Activities & Lessons
Sink or Float? Lesson
In this lesson, the class will read Christopher Columbus by Stephen Krensky and predict whether each item will float or sink. They will be aware that some
items sink and some items float and identify items that sink and those that float when placed in water
Making Ice Cream Lesson
Students will make their own ice cream in this lesson to show students what can happen when states of matter are mixed. This lesson reviews states of matter and allows students to experiment with solids and liquids to create a new mixture.
Water Changing States Lesson
In this lesson students will investigate the concept of water changing states.
In this lesson, the class will read Christopher Columbus by Stephen Krensky and predict whether each item will float or sink. They will be aware that some
items sink and some items float and identify items that sink and those that float when placed in water
Making Ice Cream Lesson
Students will make their own ice cream in this lesson to show students what can happen when states of matter are mixed. This lesson reviews states of matter and allows students to experiment with solids and liquids to create a new mixture.
Water Changing States Lesson
In this lesson students will investigate the concept of water changing states.
Websites for Kids
Solids, Liquids, and Gases
This site provides animated exploration of solids, liquids and gases and what these states of matter inolve.
Strange Matter
This is a really engaging and fun site for students! This site gives students options to Zoom In, Crush, Transform, and Improve an everyday object such as a soda can, skateboard, or cell phone. Each option helps the student discover fascinating, non-obvious facts about the make-up of the item.
This site provides animated exploration of solids, liquids and gases and what these states of matter inolve.
Strange Matter
This is a really engaging and fun site for students! This site gives students options to Zoom In, Crush, Transform, and Improve an everyday object such as a soda can, skateboard, or cell phone. Each option helps the student discover fascinating, non-obvious facts about the make-up of the item.
Matter: See It, Touch It, Taste It, Smell It By Darlene R. Illus. by Sheree Boyd. 2004. 24p. Picture Window Books, (978-1-404-80246-9). Gr: K-3.
Simple text and illustrations introduce concepts of atoms, molecules, liquid, matter, and gas. The book is a great tool to
introduces basic science, specifically physics, ideas to young children.
Simple text and illustrations introduce concepts of atoms, molecules, liquid, matter, and gas. The book is a great tool to
introduces basic science, specifically physics, ideas to young children.
What is the World Made Of? By Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld. Illus. by Paul Meisel. 1998. 32p. Collins, (978-0064451635). Gr: K-2.
Did you ever walk through a wall? Drink a glass of blocks? Have you ever
played with a lemonade doll, or put on milk for socks? This latest addition to
the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series introduces the youngest readers to
an important science concept: the differences between solids, liquids, and
gases. Any child who wants to know why he can't walk through a wall will enjoy
Kathleen Zoehfeld's simple text and Paul Meisel's playful illustrations.
Did you ever walk through a wall? Drink a glass of blocks? Have you ever
played with a lemonade doll, or put on milk for socks? This latest addition to
the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series introduces the youngest readers to
an important science concept: the differences between solids, liquids, and
gases. Any child who wants to know why he can't walk through a wall will enjoy
Kathleen Zoehfeld's simple text and Paul Meisel's playful illustrations.
What's the Matter in Mr. Whisker's Room? By Michael Elsohn Ross. Illus. by Paul Meisel. 2004. 48p. Candlewick, (978-0763613495). Gr - 1-5.
Mr. Whiskers, the teacher, has that wild look in his eye again. That's the look that means, Get ready for hands-on science fun and some BIG IDEAS! This time the subject matter is . . . matter. Using seven science stations, Mr. Whiskers encourages the kids in his class to use all their senses to make observations and draw conclusions. Martin, Cory, and Miguel are dabbling with water at one science station, while Larry and Ashley are up to their elbows in gloop at another. Ice blocks, rocks, and mud offer more chances to have fun and learn too! Everyone's a scientist in Mr. Whiskers' class, where hands-on mini-experiments lead to Big Ideas — and promote an ongoing passion for independent, open-ended discovery.
Mr. Whiskers, the teacher, has that wild look in his eye again. That's the look that means, Get ready for hands-on science fun and some BIG IDEAS! This time the subject matter is . . . matter. Using seven science stations, Mr. Whiskers encourages the kids in his class to use all their senses to make observations and draw conclusions. Martin, Cory, and Miguel are dabbling with water at one science station, while Larry and Ashley are up to their elbows in gloop at another. Ice blocks, rocks, and mud offer more chances to have fun and learn too! Everyone's a scientist in Mr. Whiskers' class, where hands-on mini-experiments lead to Big Ideas — and promote an ongoing passion for independent, open-ended discovery.
Assessments
Observation sheet for a sinking and floating activity. This allows students to record their observations and draw what they see when they create a boat, place it in the water, and then place gummy bears aboard the boat.
Matter Worksheets This site provides multiple assessment sheets for students to complete to demonstrate their knowledge of matter.
Matter Worksheets This site provides multiple assessment sheets for students to complete to demonstrate their knowledge of matter.