The Truth of the Matter

Objectives:

Students will be able to describe the characteristics of different states of matter by explaining how their molecules move, their volume, and their shape.

Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of ways in which thermal energy can change matter.

Lesson Duration:

Approximately 40-50 minutes

Materials:

• The Building Blocks of Physical Science series, specifically the Matter and How It Changes book as well as the Matter and Its Properties book

• Pencils

• Visual Note-Taking Guide

• Molecules on the Move Worksheet (1 per student)

• Molecules on the Move Worksheet Answer Key

• Optional: Exit Ticket and Answer Key

Requisite Prior Knowledge:

Before engaging in this lesson, it would be beneficial for students to have read both the Matter and How It Changes as well as the Matter and Its Properties books. These books introduce students to the three basic states of matter and provide examples to illustrate how thermal energy can cause changes in these states of matter. Prior to engaging in the lesson students should be familiar with the vocabulary terms included in this lesson plan.

Assessment(s):

• Visual Note-Taking Guide

• Molecules on the Move Worksheet

• Optional: Exit Ticket

Vocabulary:

Atom – one of the basic units of matter

Chemical change – a change in which one substance is converted into one or more substances with different properties

Condensation – the changing of a gas or vapor into a liquid

Contract – to decrease in size

Evaporate – to change from a liquid to a gas

Expand – to increase in size

Matter – what all things are made of

Molecule – two or more atoms chemically bonded together

Physical change – a change in which matter changes shape or form

Solution – a mixture in which one substance is dissolved (mixed completely) in another

States of matter – the different forms of matter; the most common are solid, liquid, and gas

Suspension – a heterogeneous (uneven) mixture of a liquid and a solid in which the solid settles to the bottom if left undisturbed

Thermal energy – the force that makes particles of matter vibrate and move; we feel it as heat

Differentiation Considerations:

This lesson contains many differentiation strategies embedded within it. For example, students are provided a choice of working independently, in pairs, or in small groups of three to complete an application activity. In addition, students will use a visual note-taking guide to support learners who benefit from content displayed visually rather than simply in written form.

Consider extending the lesson by having students provide an explanation for why all the examples included on the worksheet are considered physical changes rather than chemical ones.

Consider pulling a small group during the Application Activity portion of this lesson plan for additional support. Rather than focusing energy on completing the entire worksheet, focus this group’s energy on understanding the concepts related to changing states of matter to build strong foundational science knowledge.

Lesson and Instruction:

Teacher Actions

Ask students what happens when you put a glass of water in the freezer for an extended period of time. It freezes! Instead of water, it is now ice. But what about the matter that makes up that ice? Has the matter itself changed or did the matter just change shape or form?

Explain to students that they will explore ideas related to how matter changes in their work today. They will first describe the characteristics of different states of matter by explaining how their molecules move, their volume, and their shape. In addition, they will demonstrate their understanding of ways in which thermal energy can change matter by collaborating with peers.

Teacher Actions

Begin by rereading pages 8-15 of Matter and How It Changes as well as pages 16-19 of Matter and Its Properties to activate students’ prior knowledge. Check for understanding by asking questions such as “what do you notice about the molecules in each state?” As you read, focus your discussion and thinking aloud on the three states of matter, how their molecules move, what happens when thermal energy is added (matter is heated), and what happens when thermal energy decreases (matter cools).

Pass out the Visual Note-Taking Guide and explain to students that images can help us better understand complex concepts. Model how to annotate the images to map out and visualize an example of how applying thermal energy can cause matter to change state.

Label the image of the electric kettle with the following vocabulary terms: liquid, gas, and thermal energy source. Discuss and take notes about how the heat caused a change in state of matter.

Transition to next portion of the Visual Note-Taking Guide and discuss the images. Explain how each image represents a different state of matter. Collaborate with students to label each image with its form. Have students independently write a description of the characteristics of each state and tell something about the motion of the molecules. Have 1-2 students share their work with the class before transitioning to the Application Activity.

Teacher Actions

Pass out the Molecules on the Move Worksheet and explain that students will have a choice to work either independently, in pairs, or in small groups of three to apply their knowledge of matter. Students will show that they understand how thermal energy changes states of matter by writing explanations of what happens to cause each of the events on their worksheet. Students should incorporate appropriate vocabulary terms to strengthen their explanations. Their explanations should include the change in state as well as a description of the movement of the particles.

Depending on your students’ needs, consider modeling one or two examples prior to transitioning to worktime.

Teacher Actions

Bring students back to the whole group setting and review their answers and explanations for various scenarios. It may benefit you to determine who will share while students complete the activity.

Close the lesson by reminding students that they were able to describe characteristics of states of matter and explain how thermal energy can cause changes in states of matter.

Optional Exit Ticket: Provide each student with an exit ticket to complete as a form of assessment. This exit ticket is short and has students describe the movement of the molecules within each state of matter as well as the volume they take up and their shape.

Next Steps and Reflection:

What went well?

What changes might be beneficial?

Reteaching Needs

Extension Needs