Preschool - Science

Float or Sink Preschool Worksheet

6 printable versions - Building Confidence - About 3 minutes each

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Float or Sink

Preschool - Science - Building Confidence

Worksheet 1

  1. The boat stays on top. Which one does that?

    Read aloud: The boat stays on top of the water without sinking. Point to the one that does the same thing.

    One boat.A picture of one boat.boat

  2. The rock went to the bottom. Which one does that?

    Read aloud: The rock went straight down to the bottom of the bowl. Point to the one that does the same thing.

    One rock.A picture of one rock.rock

  3. Here is a cup of water. Which one floats?

    Read aloud: Here is a cup of water. Point to the one that would float on top if you dropped it in.

    One cup.A picture of one cup.cup

  4. Here is a cup of water. Which one sinks?

    Read aloud: Here is a cup of water. Point to the one that would sink down to the bottom of it.

    A group of cups.A set of cups arranged in a single row to be counted.cupcup

  5. Apples float. Which one floats too?

    Read aloud: Apples bob about on top of the water. Point to the one that would do the same.

    A group of apples.A set of apples arranged in rows to be counted.appleapple

  6. A feather floats, a coin sinks. Which is like the feather?

    Read aloud: A feather stays on top of the water and a coin drops to the bottom. Point to the one that behaves like the feather.

    A group of feathers.A set of feathers arranged in a single row to be counted.featherfeather
PencilGopencilgo.ai

About this worksheet

Predicting first and checking afterwards is the whole of early science, and floating is the easiest place to start because the result appears in a second. Each question on this page shows one object and tells your child what it did in the water. The rock went straight to the bottom; which of these does the same? The boat stayed on top; which one does that too? Your child answers by pointing at a picture, so the reading load is zero, and both outcomes are always represented so the picture has to be looked at. The stretch level puts three objects on the page that do one thing and one that does the other, which means every option has to be considered instead of only the first one. Afterwards, fill a bowl and test the safe ones for real. Say the prediction out loud before each object goes in, then watch what actually happens.

What your child will learn

  • Predict whether a familiar object will float or sink
  • Sort objects by what they do in water rather than by size
  • Notice that a small coin sinks while a big apple floats
  • Say a prediction out loud, then check it in a bowl of water

Worked example

The page shows one rock and you say it went straight to the bottom. Of the pictures offered, the coin is the one that does the same, so your child points to the coin.

Common mistake

Deciding from size alone, so every small thing is expected to float and every big thing to sink.

Helpful hint

Ask your child to picture the object set gently on still water: does it stay on top, or go down?

The Four SeasonsPush and Pull

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with float or sink?
Deciding from size alone, so every small thing is expected to float and every big thing to sink.
How can I help my child with float or sink?
Ask your child to picture the object set gently on still water: does it stay on top, or go down?
Are these preschool science worksheets free to print?
Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

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