Design properties

Name
Mystery boxes
Topic
Introduction to Physics
Learning time
50 minutes
Designed time
50 minutes
Size of class
25
Description
Using same sized “mystery boxes” the students will attempt to guess the item inside each box.
Mode of delivery
Classroom-based
Aims
The students will be able to sharpen observation skills to discover items in different sizes of unopened/wrapped boxes. The students will also be able to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with others.
Outcomes
Knowledge, Analysis, Affective learning outcomes
Editor
CristinaN

Timeline controls

Timeline

Evocation
10 minutes)
  • Discuss
    5
    25
    0
    I begin by asking students about some of the “Mysteries” of life that have yet to be solved. For example… cures for some diseases, etc. I tell them how life is a mystery and we don’t know what each day holds. There are things that are mysteries to us that we can learn about and will learn about this year. We discuss ways of finding out and discovering. I show them the 5 mystery boxes I prepared, very similar, but with different items inside: rubber ball; loose toothpicks; a couple of coins; marbles, and others...use your imagination.
  • Collaborate
    5
    5x5
    0
    Divide the class in 5 groups, equal number with the mystery boxes. I explain them the RULES: Remind students they may not open them. Shaking them is permitted. Talk quietly to each other. They are working as scientists. Work cooperatively. As they will discuss what may be in the box, I remind students the importance of listening to each other. Respect opinions of “colleagues.” I also give them the observation page. This is a page, with a chart, where the group secretary will write the final guess for each group member, plus the consensus of the group, which they must agree upon.
Notes:
Resources linked: 0
Realization
30 minutes)
  • Investigate
    20
    0
    Each group will receive one box and will try to guess what is inside. After 3 minutes the boxes will be switched between groups, this way every group will investigate every box. The groups secretaries will write down the consensus of the group for each box. The students really enjoy the guessing part and it helps get them excited about learning new things.
  • Read Watch Listen
    10
    0
    Each group share the consensus for each box. List their guesses on the board for each box number you use. The end can be different, depending on the students reaction. You can leave the boxes closed and explain that Scientists sometimes do not find anything, or you can open them and discover what was inside.
Notes:
Resources linked: 0
Reflection
10 minutes)
  • Discuss
    5
    25
    0
    Ask students what the advantages and disadvantages are of working in a group. Why is it important for scientists to work together? How was their consensus made?
  • Practice
    5
    25
    0
    Assign each student to wrap a mystery box to share with someone in class the next day. Explain them they will switch their box with another and record their observations. Allow them to open and discover if they were right in their guess.
Notes:
Resources linked: 0

Learning Experience

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Social learning graph will not display correctly, because one or more learning types do not have group size set.