Testing Materials

Looking Around 2 — hands-on float-and-sink sorting activity using a tub of water and classroom objects.

• We can test if an object floats or sinks by gently placing it in a tub or bucket of water and watching.
• We sort objects into two groups: "Floats" and "Sinks".
• We can record what we see in a simple table.

Verbal: Testing means trying something out and carefully watching what happens, then recording the result.

Level 1 — How to test

1. Fill a tub or bucket with water.
2. Gently place one object in the water at a time.
3. Watch: does it stay on top (floats) or go down (sinks)?
4. Write the object's name under "Floats" or "Sinks" in a table.

Level 2 — Example table

You test a cork and a coin in a bucket of water. How do you record the results?

Step 1 — Place the cork in water — it stays on top.
Step 2 — Place the coin in water — it goes to the bottom.
Answer: Cork goes in the "Floats" column; coin goes in the "Sinks" column.

• What two groups do we sort objects into during a float-sink test?
• How do you test if an object floats or sinks?

Stretch: Test five objects from your school bag and sort them into a table.

Revision tip: Always test gently and watch quietly so you don't miss what happens.

Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Testing Materials.