Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Classifying Matter | Hero Elementary

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

2

Overview

In these Hero Elementary activities, children learn about different materials that make up the world around them. They observe and describe the properties of the materials. They compare how materials are alike and different. They sort materials into groups based on their properties. What children learn about the properties of solids and liquids can help them make sense of their world.

    Science (2015) Grade(s): 2

    SC15.2.1

    Conduct an investigation to describe and classify various substances according to physical properties (e.g., milk being a liquid, not clear in color, assuming shape of its container, mixing with water; mineral oil being a liquid, clear in color, taking shape of its container, floating in water; a brick being a solid, not clear in color, rough in texture, not taking the shape of its container, sinking in water).

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.2.1

    Vocabulary

    • Solid
    • Liquid
    • Physical Properties
    • Investigate
    • Classify
    • Opaque
    • Transparent
    • Translucent
    • Rough
    • Smooth
    • Float
    • Sink
    • Shape
    • Various
    • Substances
    • Conduct
    • Describe

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Different kinds of matter exists.
    • Properties of both solids (opaque, transparent, translucent, rough, smooth, float, sink, has its own shape) and liquids (color, assumes shape of container, opaque, transparent, translucent).
    • Many types of matter can be either solid or liquid, depending on temperature.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Plan and conduct an investigation to produce data that is used to describe and classify substances according to physical properties.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Observable patterns in the properties of materials provide evidence to classify the different kinds of materials.

    Scientific and Engineering Practices

    Planning and Carrying out Investigations

    Crosscutting Concepts

    Patterns
    Science (2015) Grade(s): 2

    SC15.2.2

    Collect and evaluate data to determine appropriate uses of materials based on their properties (e.g., strength, flexibility, hardness, texture, absorbency).*

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.2.2

    Vocabulary

    • Evaluate
    • Data
    • Graphs
    • Properties
    • Purpose
    • Strength
    • Flexibility
    • Hardness
    • Texture
    • Absorbency
    • Collect
    • Appropriate

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Properties of materials (e.g., strength, flexibility, hardness, texture, absorbency) Different uses for the materials.
    • The relationship between properties of materials and some potential uses (metal is strong, paper is absorbent, etc.).

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Conduct simple tests to collect and display data about the physical properties of various materials.
    • Analyze data to identify and describe relationships between properties and their potential uses.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Simple tests can be designed to gather evidence about the relationship between properties of materials and their intended uses.

    Scientific and Engineering Practices

    Analyzing and Interpreting Data

    Crosscutting Concepts

    Cause and Effect
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Learning Activity

    Resource Provider

    PBS
    Accessibility
    License

    License Type

    Custom
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