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Introduction to separating mixtures lesson

Teacher: Adelyn Lyon
Subject and grade level: Science, 5th grade
Location: Mountain View, CA
Brief Description: Science lesson on separating mixtures
Curriculum: Lesson plan (adapted from the FOSS Curriculum Mixtures and Solutions Unit)
Samples of Student Work: EL students | Non-EL students | Blank Worksheet
Video transcripts: Part 1 | Part 2

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Part 1: Lesson Launch (Clip length: 30:04 minutes)

Part 2: Lab Activity (Clip length: Clip 29:13 minutes)

Context Information

Classroom context: Diverse classroom with 31 students. Student demographics:  Latino(a): 16; Pacific Islander: 1; African American: 3; White/Asian: 2; Asian/Latino: 3; White (not hispanic): 6. There were 13 students classified as English Learners (ELs) and 3 as Fluent-English Proficient (FEP). Most of the ELs have intermediate level English skills.
Curriculum: FOSS Mixtures and Solutions Unit
Learning goals:

The science learning goals for the unit were
a) Students will come to know and understand that
• A mixture combines two or more materials that retain their own properties.
• A solution forms when a material dissolves in a liquid (solvent) and cannot be retrieved with a filter.
• Evaporation can separate a liquid from a solid in a solution.
• The solid material separated by evaporation from a solution forms distinctive patterns
b) Students will develop scientific thinking skills to conduct investigations and build explanations, and develop science process skills such as observing, communicating, comparing, organizing, and relating.

The language and literacy learning goals for the unit were:
1. Students will be able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with classmates and the teacher about the study of mixtures.
2. Students will be able to use science and academic vocabulary, and transition words to develop and write a coherent action plan to separate a mixture.
3. Students will be able to analyze and revise their written plan for separating the mixture, and recount orally and in writing what happened in the lab.

Notes:
a. The total lesson time was 1 hr 40 minutes.

c. The FOSS science curriculum and kits are used in this school and district.