The Three States Of Matter
Sharon R. West Edward Hurley
3849 West 69th Place
Chicago IL 60629
(312) 535-2068
Objectives:
Primary Level
1. Define matter
2. Identify and compare solids, liquids, and gases
3. Identify some properties of matter
Materials:
-two laundry bags -variety of solids (toy, tools, school supplies)
-butter -variety of liquids (water, pop, juice, syrup)
-sugar -variety of gases (big balloons, little balloons)
-milk -balls
-cocoa -salt
-vanilla -peanut butter
-quick oats -wax paper
-hot plate -large plastic rectangular container
-cup -paper towels
-colored chalk -spoons
-measuring cups -measuring spoons
-flask -cylinder container
-clear vases -clear containers to pour liquids in
TABLE 1
Has Has No
Take Up Has Has Shape Takes Shape of Definite Definite
Space Weight of Its Own Its Container Volume Volume
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solid solid solid solid
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liquid liquid liquid (takes liquid
the shape of
that part of
the container
which it fills)
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gas gas gas (takes gas (fills
the shape of any con-
the container tainer in
that holds which it
it) is put)
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Strategy:
1. Introduce the three states of matter
2. Start with a grab bag. Let everyone take an item out of the bag of
solid objects.
3. Describe solid objects and talk about color, shape, size, weight,
space, and what is it used for.
4. Fill in Table 1 with the children as you are doing the exercise.
5. Ask the class what is left in the bag after everything is taken out.
6. AIR! pass out objects with air in them, such as balloons, and balls.
7. What is air? It is a gas.
8. Talk about what gas does. Use Table 1.
9. Fill a clear container with water and take a cup stuffed with a
paper towel in the bottom. Push the cup straight down in the water.
10. Does the towel get wet? No! Why?
11. What is the water in the container? Liquid.
12. Use Table 1 to discuss what a liquid does.
13. Tell the children that solids, liquids, and gases are the three
states of matter.
14. Which one of these couldn't I have an example of and why?
15. Just say, there is another form of matter that we do not talk about
much, it is a gas called plasma.
16. Make cookies. Ask how many solids, liquids, and gases are in the
recipe.
17. Use a bar graph and chart the information.
18. After you have made the cookies evaluate and see if the children
can name all the states of matter.
19. Recipe for the cookies are as follows:
No Bake Cookies
one half cup of butter
two cups of sugar
one half cup of milk
two tablespoons of cocoa
one fourth teaspoon of salt
Bring this to a full boil and remove from the heat.
add one half cup of peanut butter while it is still
hot, also add one fourth teaspoon vanilla flavor, and
three cups of Quick Oats. Use a tablespoon and spoon
the cookies onto wax paper.
20. Serve the cookies with juice or milk.
Note* Bring in enough solids for every child to have one.
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