The remainder of the activity is simple. Students choose any item from the table to determine if it is transparent, translucent or opaque and record it in the proper column of their chart. They explore every item, being sure to use the list on the chalkboard to help them. Below is a list of some of the items that I bring in. One of the best places to visit to collect lots of glass samples is your local mirror, window or stained glass business.
Plastic is an interesting material to discuss as the students discover that it can be all three.
After our discussion, students record their findings. This is a fun and easy activity for the students to complete. This is an activity that I decided to try at the very beginning of our Rocks and Minerals unit. I was very surprised by how excited the kids got when we did this. About two weeks prior to this activity have the students bring in a shoe box.