This was a cross-curricular lesson between math and science, looking at fractions (different groups used smaller measuring cups to form the same fractions), and understanding solutions through mixing the edible and non-edible ingredients.

Science – Solutions are homogenous (Grade 5)

Which ingredients formed a solution? As the ice melted, the salt and ice mixed together to form salt water – a clear example of a homogenous mixture (solution). The cream and hot chocolate powder did not form a solution as there were clearly two separate substances in the mix (cream and some powder mixed together, but the powder was not fully integrated in to creating only a heterogenous mixture).

Name the two solvents.

  1. Water – in the ice was the solvent in the salt water.
  2. Water (again) – the water content in the cream was the solvent in the edible mixture.

Name the solutes.

  1. Salt – salt water.
  2. Hot chocolate powder – ice cream.

Were there any other things that were happening in the experiment?

When the salt was added to the ice, it lowered the melting point, which both makes the ice feel colder as well as keeps the ice frozen for longer. This allows body heat to be added to the ice, without melting the ice immediately.

Math – Fractions and decimals are types of numbers that can represent quantities. (4) Numbers describe quantities that can be represented by equivalent fractions. (5)

Students needed to measure the salt and ice to create the correct ratio so that the melting point of the ice would be properly lowered. They also measured the cream and hot chocolate powder, where there were a myriad of measuring cups to choose from to create equivalent fractions – students worked in groups, if they were stuck on how many cups, tablespoons, millilitres, or otherwise were needed, they could collaborate to get help. Finally, the mixture that they made had to be shared between three members, splitting the total amount into thirds.

ice-cream-in-a-bagDownload

Core Competency: Collaborating

Facet: Working collectively

Profile: I take on different roles and tasks in the group and work respectfully and safely in our shared space.

First Peoples Principles of Learning: Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational (focused on connectedness, on reciprocal relationships, and a sense of place). 

Curricular Competencies:

  • Identify possible sources of error (S5)
  • Visualize to explore mathematical concepts (M4/5)

Content:

  • Solutions and solubility (S5)
  • ordering and comparing fractions (M4)
  • equivalent fractions (M5)