Presentation

  1. 1

    Fill each pair with water at one of the four temperatures, close the lids, and dry the outsides.

  2. 2

    Place the bottles at random on the table.

  3. 3

    Hold one bottle in both hands or touch it with the inside of the wrist; then touch others to find the one that feels the same.

  4. 4

    Place the pair together.

  5. 5

    Continue until all four pairs are made.

  6. 6

    Give three-period lessons: "hot, warm, cool, cold".

  7. 7

    Grade one bottle from each pair from hottest to coldest.

Extensions, easiest to hardest

  1. Pair the bottles blindfolded.
  2. Grade the bottles blindfolded.
  3. Refill the bottles after 20 minutes and notice the water has moved toward room temperature.

Control of error

Matching marks on the bottom of each pair; the guide also knows which pair was filled at each temperature.

Ready to move on when the child…

  • Pairs all four bottles
  • Grades hottest to coldest
  • Uses hot/warm/cool/cold correctly

Guide note

Safety: the "hot" water must not be hotter than about 45 °C (113 °F). The guide fills the bottles; children do not handle hot water.

Try “pink tower”, “tummy”, “diaper”, “grace and courtesy”, or “October”.