Critical thinking in Weka

Science
In Ruma Weka, we did an experiment called dancing popcorn where you put popcorn kernels in a jar of vinegar and baking soda and watch the reaction.
We predicted what we thought might happen but the experiment didn’t quite go as planned. The jar overflowed when we poured the vinegar in and went everywhere. We had to then think about what we saw happen and why and what we might be able to do to make it work best next. The class decided that if we poured the vinegar in really quickly and then put the lid on it might work better. Before we tried it, we talked about what might happen with the lid on and came up with lots of different ideas. Then we tried it again and afterwards reflected again on what we saw.


Measurement
The question was posed to the class - How could I measure the length of the classroom from one side to the other without a ruler?
The students responded with some ideas
- making a guess
- using a piece of string
- making a ruler out of paper

Then the student said  - Using my body lying down

We decided to try the student’s idea.
First, he tried lying down and getting someone to point to where his head stopped and then student stood up and moved to the other side of the finger and laid down again. He did this a few times.

Another child then said - He didn’t lie in the right place, student’s finger moved.

I then asked, how could we do it differently so that we don’t miss bits?
Someone else came up with the idea for them to all lie-down head to toe from one side of the class to the other.

They all lie down with two children standing and making sure that there are no gaps in the measuring. Once they reach the end they count.