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Anatomy of an Element
Learners discuss matter and atoms using this resource. First, they look at a website describing atoms. Then, they learn about the periodic table and discuss how it is organized. Finally, they create a comic strip to display their...
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I'm All Mixed Up
Middle school scientists compare and contrast heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures. They differentiate solutions, colloids, and suspensions by examining samples of each. Note that the bulk of the lesson plan directs you how to...
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Putting the Ice in Hockey
Eighth grade physical science classes examine why the ice on which hockey is played is slippery. They do so by discussing phases of matter and the molecular motion in each. They read an article on a website and write out answers to...
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Blast Off
In this physical science exploration, small groups place a piece of antacid tablet into a film canister and step back to time how long it takes for the top to pop. They repeat the activity, altering either the amount or temperature of...
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It Matters
Students use descriptive vocabulary to discuss the attributes of matter. Then, they sort objects or pictures by the type of matter they are comprised of. Finally, students match objects of matter with similar attributes and create a...
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The Nature of Chemical Change: Acting Out an Example
Students identify the signs that a chemical reaction took place. In this chemistry lesson, students role play the movement of different molecules of matter. They classify matter according to their properties.
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What is an Atom?
Third graders understand that the smallest particle is an atom. In this matter lesson, 3rd graders make a piece of aluminum smaller and smaller to see that what's left is still aluminum. Students recognize that cutting into smaller...
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Earth's Ecology
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.
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Ar.... What Gives?
Learners investigate the properties of air through inflated objects. In this physical science lesson, students examine gas as a state of matter. Student push on inflated objects and note the space the gas has taken up inside. Learners...
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Physical properties of matter
Sixth graders find the physical properties of matter. In this matter lesson, 6th graders measure mass, volume, and density. Students are broken into 3 tiers with 3 different activities based on their understanding of mass and volume.
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Physical Changes and States of Matter- Two
Third graders explore the concept of evaporation as they observe how the water level changes in a cup that is left out. Working in groups they observe physical changes in a group of everyday items. They record the changes in shape, size,...
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Experimenting with Physical Changes
Fourth graders explore physical changes. They discuss that physical change is a change in size, shape, or state of matter of a substance. Students explore what change takes place when two substances can dissolve each other. They observe...
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Physical and Chemical Properties
Students study the difference between physical and chemical properties. They also discuss changes in matter, known as physical and chemical changes. They observe and discuss several demonstrations of both physical and chemical changes
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Physical Changes and States of Matter
Fourth graders study evaporation and condensation as parts of the water cycle. First they determine the similarities and differences between a cup of water and an ice cube before measuring the volume of ice before melting it, and...
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Ice Cream Chemical and Physical Changes
Fourth graders identify characteristics of a simple physical and chemical change. They describe objects by the properties of the materials from which they are made and that these properties can be used separate. Students describe the...
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Discovering Physical Changes
Fourth graders determine what is meant by a physical change, and they demonstrate how they can make physical changes. They complete activities at stations that entail changes in color, size, texture, hardness, or state of matter. Using...
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What's Matter?
Students explore the definition of matter. In exploring matter lesson students get into groups and navigate the Internet to answer questions.
NASA
Two Versions of Gravity: Newton and Einstein
We have all heard the debate about teaching both theories, but an innovative lesson takes the discussion to a new level. Scholars research and debate Newton's Law of Gravitation versus Einstein's General Theory of...
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Investigating Chemical and Physical Changes
Students explore physical and chemical changes by looking at how different powders react to a variety of substances. They observe and identify the difference between physical and chemical change using a mystery powder.
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Science: Changes in Matter
Second graders discover what changes occur in various types of matter under different conditions. They make predictions about the changes in an apple left out in the air, water placed in a freezer, and a nail left in a cup of water. They...
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Science- Unit on Matter- Solids
Second graders identify and describe properties of matter.
They identify three forms of matter- solids, liquids, and gases with 100% accuracy. The student describes the properties of solid objects.
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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...
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Properties of Matter
Students investigate the properties of matter. In this properties of matter lesson plan, students observe containers of different metals and discuss their properties including density. Students find the density of an unknown metal and of...
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Physical And Chemical Changes
Second graders identify physical and chemical changes of matter. They distinguish between physical and chemical changes. They classify changes as physical or chemical.