Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning Cycle Lesson Plan

For Teachers 3rd
students investigate, develop inferences, and identify general descriptions for each of the three states of matter - solid, liquid, and gas. students investigate water, by observing and stating inferences about, the properties of each...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Matter?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore many of the basic properties of matter including atoms, ions, elements, molecules, and density. The class explores an interactive flash-animated Web site to answer questions and clarify misconceptions they might...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction And Brief History of Materials Science

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students develop an understanding of the concept of matter. They l participate actively in the bubble raft experiment as described on the Center for Thermal Spray Research's website. They demonstrate dislocations and grain...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oobleck!

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students use Oobleck to investigate the properties of colloids. In this Oobleck and colloid lesson, students listen to the beginning of  Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss. They experiment with Oobleck (corn starch, water, and...
Lesson Plan
American Chemical Society

From Gas to Liquid to Solid

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
From gas to liquid condensation to solid frost, water undergoes phase changes before students' eyes! Using ice, salt, water, and a metal can, they set up an investigation that can be used in a physical science setting, or as part of a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore water. In this water lesson, students explore the physical properties and states of water. They observe how water changes states and document what they see.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water and Ice: Part 1

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students observe the state changes in water. In this matter lesson, students observe, measure, and describe water as it changes state. Students explore how water can change from a solid to a liquid then back again. They journal their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Permafrost: Permanently Frozen Ground

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's the Matter?

For Teachers 1st
First graders identify solids, liquids, and gases. In this matter lesson, the teacher guides students through numerous demonstrations as they determine the properties of solids, liquids, and gases and classify things as each. As the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oobleck/Slime War

For Teachers 1st - 8th
Students compare slime recipes. In this properties of matter lesson, students make Oobleck and glurch and compare the properties of each and examine the solid and liquid properties of them.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars explore water and ice. In this 3 states of matter instructional activity, students work with a partner to observe, illustrate, and describe the characteristics of an ice cube in a cup. The ice cube is observed again in...
Handout
National Institute of Open Schooling

Solid State

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
Crystal comes from a Greek word meaning ice. Activity eight in a series of 36 has class members analyzing amorphous and crystalline solids and further classifying them based on their forces. They then explore solids, learning about unit...
Unit Plan
Steinhardt Apps

Kinetic Molecular Theory

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Building off young chemists' knowledge of the states of matter, kinetic molecular theory is the focus of the unit. Eight days of lessons including multiple demonstrations, one lab experiment, directed instruction, and worksheets,...
Handout
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Molecules to the Max!—Teacher's Discovery Guide

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Molecules to the Max! refers to a movie released in 2009 about the world of atoms and molecules. A helpful discovery guide provides five posters on science topics typically covered at the middle school level. It also explains the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

States of Matter

For Teachers 6th - 7th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wright Again: 100 Years of Flight

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Aspiring aeronautical engineers demonstrate different forces as they construct and test paper airplanes. This lesson plan links you to a website that models the most effective paper airplane design, an animation describing the forces...
Lesson Plan
American Chemical Society

Exploring Moisture on the Outside of a Cold Cup

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
As a stand-alone or as part of the intended unit, this is a valid investigation of what causes condensation to occur.  By limiting the amount of air around a cold cup of water and comparing it to one out in the open, they find that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's the Matter?

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Young scholars explore matter.  In this matter and technology lesson, students locate examples of solids, liquids, and gases inside and outside the classroom, and record their findings in a graphic organizer.  Young scholars...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Matter Jeopardy

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore science by participating in a Jeopardy style game. In this matter lesson, 4th graders define matter and identify the characteristics and properties of it. Students collaborate in two teams and utilize a SMART board...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's Ecology

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students investigate the three states of water. In this physical science lesson, students watch the video "Earth's Ecology" and observe water in its' three states. Students record observations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

STATES OF WATER

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students identify the various states of water. They use hypothesizing and hands-on experimenting on changing the states of water, the properties of water, and the role of heating and cooling in the changes of state.
Lesson Plan
California Department of Education

What Matters to Me?

For Teachers 10th Standards
Whether you're a self-starting entrepreneur or a cubicle commando, finding a career that suits your personality is a must! The second lesson in a series of five career and college lesson plans focuses on work ethic and values. Learners...
Activity
Perkins School for the Blind

Conservation of Mass

For Teachers 5th - 12th
How do you teach a student with visual impairments about the conservation of mass? You use tactile models that represent the theoretical concept. Baking soda and vinegar are used to add gas to a deflated balloon. Learners will feel the...
Lesson Plan
Historical Thinking Matters

Social Security: 1 Day Lesson

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Should the United States provide relief for those who are unemployed? Trace this question back to the Great Depression with your young historians, who will engage in careful reading of historical documents and classroom discussion...