The fifth graders recently completed a unit on fresh water and salt water. First they divided the Earth into 18 grids and used the smaller sections to find the percentage of fresh, frozen and salt water in the world. They made a class bar graph to record data. Then they made a tiny ocean and added the ratios of salt. They discussed how and why salt disappears. They also talked about ways to prove that it is salty without tasting it. Finally they used brown paper bags to make a terrain and added the salt water to it. As it evaporated, they could see the salt left behind. This proved that salt doesn't disappear entirely, but dissolves. Wow! That's so cool. Way to go, smart fifth graders!
