Curated OER
Matter
First graders are read a story about the various stages of matter with a focus on gases. Using a ziploc bag, they capture as much air as possible and discuss how it takes up space even though it is invisible. To end the instructional...
Curated OER
Matter for Minors
Students use streaming videos, web sites, and hands on activities students to explore matter. They focus on how temperature affects matter and what the particles look like in the states of matter.
Curated OER
Ice Cream in a Bag
Pupils observe phase change of matter by making ice cream in bags. For this states of matter lesson, students work in pairs to churn their own ice cream in plastic bags. They make predictions about how long it will take for the milk to...
Curated OER
Oobleck
Students examine states of matter. For this solids and liquids lesson, students conduct a scientific investigation that requires them to make oobleck and record their observations pertaining to it.
Columbus City Schools
What’s Up with Matter?
Take a "conservative" approach to planning your next unit on mass and matter! What better way to answer "But where did the gas go?" than with a lab designed to promote good report writing, research skills, and detailed observation....
Concord Consortium
Charged and Neutral Atoms
Do charged and neutral particles behave differently as they undergo phase changes? Science sleuths examine two types of attractive forces using an informative interactive. Pupils can vary the amount of Van der Waals attraction present...
Curated OER
Solids, Liquids and Gases - Part 2
Young scholars experiment with balloons, soda water and raisins to find out about the states of matter. In this solids, liquids and gases lesson, students complete a group activity with balloons to recognize the state of matter in...
Curated OER
Understanding Chemical Equations
In this chemical equations worksheet, students identify the reactants and the products, state what phase each is in, and state the mole ratios of all the products and reactants. Students complete 10 problems.
Curated OER
Water 1: Water and Ice
Students investigate water in its solid and liquid form. In this states of matter lesson, students experiment to see what happens as water goes from a solid, ice, to a liquid, water, and back again. They write about and illustrate the...
Curated OER
Outrageous Ooze
Students examine states of matter. In this solids and liquids lesson, students conduct a scientific investigation that requires them to make ooze and record their observations pertaining to it.
Curated OER
Water and Ice
Learners explore water as it changes states of matter. In this physical property instructional activity, students use observation, measurement, and communication skills to describe changes in water as it goes from a solid to a liquid and...
Curated OER
Solids and Liquids
Students complete activities to study the properties of solids and liquids. For this states of matter lesson, students investigate the melting and freezing of a range of materials in a virtual experiment. Students melt the substances and...
Curated OER
States of Matter
First graders break into groups of five students and are given 15 different objects and 3 posters. They group the objects into 3 different families with all the objects in each category placed on one of the posters. They choose whatever...
Channel Islands Film
Human Impact on the Food Web of Santa Cruz Island
What happens when a non-native species is introduced onto an island? Santa Cruz Island, part of the Channel Island chain located off the coast of southern California, provides the perfect laboratory for young environmental scientists to...
Curated OER
Comparing Matter
Students use Internet to research and discover states of matter and explain how molecules are arranged in each state, complete Comparing Matter Work Sheet, and identify objects around classroom that fit three states of matter definitions.
Curated OER
Permafrost: Permanently Frozen Ground
Young scholars explore permafrost. In this 3 states of matter lesson, students identify characteristics of solids and liquids. Young scholars observe water and soil melting and freezing at various temperatures. Students...
Curated OER
States of Matter
Students categorize items into one of the three states of matter. They participate in a demonstration in which they represent particles of matter. Finally, they complete an experiment in which they "race" top see who can make acetone...
American Chemical Society
Exploring Moisture on the Outside of a Cold Cup: For Dry Environments
If the area you live in is arid, or the preceding experiment in this unit didn't yield obvious results, use this one in place of it to help reveal where condensation comes from. The mini unit that this is part of a comprehensive...
Heritage Foundation
The Office of the Executive
An executive is not just a leader of a company; you can also use the term to describe the president of the United States. The ninth part of a 20-part unit teaches high schoolers about the importance of the executive branch and the...
Baylor College
What Is the Water Cycle?
Small groups place sand and ice in a covered box, place the box in the sunlight, then observe as evaporation, condensation, and precipitation occur. These models serve as miniature water cycles and demonstrations of the three phases of...
Curated OER
Energy and Changes of State
Students complete a variety of labs to help them explain how energy affects the changes in states of matter. They also be required to collect and record data, graph data, and apply interpretations of that data.
Curated OER
Physical Changes to Matter
Pupils explore matter by conducting an in-class experiment. They experiment with water's various forms by melting and freezing water, identifying its new shape. These observations are recorded to supplement later discussion. They also...
Curated OER
Chemical Wonders
Students read about and discuss how chemical engineers use different states of matter to create substances. In this chemical engineering lesson plan, students also give examples of the 3 kinds of matter.
Curated OER
Melting, Freezing, and More!: Phase Transitions
Third graders listen to a talk on phase transitions and view three demonstrations. In this phases of matter instructional activity, 3rd graders complete a worksheet as they listen about phase transitions. They move through three...