layer upon layer • kilometer ruler • metric squares • face-up • metric rummy
7. G. SIGNIFICANT FIGURES the last digit • certain / uncertain • dial-a-measure • line measure • meter measure • body measure
8. H. BULBS AND BATTERIES it works! • to light or not to light • light bulb predictions • series means in a row • parallel means side by side • conductor or insulator? • electric puzzles
9. I. CIRCUITS build a circuit • electric bypass • circuit symbols • electro-squares • map it / draw it / build it • series or parallel? • two-way switches
10. J. ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE resistance in a wire • a flashy experiment • surprise circuits • build a fuse
11. K. MAGNETS is it magnetic? • name that pole • invisible gears • up in the air • how strong?
12. L. MAGNETIC FIELDS pin compass • letter puzzles • which way • map a magnetic field • opposite fields attract • like fields repel
13. M. INVENTIONS build an electromagnet • pin motors • dots and dashes • does it buzz it? • on-off motor
14. N. ANIMALS bug in a jar • looking at animals • adapt-a-bird • camouflage • to run or not to run • beat it
15. O. PLANTS comparing seeds • night and day • foil mini-planters • sprouting seeds • grid work

Supplementary Page

(F-4) metric squares • (F-6) metric card holder • (I-4) electro-squares • (N-3) adapt-a-bird • (O-5) drawing grids

 

Complete Master List for #91 Global TOPS Resource Manual:

Gather these 15 basics plus recyclables to teach ALL 100 lessons in this book! Quantities are sufficient for 30 students working in 15 pairs. Starred* items may be purchased below.

Materials to Purchase

1. * 1 spool Thread
2. 15 pair Scissors
3. * 11 boxes of Paper Clips
4. * 5 rolls of Masking Tape
5. * 120 medium-sized Rubber Bands
6. * 8 rolls Clear Tape
7. * 1 box steel Straight Pins
8. * 90 wooden spring-action Clothespins
9. * 2 rolls Aluminum Foil
10. * 60 size-D Batteries
11. * 40 Flashlight Bulbs
12. * 1 box fine-grade Steel Wool
13. * 70 small Ceramic Magnets
14. * 1 roll plastic-insulated Copper Wire
15. * 30 medium-sized Nails



Available and Recycled Materials

16. 1 Wall Clock with second hand sweep (or substitute wristwatches)
17. 30 small Coins (pennies) of uniform size
18. 15 Hand Calculators
19. 30 medium-sized Cans
20. 1 small package each of Pinto Beans, Popcorn, Lentils and long-grained Rice (or locally available seeds)
* 15 Bottle Caps
21. 15 Pen Caps
22. 1 handful of Scratch Paper
23. 1 Water Source
24. * 30 small glass Jars with Lids.
25. 15 large glass Jars
26. 1 package Table Sugar (used in one activity)
27. 1 package Table Salt (used in one activity)
28. local Insects and Animals to observe
29. 1 ball String
30. various Paints, Crayons, or Colored Pencils
31. 1 handful Newspaper
32. 1 small bag Potting Soil
33. 1 roll Plastic Wrap



School Supplies

34. 1 Notebook or supply of notebook paper
35. 1 Pencil
36. 1 Eraser

Convenient Shopping:

Aluminum Foil

regular strength, 20 square feet x 12 inches rolls

Buy aluminum foil here as a convenience item, or for less in many grocery stores.


#1450: Aluminum Foil @ $3.00 USD per box

Baby Food Jars - assorted

without lids

Each set includes 4 small, 4 medium and 4 large glass jars.


#1260: Baby Food Jars - assorted @ $4.00 USD per dozen set

Batteries

size-D, alkaline

These are basic workhorse brands, available everywhere.


#1440: Batteries @ $1.90 USD each

Bottle Caps

crimped-edge, new

Ideal for counting, uniform weights, and mini-containers to hold small portions of chemicals. These unused caps flare more widely than recycled caps. Used bottle caps, if unbent/undamaged, are an excellent free alternative.


#1470: Bottle Caps @ $1.25 USD per 40

Clothespins

wooden, spring-action

These are handy lab items to keep in stock. We use them as bulb holders, tongs, clips, and more.


#1100: Clothespins @ $1.00 USD per 10

Flashlight Bulbs

4.5 volt, with collar

This traditional filament bulb shines reliably bright (won't blow out) with 3 size-D batteries, yet still glows visibly with just 1 battery. Used in #19 Electricity, #32 Electricity, and #91 Global TOPS.

Tips on shopping elsewhere: Select bulbs with protruding metal 'collars' to facilitate secure integration into clothespin bulb-holders. Use just one bulb brand and resistance rating so all bulbs shine with equal brightness when powered by equal voltage.


#1270: Flashlight Bulbs @ $2.30 USD each

Magnet - ceramic

rectangle, 3/16 inch thick

Your basic refrigerator magnet, about the width and length of a large postage stamp, with N and S poles on each face and a hole in the middle. A useful and popular science supply used in may TOPS titles. Purchase at least 2 per student.


#1050: Magnet - ceramic @ $0.40 USD each

Nails - 2 1/2 inch

steel carpenter's flat-head nail, 10-penny

Used in some TOPS titles. A surprisingly handy scientific supply.


#1330: Nails - 2 1/2 inch @ $0.15 USD each

Paper Clips

size #1, steel, box of 100

Paper clips have 1001 uses in TOPS experiments, and science in general. Feel free to use paper clips you already have, but be aware that different brands come in different sizes and weights. In experiments where uniformity is important, don't mix brands.


#1020: Paper Clips @ $1.40 USD per box

Rubber Bands - assorted

10 grams each of thin, medium and thick

You get 30 grams of soft, strong, durable rubber bands: thin #16 (about 50), medium #32 (about 20), and heavy-duty #64 (about 10). These sizes are specifically selected to work in most TOPS experiments.


#1140: Rubber Bands - assorted @ $1.30 USD per bag

Steel Wool

fine grade, unsoaped

A handy lab supply, for studying electricity. Each pad is about the size of a classic Shredded Wheat biscuit. Used in #11 Oxidation and #32 Electricity.


#1210: Steel Wool @ $1.00 USD per pad

Straight Pins

steel, one and 1/16 inch long

Used in many TOPS experiments. Sometimes required for their magnetic properties. Don't purchase aluminum straight pins by mistake.


#1030: Straight Pins @ $3.00 USD per pkg of 150

Tape - clear

3/4 inch x 1000 inch roll

Your standard desk tape with matte write-on surface.


#1011: Tape - clear @ $1.90 USD each

Tape - masking

3/4 inch x 60 yd roll

A handy science supply used in most TOPS modules.


#1010: Tape - masking @ $1.20 USD roll

Thread

light duty, 25 yd spool

Just plain old thread. Used in many TOPS titles, especially in Pendulums #34.


#1130: Thread @ $0.25 USD per spool

Wire - wrapping

100 feet, plastic insulated

Also called magnet wire or bell wire. This science-lab staple is used in #19 Electricity, #20 Magnetism, #33 Magnetism, and #91 Global TOPS.

Wrapping wire may be recycled from old motors or transformers. If insulated with paint rather than plastic tubing, end leads will need to be sandpapered clean, not stripped with pliers.


#1301: Wire - wrapping @ $7.90 USD per roll

Teaching Tips for #91 Global TOPS Resource Manual:

We encourage improvisation - it's one of the main goals of our hands-on approach! You and your students might invent a simpler, sturdier or more accurate system; might ask a better question; might design a better extension. Hooray for ingenuity! When this occurs, we'd love to hear about it and share it with other educators. Please send ideas and photos to tops@canby.com.

Lesson by Lesson Objectives for #91 Global TOPS Resource Manual:

A. INVESTIGATING PENDULUMS
1. 1. To observe a pendulum and describe its motion. To understand, in qualitative terms, how the frequency of a pendulum changes with length.
2. 2. To make a pendulum that ticks out time like a clock -- 60 cycles per minute.
3. 3. To determine if changes in bob weight affect the frequency of a pendulum.
4. 4. To determine if changes in amplitude affect the frequency of a pendulum.
5. 5. To understand why the length of a pendulum must be measured from the pivot to the center of the bob.
6. 6. To observe energy transfers in coupled pendulums of equal and unequal length. To appreciate that a pendulum optimally accepts energy when it is delivered in phase with its natural frequency.
7. 7. To observe energy transfers between pendulums that wind around each other. To predict how this motion changes as you make one pendulum longer than the other.

B. PENDULUM MATHEMATICS
8. 1. To find the frequency of a 5 cm, 6 cm and 7 cm pendulum. To discover a short-cut method for determining frequency.
9. 2. To discover a squared relationship between pendulum frequency and length. To apply this relationship in a predictive way.
10. 3. To graph pendulum frequency as a function of length. To read and interpret the resulting graph.
11. 4. To mathematically predict the frequency of paper-clip chains. To confirm these predictions by experiment.
12. 5. To graph how the frequency of a paper-clip chain varies with length.
13. 6. To calculate the square root of two, first by using pendulum ratios, then by using simple geometry.
14. 7. To graph how the weight of the bob affects amplitude decay in a pendulum.

C. BALANCE BEAMS
15. 1. To fold a paper beam to use in a math balance.
16. 2. To complete construction of the math balance.
17. 3. To get acquainted with a math beam. To diagram various ways that paper clips can balance on the beam.
18. 4. To understand that paper clips add up to equal sums on each arm of a balanced beam.
19. 5. To understand that paper clips multiply to equal products on each arm of a balanced beam.
20. 6. To understand the mathematics of balancing. To gain further experience with balance beams.
21. 7. To practice expressing complex balance combinations as mathematical equations.
22. 8. To mathematically predict and then verify a state of balance or imbalance on a math beam.
23. 9. To mathematically predict and then verify whether a balance beam tilts left, right, or remains level.

D. COMPARING MASSES
24. 1. To fold a paper beam to use in an equal-arm balance.
25. 2. To complete construction of an equal-arm balance.
26. 3. To make mass comparisons on a balance beam and thereby generate simple mathematical relationships.
27. 4. To find the mass of common classroom objects using a paper-clip standard of measure.
28. 5. To find the mass of common classroom objects using a mass standard refined to a tenth of a paper clip.
29. 6. To count an unknown quantity of paper clips by comparing their mass to a known number of paper clips on a balance.
30. 7. To develop a series of gram masses to use with the equal arm balance.
31. 8. To graph how the total mass of paper clips increases in direct proportion to their total numbers.
32. 9. To convert from paper clip units of mass to standard gram units. To compare calculated mass values with experimental values.
33. 10. To graph how the mass of seeds increases in direct proportion to their numbers. To understand slope as a function of seed size.

E. DIFFERENT DIMENSIONS
34. 1. To measure distance with a metric ruler. To recognize the metric cube as a basic unit of metric expression.
35. 2. To develop a concrete understanding of area. To learn how to calculate area and express it as squared measure.
36. 3. To develop a concrete understanding of volume. To learn how to calculate volume and express it as cubed measure.
37. 4. To measure a box in one, two, and three dimensions. To distinguish between length, area and volume.
38. 5. To develop a metric volume standard for measuring out small amounts of water.
39. 6. To find volumes using liquid measure. To calibrate a glass jar at the 100 mL level.
40. 7. To distinguish between 5 different units of measure.
41. 8. To find the volume of a can using different instruments of liquid measure. To calibrate a jar in 100mL increments up to 1 liter.
42. 9. To estimate the number of seeds in a can by comparing volumes.
43. 10. To correlate the mass of a substance with its floating and sinking characteristics.

F. TALKING METRIC
44. 1. To understand the language of metric prefixes. To learn how to make metric conversions by moving the decimal point.
45. 2. To estimate large numbers. To understand metric multiples in concrete terms.
46. 3. To visualize how metric units fit together as multiples of 10. To practice expressing one measure in terms of another.
47. 4. To become familiar with 42 important interrelated facts about metric volume, mass, and length.
48. 5. To firmly link metric units with common conversion factors and concrete images.
49. 6. To memorize metric relationships in a fun way.

G. SIGNIFICANT FIGURES
50. 1. To learn how to read a ruler accurately, estimating the last digit.
51. 2. To distinguish between certain figures and uncertain figures. To appreciate that no measurement is exact.
52. 3. To practice reading a hairline (in significant figures) that crosses rulers calibrated in centimeters and millimeters.
53. 4. To practice measuring accurately with a ruler. To recognize that estimating is always necessary, no matter how accurate the ruler.
54. 5. To practice measuring physical objects with a meter tape. To estimate the last digit.
55. 6. To discover basic body proportions by making accurate measurements with a meter tape. To appreciate that body units of measure are not standard.

H. BULBS AND BATTERIES
56. 1. To discover by trial and error how to light a bulb with a dry cell and ribbon.
57. 2. To further explore by trial and error the different ways to light a bulb with dry cell and ribbon.
58. 3. To use the idea of contact points to predict if a bulb will light. To test these predictions by experiment.
59. 4. To learn how to connect cells in series and opposition. To understand how this affects bulb brightness.
60. 5. To learn how to connect cells in parallel. To understand how this affects bulb brightness.
61. 6. To use a bulb and dry cell to test whether common materials in the classroom are conductors or insulators.
62. 7. To construct a circuit puzzle. To find by trial and error those holes that are connected and those that are not.

I. CIRCUITS
63. 1. To make a bulb holder and dry cell holder to use in later activities.
64. 2. To make a switch and integrate it into a simple circuit. To study how alternate pathways around the bulb and switch affect a simple circuit.
65. 3. To learn how to draw simple circuit diagrams using accepted symbols. To predict how electrons flow through these circuits.
66. 4. To practice mapping and drawing more complicated circuit diagrams. To predict how electrons flow through these circuits.
67. 5. To learn how to connect dry cells to achieve maximum brightness.
68. 6. To understand why electricians wire buildings in parallel, rather than in series.
69. 7. To build 2-way switches and integrate them into a circuit. To understand how they work.

J. ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE
70. 1. To understand how length and diameter affect electrical resistance in wire.
71. 2. To watch a miniature fireworks show! To appreciate that high electrical resistance creates heat and light.
72. 3. To appreciate that the flow of electricity decreases with increased resistance.
73. 4. To understand how fuses work to protect circuits from shorts and overloads.

K. MAGNETS
74. 1. To recognize that only a few metals, like iron and steel, are attracted by a magnet.
75. 2. To identify, then label, the north and south poles on unmarked magnets by using the Earth's magnetic field as a reference.
76. 3. To observe interactions between rotating magnetic fields.
77. 4. To observe that a magnetic field passes unchanged through solid objects unless they are magnetic.
78. 5. To graph how the strength of a magnet decreases with increased distance from the magnet.

L. MAGNETIC FIELDS
79. 1. To build a pin compass and observe how it works.
80. 2. To practice finding directions with a compass.
81. 3. To practice using a compass to determine directions between reference points in the classroom.
82. 4. To map the shape of a magnetic field that surrounds a magnet.
83. 5. To map the shape of two interacting magnetic fields that attract.
84. 6. To map the shape of two interacting magnetic fields that repel.

M. INVENTIONS
85. 1. To learn how to construct and use an electromagnet. To appreciate that electromagnets are temporary, working only as electricity passes through the coil.
86. 2. To build two simplified models of an electric motor. To understand how they work.
87. 3. To build a working model of a telegraph. To understand how it works.
88. 4. To build a working model of a buzzer. To understand how it works.
89. 5. To build an on-off motor that spins by bouncing.

N. ANIMALS
90. 1. To observe similarities and differences between yourself and another animal.
91. 2. To provide a generalized form useful for observing a diversity of animal life, both in and out of the classroom. To understand the distinction between an observation and an hypothesis.
92. 3. To appreciate how each body part helps a bird survive in its own particular environment.
93. 4. To camouflage paper moths so they blend into the patterns and textures of classroom surfaces.
94. 5. To examine speed, endurance, and camouflage as survival techniques. To consider the trade-offs.
95. 6. To recall many different ways that animals survive. To relate animal survival strategies to variations in habitat.

O. PLANTS
96. 1. To compare and contrast two kinds of seeds in words and pictures. To sprout these seeds in a warm, moist environment.
97. 2. To study the effects of light and darkness on the germination and growth of seeds.
98. 3. To construct an inexpensive, low-maintenance, space-conserving system for growing plants.
99. 4. To record in words and pictures the daily development and growth of germinating seeds.
100. 5. To accurately track the growth of seedlings over 3 weekly intervals on a drawing grid.

National Science Education Standards (NRC 1996) for #91 Global TOPS Resource Manual:

TEACHING Standards

These 100 activity sheets promote excellence in science teaching by these NSES criteria:
Teachers of science...
A: ...plan an inquiry-based science program. (p. 30)
B: ...guide and facilitate learning. (p. 32)
C: ...engage in ongoing assessment of their teaching and of student learning. (p. 37)
D: ...design and manage learning environments that provide students with the time, space, and resources needed for learning science. (p. 43)

CONTENT Standards

These 100 activity sheets contain fundamental content as defined by these NSES guidelines (p. 109).
• Represent a central event or phenomenon in the natural world.
• Represent a central scientific idea and organizing principle.
• Have rich explanatory power.
• Guide fruitful investigations.
• Apply to situations and contexts common to everyday experiences.
• Can be linked to meaningful learning experiences.
• Are developmentally appropriate for students at the grade level specified.

Unifying Concepts and Processes

NSES Framework: Systems, order, and organization • Evidence, models and explanation • Constancy, change, and measurement • Evolution and equilibrium • Form and function
Core Concepts/Processes: Interdisciplinary integrative studies organize around 15 everyday materials plus common recyclables.

Science as Inquiry (content standard A)

NSES Framework: Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations. • Design and conduct a scientific investigation. • Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data. • Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence. • Think critically and logically to connect evidence and explanations. • Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and predictions. • Communicate scientific procedures and explanations. • Use mathematics in all aspects of scientific inquiry.
Core Inquiries: Fifteen simple materials (paper clips, masking tape, clothespins and such), drive 100 lessons.

Physical Science (content standard B)

NSES Framework: Position and motion of objects • Light, heat, electricity, and magnetism • Properties and changes of properties in matter • Motions and forces • Transfer of energy • Interactions of energy and matter
Core Content: Pendulums • Electricity • Magnetism • Balance-beams • Comparing masses • Length, area and volume • Dry and liquid measure • Metric system logic • Significant figures

Life Science (content standard C)

NSES Framework: Structure and function in living systems • Organisms and environments • Behavior of organisms
Core Content: Observation of plants and animals • Adaptations • Camouflage • Seed germination • Variables affecting growing and development.

Science and Technology (content standard E)

NSES Framework: Abilities of technological design • Understanding about science and technology
Core Content: You don't need fancy equipment to teach solid science. Just improvise! Fifteen everyday materials drive 100 hands-on, minds-on experiments.

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives (content standard F)

NSES Framework: Science and technology in local challenge • Science and technology in local, national and global challenges
Core Content: Take your science 'supply room' with you, in a box under your arm, anywhere in the world. • Teach hands-on science and math anywhere in the world with few educational or lab resources.