Introduction and Summary
The Science Book of Water by Neil Ardley is a book of experiments that help students understand some of the different properties of water, such as buoyancy, density, displacement, surface tension, evaporation, etc. The experiments can be easily done in the classroom or at home because most households will have the supplies needed. Also, most of the experiments can be done in four to six simple steps. One experiment called “Floating and Sinking” shows how objects, such as marbles and modeling clay, will sink to the bottom of a bucket. However, if the modeling clay is shaped in the form of a boat, it will float because of the water it displaces. There are twelve other experiments in this book.
Curriculum Connections
This would be an excellent book to teach students how a method is devised to test the validity of predictions and inferences (SOL 6.1.e). Also, for each experiment, “a question is developed and predictions are made from one or more observations (SOL K.1.g).”
Additional Resources
- Properties of Water
- The Water Cycle This site provides other activities that teachers can do in order to teach their students about the properties of water.
- Other Great Teacher Activities
General Information
Book: The Science Book of Water
Author: Neil Ardley
Photographer: Clive Streeter
Publisher: Harcourt Brace & Company
Publication Date: 1991
Pages: 1-29
Grade Range: 1st & 2nd
ISBN: 0-15-200575-7