Properties of Water Lesson Plan – Biology Teaching Ideas

Capture Curiosity with the Properties of Water – Step 1

I like to start my properties of water lesson plan with a dramatic flair. I spill water out of a plastic water bottle onto a desk or table. Give the kids a chance to see what happens then use a paper towel to sweep it off the surface (usually into a trash can). I might say something like, “isn’t that interesting”.

If there is a sink or cup, I will pour the water out of the bottle. Follow it up by saying, “No matter what I do there is always some water stuck inside when I pour or rinse these out. Does that happen to you?”. I use these to activate prior knowledge and build engagement through curiosity, play, and some old fashioned bloopers.

I will either move forward into what they think is happening informally or I might show a slide and have them discuss in groups. This is dependent on the class day, students in the class, and time constraints. I encourage them to make observations. Then I pose a leading question and it is usually phrased like this, ” what do you think is going on?“.

Step 2 – Get Them Thinking about Chemistry and Water

From there I might start interjecting some vocabulary in as we have a discussion. For these early discussions, I focus on hydrophobic, hydrophilic, polar, non polar, and hydrogen bonding. I like my students to make a glossary for each unit so they get used to covering vocabulary pretty quickly.

In these discussions, they might say things like, “it stuck to the water bottle” or “it made a puddle”. As observations are offered in whole group discussion, I might pop up a term that is related. I don’t expect them to add them to the glossary at this point, we are just talking.

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Step 3 – Get Their Hands Wet

The next step will be for them to work with water. I use an old lab activity. How many drops of water can a penny hold? It doesn’t matter the age of the group – they always love it.

I have them do three trials because they will typically find that they can perfect their technique and increase the number of drops. They do this activity on a paper towel. Which gives an extra discussion point (capillary action and paper towels). Exploring the adhesive and cohesive nature of water. This nature is the underlying cause for many of the properties of water.

I also have them add 15 water drops on a penny and then add salt and pepper and observe what happens. The water will go straight through and the pepper will float on top. This attributed to the polar nature of water. Salt is hydrophilic and pepper is hydrophobic. I get my pipettes from Amazon.

If we have time we do a couple more things:

Water Stretch: Take a drop of water on wax paper. Add a toothpick and see if you can stretch it out.
Water and Oil Mixing: Add oil and water to a container (I suggest one with a lid or a beaker and stirring rod). Will they mix? Why or why not?
Ice: This one is easy and they’ve seen before. Add an ice cube to a beaker of water and let them observe what happens.

This lets them see water in action.

Step 4 – Explaining the Properties of Water

Once the kids have had a chance to explore and make observations. We start making connections between what they already know, what they’ve seen in lab, some of the new vocabulary I’ve introduced, and the new information they will be learning.

The properties of water are like the characteristics of life – fluid. It all depends on the source as to exactly how many and what they are. I present them as:

High Heat Capacity
Hight Heat of Vaporization
Universal Solvent
Participates in Chemical Reactions
High Surface Tension (relates to density as well)

All of the properties of water are dependent on the chemical characteristics of water: polarity, hydrogen bonding, adhesion, and cohesion.

I typically have students take notes during this section. We will also work on the their glossary page(s). I try to keep note taking to a minimum (10 minutes or so at a time), but I think it is super important. Our college bound students will need to take notes and be able to use notes for reference.

From there we go on to practice and reinforce what we are learning. This might go into the next day depending on class schedule. I’ve taught in 1.5 hour block, 45-55 minute classes, and of course we have abbreviated schedules to worry about.

Ideas for Reinforcing Concepts – Step 5

I like to create lots of chances for retrieval practice. This is one of the many study skills that I see lacking in my college students and try to really model it for my high school students. Students will often stop studying because they understand before they know the material.

While I think there is an argument that students have access to more knowledge than ever at their fingertips, the reality is that our college bound students will still be required to have LOTS of information memorized. This is especially true of Pre-Allied Health students so I think it is important for them to get the chance develop this skill.

Some of my favorites for the Properties of Water Lesson:

Scenario & Sort Cards: create a list of scenarios that describe water in action and then sort by the property of water. I have one ready to go if you don’t want to make your own. It includes Google Slides and PPTX editable files for the cards!
Review Games: Quiz Show or Digital Task Cards are great for this
An Escape Room
I also incorporate book assignments and worksheets.
For vocabulary practice, I started using mystery worksheets and they have been a hit.