Splish Splash Lesson Plan Splish Splash Science
Teacher Lesson Plan
30 Minutes
Pre-K (Ages 3-5)
Why This Lesson?
Young learners are naturally curious about water. This lesson strengthens fine motor skills, introduces basic science concepts like buoyancy and color theory, and fosters wonder through hands-on discovery.
Learning Objective
Engage Pre-K students in playful water experiments to explore sinking vs. floating, color mixing, and water movement—building observation skills and early scientific thinking.
Preparation (10 mins)
Place experiment trays with high edges at each child’s station.
Pre-fill 2 clear plastic cups per child with water.
Sort small objects (stones, corks, plastic toys) into containers.
Arrange liquid watercolor sets with droppers, spoons, and water cups.
Cover tables with paper towels and lay out white construction paper.
Materials Checklist
• High-Edge Trays
• Clear Plastic Cups
• Small Testing Objects
• Liquid Watercolors
• Pipettes / Droppers
• Spoons
• White Construction Paper
• Aprons / Smocks
• Paper Towels
Instructional Sequence
1 Introduction & Warm-Up
5 Minutes
Gather students in a circle. Show a cup of water and a stone. Ask: “What happens if we drop this stone?” Introduce the words sink and float .
2 Sinking & Floating Exploration
10 Minutes
Children move to trays. They choose objects and place them in water.Prompt: “Did it sink or float? Why do you think that happened?” Encourage testing multiple items (heavy vs light).
3 Color Mixing Investigation
8 Minutes
Provide two cups of differently colored water. Demonstrate using a pipette to drip colors onto white paper. Invite children to mix and watch new hues form.Ask: “What new color did you make?”
4 Water Movement Playground
5 Minutes
Drip water onto paper and tilt it. Encourage students to make the water "run" or "flow". Discuss patterns: lines, curves, and drips.
5 Reflection & Clean-Up
2 Minutes
Gather for sharing. Reinforce key vocabulary: sink, float, mix, flow . Assist with cleaning spills and putting materials away.
Splish Splash Slides Splish Splash Science
Let’s become scientists and explore water through hands-on experiments!
Teacher: Welcome, everyone! Today we’re going to be little scientists and have fun exploring water together.
Today’s Plan
1
Sinking & Floating
2
Color Mixing
3
Water Movement Playground
Teacher: Briefly walk students through each activity so they know what to expect. Use enthusiastic tone.
Materials
Experiment Trays
Watercolors
Plastic Cups
Pipettes & Droppers
Small Objects
Construction Paper
Aprons / Smocks
Paper Towels
Teacher: Show each material. Remind students to keep things inside their trays.
Sinking & Floating
1
Pick an object
2
Predict: “Sink” or “Float”?
3
Place it on the water
4
Observe what happens!
SINK
FLOAT
What will happen?
Teacher: Model dropping a stone. Ask: “What do you think will happen?”
Color Mixing Investigation
Add color drops to water
Use pipette to transfer water
Watch new colors form!
=
MAGIC MIXING!
Teacher: Demonstrate using the pipette. Encourage gentle squeezes.
Water Movement Playground
1
Drip water onto your paper
2
Gently tilt the paper
3
Explore lines and curves
Look at it FLOW!
Teacher: Show how tilting makes the water move. Ask students to tilt slowly.
Reflection & Clean-Up
Share one discovery
Review our science words
Wipe up and put away
Teacher: Invite volunteers to share one discovery. Then guide cleanup.
Science Words
sink
go down below the water
float
stay on top of the water
mix
combine into a new color
flow
move like a river
Teacher: Point to each word and ask students to act it out.
Splish Splash Script Splish Splash Science
Facilitation Script
1. Introduction & Warm-Up
Slide 1 & 2
“Hello, little scientists! Welcome to our Splish Splash Science adventure. Today we’re going to explore water and make some amazing discoveries together. Can everyone say, ‘Splish Splash Science’?”
*Wait for students to respond with enthusiasm.*
“Fantastic! First, let’s gather in a circle right here on the floor. Here’s our plan for today: 1. Sinking & Floating, 2. Color Mixing, and 3. Water Movement Playground. Are you ready to become water explorers?”
2. Sinking & Floating
Slide 3 & 4
Show students the stone and the cork.
“I’m handing out your trays, cups of water, and lots of objects—stones, corks, and little toys. First, let’s learn two important words: sink and float . If I drop this stone in the water, do you think it will sink (go down) or float (stay on top)? Show me thumbs-up for float , thumbs-down for sink .”
Drop the stone and observe.
“Wow—it sank! It went right to the bottom. Now it’s your turn. Pick one object. Make a prediction: will it sink or float? Then gently place it on the water. What happened? Why do you think that happened?”
3. Color Mixing Investigation
Slide 5
Demonstrate squeezing the pipette to pick up blue water, then drip onto paper.
“Now we will become color scientists! Each of you has two cups of water with dropper paints. See how blue drops make a puddle. Now—carefully—add red drops next to blue. Watch the colors meet and mix.”
Circulate and engage with students.
“What new color did you make? I see purple, pink, orange—so beautiful! Can you name your new color?”
4. Water Movement Playground
Slide 6
Demonstrate a drop on the paper and tilting it.
“For our last experiment, let’s see how water moves. Use your pipette or spoon to drip a little water onto your paper. Now gently tilt the paper. Who can make a straight line? Who can swirl it in a curve? Look at those patterns! How does the water flow ?”
5. Reflection & Clean-Up
Slide 7 & 8
“Great work, scientists! Let’s gather back in our circle. Who wants to share one thing they discovered today? I heard some of you say your object floated, others said colors mixed into new hues. Let’s say our new words together: sink, float, mix, flow .”
Lead the children in acting out the words.
“Time to clean up! Please hand me your droppers, and let’s wipe spills with paper towels. You all did an amazing job exploring water today. Give yourselves a big round of applause!”
Sinking & Floating Worksheet Water Scientist
Lab Report
Name:
Date:
Sinking or Floating?
Look at each object. Circle whether it Sinks or Floats!
Stone
sink
float
Cork
sink
float
Toy Boat
sink
float
Leaf
sink
float
Color Mixing
Mix the colors and draw the new color you made!
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➔
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Worksheet Answer Key Answer Key
Sinking & Floating Lab Report
Section A: Sinking or Floating?
1. Stone SINK
Thought Process: Stones are dense and heavy. When placed in water, they go down below the surface.
Teacher Tip: Ask “Was it heavy or light?” to reinforce density ideas.
2. Cork FLOAT
Thought Process: Cork is light and full of tiny air pockets. It stays on top of the water.
Teacher Tip: Invite children to notice how cork bobbles gently on the surface.
3. Toy Boat FLOAT
Thought Process: Although made of plastic or wood, the boat’s shape traps air underneath, keeping it on the water.
Teacher Tip: Compare the boat to a solid block. Ask "Why does this shape float?"
4. Leaf FLOAT
Thought Process: Leaves are very light and spread out. Surface tension helps them stay on top.
Teacher Tip: Show how careful placement matters for staying on the surface.
Section B: Color Mixing
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ORANGE
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GREEN
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PURPLE
Grading & Feedback Notes
Conversation: Use these explanations to guide conversations and reinforce vocabulary: sink, float, mix, and flow .Observations: Look for articulation of “heavy/light,” “air,” or “shape” reasons during testing.Color Check: If drawings look off, ask: “What happens if you add more of one color?” to deepen exploration. Water Wonder Warm-Up Water Wonder Warm-Up
Quick Start Activity
3 MINS
Wake up your scientist brains and bodies with these three quick water-themed warm-up activities!
1
Wave Like Water 1 Minute
Have students stand in a circle and stretch their arms wide.
Teacher calls, “Flow like water!” and everyone sways side to side with their arms undulating like waves.
Prompt: “How does water move in the ocean?”
2
Drip-Drop Fingers 1 Minute
Show students how to make a gentle drip by tapping one fingertip on the table or floor: “Drip… drop… drip… drop…”
Experiment with a soft tap vs. a hard tap to mimic small drips and big splashes.
Ask: “Which one is louder? Which one is quieter?”
3
Sink or Float Sneak Peek 1 Minute
Hold up a clear cup of water and two objects (a small stone and a leaf).
Have children show thumbs-up for “float” or thumbs-down for “sink.”
Reinforce the core vocabulary: sink and float .
Ready for the lab?
Reflect & Dry Off Cool Down Reflect & Dry Off
Cool Down Activity
Name: ________________
3 MINUTES
1
Draw your favorite water experiment from today:
2
Draw a face to show how exploring water made you feel:
3
Dry Off!
Stand up and shake your arms like a towel to dry off all the water!
4
Say our four special words and act them out:
SINK (Go Down)
FLOAT (Stay Up)
MIX (Stir)
FLOW (Move)
