Grade: 3/4

Subject: science

Time: 50 mins

Topic: matter

Rationale: This lesson will serve as an introduction to states of matter, including what makes up matter,
how the states of matter are different and why/how they change.
Big Ideas
Grade 3 - All particles are made up of chemicals.
Grade 4 - Matter has mass, takes up space, and can change phase.
Learning Intention
I can statement
I can define and describe states
of matter and how they are
effected.

Evidence
Students will

Criteria
I will be looking for

Participate in hands on activities

(in centres and small table
groups) and complete their 3 fold
matter states page as well as
their prediction page for the ice
cream activity

As teachers we will be looking for

students to show their learning
by
(write) completing the work
sheets that have been given to
them.
(say) be able to explain states of
matter and how they are effected
(when asked)
(do) take part in the ice cream
activity that we will be doing in
class.

Teacher Materials needed:

For ice cream - Milk, vanilla, sugar, ice, salt, 9

ziplock bags, dish towel, spoons.
-science glasses
-stickers
-sticker worksheet
All students teachers will be responsible for
their own materials.

Student Materials needed:

pencil

pre-lesson prep

-have all materials for ice cream ready.

-prediction sheets photo copied for class.

Videos:

Intro video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuE1LePDZ4Y

video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=UFatVn1hP3o

Books:

Accommodations:

-Student #14 will not be placed in the same small

groups as student #6 or #10
-Student #9 and student #22 will not be placed in
the same group.
-Student #8 and student #16 will not be placed in
the same group together.

Other resources:

http://teachnet.com/lessonplans/science/plasticbag-ice-cream-recipe/

Introduction:
Action:

Pacing:

Alannah/Larissa
-Teacher will explain that we will start by making a
web together as a class on something that the
students may not have heard about before Matter.

about 5 -8 mins

-Ask students what they think matter is, have they

herd the word used for science before? any ideas
about what it might be? discuss and describe
matter -> ask students if different items around the
classroom are matter > desk, bugs, food, air, name
a teacher in the room.
-as a class add to the web -> three strands (solid,
liquid, gas) are made with examples of each type.
-When the web is complete the teacher will
introduce a video that is going to introduce what
we are going to talk about next (what matter is
made of)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuE1LePDZ4Y
(watch -2:45)
-Split class into three groups for enters and inform
them what teacher they will start with.
Activity Time:
Action:

Pacing:

Station #1 larissa - liquid

What is a liquid?

- liquid particles are attracted to each other, but

move more freely and more freely past one
another.

Stations will have 5 mins each X 3 rotations

plus transition time should take in total around
20 mins.

- change shape to fill the space.

- can change shape and volume.

Activity
- solids and liquids: students will be shown 3
different liquids (water, oil, and yoghurt) and 3
different solids (rock, ice, and paper) and be
asked if they are a liquid or a solid. The group
will discuss what classifies each as a solid or a
liquid and why.

- students will complete the sticker worksheet to

analyze and represent how the particles in a
liquid move and the key words associated to
liquid.

Station #2 Mary - gas

What is gas?
- particles move freely and are spread out
- fills up the space
- clear and light
- can change shape and volume
Activity
- balloon: students will blow balloons then let go of
the balloon to prove that gas can move freely,
change shape and volume, and fill up the space.

- sticker worksheet
Station #3 - Jami - Solid
-What is a solid?
-Retain a fixed shape
-Particles hold its shape
Activity
-students gather in a hula hoop - just like
particles, still able to move but you can not
escape your shape.
-show some objects, can not be easily
condensed (desk, chair) Some solids can be
easily condensed (paper, paperclips) discuss
-complete sticker worksheet.

5 mins X3

Closure:
Teacher will

Students will

Pacing:

Alannah
-teacher will introduce video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=UFatVn1hP3o
-students will describe what
-teacher will lead a discussion on happens to a solid (ice) when it is 5 mins
if Olaf could survive in summer.
exposed to the heat of the sun,
-based on what we have
(liquid) and what will happen to
learned what will happen when
the liquid if its out in the sun long
Olaf goes out in summer time?
enough. (gas)
why?

If there is extra time

-teachers will hand out small
pieces of paper as a ticket out
the door.

-students will describe what they

have learned about matter.

-If time allows