Exploring Solutions Worksheet

Name:

Date:

🎯 Learning Goals

WALT (We Are Learning To):

• Distinguish between solutions and mixtures using everyday materials
• Identify solutes and solvents in common solutions
• Select appropriate separation methods for different mixtures

Success Criteria:

✓ I can correctly identify 3 out of 3 solutions vs mixtures
✓ I can name the solute and solvent in 2 different solutions
✓ I can choose the correct separation method for 2 different mixtures
✓ I can follow safety procedures throughout the investigation

Materials Needed:

Water, salt, sugar, cooking oil, clear cups, teaspoons, coffee filter, labels, paper towel

🧪 Part 1: Making and Testing Mixtures

Step 1: Make these three mixtures in separate cups:

Cup A: 1 teaspoon salt + 100ml water (stir well)
Cup B: 1 teaspoon sugar + 100ml water (stir well)
Cup C: 1 teaspoon cooking oil + 100ml water (stir well)

1. After stirring, which mixtures look clear?

Cup A (salt water)

Cup B (sugar water)

Cup C (oil and water)

2. A solution forms when one substance completely dissolves in another. Which cups contain solutions?

Cup A only

Cup B only

Cups A and B

All three cups

3. In salt water, which is the solute (substance being dissolved)?

Salt

Water

Both salt and water

Completion Check:

I completed Step 1 safely

🔬 Part 2: Separation Methods

Step 2: Your teacher will help you separate sand from water using a coffee filter.

4. Filtering works best to separate:

Two liquids that don't mix

A solid from a liquid

A solution back into its parts

5. To get salt back from salt water, the best method would be:

Filtering

Evaporation

Stirring more

6. Which safety rule is most important during this investigation?

Wear safety glasses at all times

Don't taste any mixtures

Work in complete silence

Completion Checks:

I completed the filtering activity safely

I followed all safety procedures

I cleaned up my workspace

Optional Reflection:

What surprised you most about solutions and mixtures today?

📋 Teacher Assessment Rubric

Level 4 - Excellent: Correctly identifies all solutions/mixtures, names solute/solvent accurately, selects appropriate separation methods, follows safety procedures consistently

Level 3 - Good: Identifies most solutions/mixtures correctly, shows good understanding of solute/solvent, mostly appropriate separation method choices, generally safe

Level 2 - Satisfactory: Some correct identification of solutions/mixtures, basic understanding of solute/solvent, some appropriate choices, safe with reminders

Level 1 - Developing: Limited identification accuracy, unclear understanding of key terms, inappropriate method choices, requires constant safety supervision

Student Level Achieved: _______