Matter and Energy

Standard D. The Physical Setting 

Students understand the universal nature of matter, force and motion and identify how these relationships are exhibited in Earth Systems, in the solar system, and throughout the universe.

Pre K-2 - Performance indicator - D.3. Matter and Energy

Students will use observable characteristics to describe objects and materials and changes to physical properties of materials.

a. Describe objects in terms of what they are made of and their physical properties.

Group Activity:  Before class create several bags of different materials.  Making sure to cover all the different properties they will need to notice.  Some ideas would be sand, a re freezable ice cube, a branch from a tree, a container of vanilla, a jar of water with food coloring, and some shapes from the Tanagrams box.  Each group will take a numbered bag and explore the contents.  They will describe it on their worksheet.  They must experience all bags.  The order does not matter.

Class Demonstration: Explain to the students that today we will learn about the physical properties of materials.  The physical property involves color, size, shape, texture, odor, and temperature.  Display a piece of sandpaper and a small container of sand.  Ask the students to describe the the physical properties of the sandpaper.  Then ask them to describe the sand.  Using a Venn diagram discuss the two materials.  Talk about what each is used for and how the differences matter to their use.

Effective Questions: What characteristics identify the sand/sandpaper?
                                   How do those specific characteristics help each one do its job?

b. Describe changes in properties when mixed, heated, frozen or cut. 

            What happens to your ice cream if you leave it on the picnic table in July?
            Your mom goes Christmas shopping.  She forgets her coffee in car when she goes into the 
                  mall.  Will she be able to drink her coffee when she comes out of the mall?

Group Activity: Give each group a baggie that contains a small amount of M&Ms, a small pat of butter, an ice cube and a 8oz bottle of water with dropper of food coloring.  (remind students we do not eat or drink any materials during science class).  Have students describe the materials before adding heat and then have them describe them after adding heat.  Encourage students to document their findings in any way they want.  Tell students that each group will be required to present their findings to the class at the end of the period. 





Classroom Demonstration: On the front table display chocolate, ice, Kool-aide, and a picture of water. Explain that properties change when mixed, heated, frozen or cut.  Ask students to notice you putting a cup of chocolate chips in the pan, as the pan heats up the chocolate melts.  Discuss with students the change in properties of the chocolate.  What did they notice?  How did it change?  What will happen when I take it off the heat?

Effective Questions:  What would happen if you put the baggie with the water in the freezer?
                                     What did you learn about materials and their properties?

 Science NetLinks. (2012). Water3: Melting and freezing. Retrieved from http://sciencenetlinks.com/