Observing changing states

1. Set up your enquiry: During the summer months, place an ice block in direct sunlight – perhaps on a sunny windowsill – and observe as it changes state. Prompt learners to consider what changes are occurring with ‘I wonder’ statements.  
2. Introduce relevant vocabulary including ‘melting’, ‘changing state’, ‘solid’ and ‘liquid’ and encourage learners to use these whilst predicting and observing the changes.
3. In the following session, place one ice block in sunlight and one ice block under a tree or in the shade. Now invite learners to observe both ice blocks and predict which will melt first and why, discussing the experiment as a group. Invite learners to think about what will happen, observe and explore the outcome through ‘I wonder’ statements.  
4. In the next session, read The Bear in the Stars by Alexis Snell and link the story to the melting ice you have been observing. Create a safe space for learners to draw similarities between the ice that they have observed and the polar bear’s habitat. Learners will have varying levels of understanding on climate change and habitat loss, and this should be a safe space to discuss learners' worries and misconceptions.
5. Once learners have been exposed to new vocabulary, they can further explore these concepts by leaving ice blocks in a tuff tray. To encourage child-led discovery, place objects inside the ice or place the ice in water and allow learners to explore. 

‘I wonder’ statements    

• I wonder which ice cube will melt first
• I wonder how the ice will change
• I wonder what will happen if we place the ice blocks in different places
• I wonder which will melt first – a large or small ice block