Curated OER
Sorting Plastics For Recycling
First, young chemists practice polymer identification by density and flame tests. With the data collected, they propose a method of separating polyethylene from other plastics and determine what property makes it desirable for recycling....
Curated OER
Physical and Chemical Changes
Students observe examples of physical changes that can take place between the three states of matter and develop common sense and intuition in distinguishing between chemical and physical changes. They observe diagrams on the board from...
Curated OER
Conservation of Energy
Students investigate the law of conservation of energy. In this conservation of energy lesson plan, students are given a story with several dilemmas to be solved by an equation, knowledge of measurement and knowledge of physical...
Curated OER
Physical and Chemical Properties
In this properties learning exercise, students write the correct term in the spaces beside each definition. Then, students unscramble the letters in the boxes to answer a riddle.
Curated OER
States of Matter Mini-Unit
Middle schoolers identify he phases of matter (solid, liquid, gas), and why they take place. They comprehend what a physical change is and what a chemical change is. Students know the difference between a Mixture and a Solution.
Curated OER
Matter
Third graders are introduced to the topic of matter. As a class, they brainstorm what they already know about matter and its properties. After completing a worksheet, they participate in an experiment in which they observe matter in...
Curated OER
Changes In Matter, "The Big Chill"
Third graders investigate why ice cream does not go through any chemical changes when it is exposed to physical changes. They describe the three states of matter in either written or verbal form. Then students experiment with ice cream...
Curated OER
Classifying Matter
Second graders conduct investigations to explore matter. In this states of matter instructional activity, 2nd graders complete four activities to analyze the three states of matter. Students analyze the properties of solids, liquids, and...
Curated OER
Matter
In this matter learning exercise, students are given 10 sentences with italicized terms that are wrong. Students correct the terms to appropriately fit the sentences. Topics are related to matter such as physical and chemical properties,...
Curated OER
Physical and Chemical Changes
Students examine the different changes in matter. In this chemical change lesson students determine the amount of reactant made in a reaction using the law of conservation.
Curated OER
Teaching Matter with The Wild Christmas Reindeer
Second graders learn the proper way to take measurements, explore the properties of objects and expand their vocabulary.
Curated OER
11 - The Heat Is On
Students observe physical change of melting by observing substance in original state, melting substance, allowing substance to return to original temperature, determining if substance retained its original properties, and recording results.
Curated OER
Matter: Build a Word
Fourth graders examine matter and the periodic table of elements. In this matter lesson, 4th graders discuss atoms and their composition. Students explore the periodic table of elements and use it to spell words out of the elements.
Curated OER
My Science Box
Students investigate snails and their physical and behavioral characteristics. In this investigative lesson students create a pie chart to show the results of their findings.
Curated OER
Carbon: Structure Matters
High schoolers explore the molecular structure of matter and how it can affect the physical characteristics of a specific material. They investigate the role carbon plays in the chemistry of life.
Curated OER
Investigating Viscosity
Viewers define viscosity as resistance to flowing and they compare the viscosity of different liquids. Instructions are not provided, but junior scientists design an experiment to test different liquids and order them from low to...
Nevada Outdoor School
Let It Snow! Let It Melt!
Winter weather offers a great opportunity to teach young scientists about the states of matter. This activity-based lesson includes a range of learning experiences, from experimenting with the rate at which ice melts...
Center for Learning in Action
Water—Changing States (Part 1)
Here is part one of a two-part lesson in which scholars investigate the changing states of water—liquid, solid, and gas. With grand conversation and up to three demonstrations, learners make predictions about what they think will happen...
Center for Learning in Action
Water – Changing States (Part 2)
Here is part two of a two-part lesson in which scholars investigate the changing states of water—liquid, solid, and gas—and how energy from heat changes its molecules. With grand conversation, two demonstrations, and one hands-on...
Beyond Benign
Sublimation
Ah, caffeine! What would some of us do without it? Teach your high school chemistry class the concept of sublimation as they complete a hands-on experiment to visualize the changes caffeine undergoes during heating and cooling....
Curated OER
Ice Cream Blizzards
Fourth graders explore whether the making of homemade ice cream is a physical change or a chemical change in a lab experiment. Students identify states of matter, describe the physical properties of states, and collect temperature data...
Curated OER
Properties of Matter: "Sink or Swim"
Third graders recognize that different materials have different properties which can be observed such as texture and bouyancy, and compare and contrast, through observation, ability of some objects to float because of action of...
Curated OER
Exploring Phases of Matter
Learners discuss and experiment with the phases of water. In this phases of matter lesson plan, students recognize the different states of matter. Learners measure and record changes and understand when the state changes.
Curated OER
Water and Ice: Part 1
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...