Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Matter: Solids Liquids and Gases

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Young scholars participate in a science experiment to understand that matter takes up space.  In this matter instructional activity, students experiment with solids, liquids and gases to recognize that matter is everywhere. Young...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Freeze Pops

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners experience problem-based learning as they use prior knowledge of the states of matter to keep a frozen juice bar from melting.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fluid Thinking About Liquids and Solids

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine the physical characteristics of the different states of matter. In this chemistry lesson, 2nd graders observe how matter changes from one phase to another. They classify substances according to its type of matter.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Non-Newtonian Fluids

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students will use water, cornstarch, eggs, and more to explore the different states of matter. They will make observations of an unknown substance called "Oobleck" and test its liquid and solid properties. This would be a great lesson to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classifying Matter

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders conduct investigations to explore matter. In this states of matter lesson, 2nd graders complete four activities to analyze the three states of matter. Students analyze the properties of solids, liquids, and gases. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changes In Matter, "The Big Chill"

For Teachers 3rd
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

As a Matter of Fact

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Elementary-aged scientists discover that all matter has mass. They are shown the difference between mass and weight, and learn how to calculate mass using the appropriate tools and methods. The scientific method is used while estimating...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's the Matter? (Living and Non-Living Things)

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Understand how chemical reactions recombine atoms to create the "chemicals of life". An experiment, showing the basic chemical reactions of an iron nail or a match, helps young children start their understanding of permanent changes.
Lesson Plan
2
2
Teach Engineering

Viscous Fluids

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Elasticity and viscosity. Help your class understand the similarities and differences with an introduction to viscous fluids. After describing four types of fluid behaviors: shear thinning, shear thickening, Bringham plastic,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Liquid Rainbow

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students develop their own techniques for drawing a small sample of solutions into a straw. They hypothesize ways to increase the density of water, and discuss how salt-free rainwater tends to float on top of salty seawater.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cents-ible Chemistry-Analysis of the Metal in a Penny

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students determine the base metals and surface metals in a penny. In this analysis of metals lesson plan, students determine the density of five pennies minted in different years. They use different chemicals such as hydrochloric acid,...
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

What is Matter?

For Teachers 3rd - 9th
Learners create a definition of matter. In this physical science lesson, students work in pairs to sort items printed on cards into several categories (matter, non-matter, and unsure) and agree on a definition of matter.
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

The Rate of a Chemical Reaction

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
If your pupils think a catalyst is a list of their cats, then this might be the lesson for you! Young chemists study the effect of temperature, catalysts, concentration, and particle size on reaction rates during four different...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students perform experiments in pairs to visualize the changes in water during freezing and melting. In this properties of water lesson plan, students use their senses and inquiry tools to understand the changes in state of water....
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
Curated OER

Ar.... What Gives?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students 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. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Identifying Properties of Matter

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students observe a demonstration of the the three forms of matter - air, water, and solids - in plastic bags. After discussing the properties, they transfer them to a Venn diagram. Finally, students identify five items in the classroom...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Properties of Matter in the Preschool

For Teachers Pre-K
Students study the properties of the physical and natural world. In this properties of the physical and natural world lesson, preschool students work at discovery tables to see how simple machines work, what happens when items are put...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

States of Matter

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders define the term matter. They compare properties of solids, liquids, and gases. They describe how matter changes from one state to another. They classify objects as either solid, liquid, or gas.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Changes in Matter

For Teachers 2nd
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Funny Putty, Serious Stuff

For Teachers 1st - 8th
Young scholars make putty and explore its properties. For this colloids lesson, students identify the properties of solids, liquids, and gases. Then, they create a collide and examine its unique properties.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Picnic, The Study of Matter

For Teachers 1st
First graders discover the properties of matter through hands-on experiences, 1st graders discover how to protect their Freeze Pop from melting.
Lesson Plan
University of Colorado

The Moons of Jupiter

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Can you name the three planets with rings in our solar system? Everyone knows Saturn, many know Uranus, but most people are surprised to learn that Jupiter also has a ring. The third in a series of six teaches pupils what is around...