Lesson Plan- Items to include/Consider

Title, Grade, Subject Area, and Time Required- REQUIRED

Where did the snow go?–A lesson on changes in density
2nd Grade
Math/Science
45/60 Minutes
Introduction/Overview-REQUIRED
Using the subjects of Math and Science, Students will be able to see what happens when they combine
liquid
Learning outcomes-REQUIRED
Objective: Students will change the density of powdered sugar by adding a liquid. They will use the
changed sugar to decorate a snowflake cookie.
******UPDATED******
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
2-PS1-1. Plan and investigate
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems
in K–2 builds on prior experiences and progresses to simple investigations, based on fair
tests, which provide data to support explanations or design solutions.

• Plan and investigate collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for
evidence to answer a question.

to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties.

[Clarification Statement: Observations could include color, texture, hardness, and
flexibility. Patterns could include the similar properties that different materials share.]

The performance expectation above was developed using the following elements from the NRC
document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:
Science and Engineering Disciplinary Core Ideas Crosscutting Concepts
Practices PS1.A: Structure and Properties Patterns
Planning and Carrying Out of Matter • Patterns in the natural and
Investigations • Different kinds of matter human designed world can
Planning and carrying out exist and many of them can be observed.
investigations to answer be either solid or liquid,
questions or test solutions to depending on temperature.
problems in K–2 builds on prior Matter can be described and
experiences and progresses to classified by its observable
simple investigations, based on properties.
fair tests, which provide data to
support explanations or design
solutions.
• Plan and conduct an
investigation collaboratively to
produce data to serve as the
basis for evidence to answer a
question.
Curriculum alignment-REQUIRED
When liquid is added to powdered sugar, the sugar dissolves into the liquid, increasing the density of the
sugar. The amount of air between the particles of sugar is reduced, causing the sugar to take up less room
in the cup. This is like how the density of snow is changed when it melts. The air between the snowflakes
is reduced as the snow becomes a liquid.
Snowy fact: If a snowstorm produces a light fluffy snow, then it is possible for 10 inches of snow to melt
into merely 1 inch of water.
*Hint: After completing the demonstration the class can create buttercream icing that may taste better
than the plain powdered sugar and milk mixture.
Materials needed-REQUIRED
2 pounds powdered sugar
Milk (2 TBSP per demonstration)
Prebaked sugar cookies
Colored granulated sugar
Vanilla and butter (optional)
Set of measuring cups and spoons
Spoon and spreading knife
Parchment paper
Attached photo to accompany instructions
Technology resources-REQUIRED
Film a video using my personal camera on how I could create a snowflake,
Upload it
Load it on Students IPad to watch, so they can work step by step.
Websites and APPS- REQUIRED
YouTube Videos
Pre-activities-REQUIRED
Ask if the students have ever helped parents in the kitchen with baking.
Share Stories
Activities-REQUIRED
1. Ask: How do you think snow melts? What happens when it melts?
Explain that when snow melts, the density (how much space it fills) changes. The students will see how
this is done by dissolving powdered sugar.
2. Direct a student to fill a measuring cup with powdered sugar, making sure that the sugar is not packed
into the cup. Level the top with the handle of the spoon.
Ask: Is the cup full of sugar? Let’s see if we can change that.
3. Direct a student to pour 1 teaspoon of milk into the center of the cup of sugar.
Ask: What is happening to the powdered sugar?
3. Direct another student to add a second spoon of milk. A third, etc. Observe what happens to the sugar.
Use no more than a total of 6 teaspoons.
Ask: Why does it look like there is less sugar in the cup? Where did it go?
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3.
5. Stir the contents of the cup into a bowl, adding 2 teaspoons of vanilla to flavor.*
6. Create snowflakes that are 1.75″ in diameter from the parchment paper.
7. Cover the cookies with the powdered sugar icing.
8. Place the parchment snowflake on top of the cookie and sprinkle generously with colored sugar,
tapping off the extra before removing the snowflake pattern. A clean pin helps remove the parchment
snowflakes from the icing. Assessment- REQUIRED
Supplemental information- RECOMMENDED- THINK SUBSTITUTE!
All the info for the plan is in the binder on my desk.
Critical vocabulary- RECOMMENDED
Liquid, Powdered Sugar, Measure, Density, More, Less
Comments-RECOMMENDED
The kids like to have fun, and be hands on, this will be great for them to get dirty.