Matter Mystery

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

5

Overview

This activity can be used at the beginning of a unit or lesson on matter. The students will be given a list of items and will need to identify which items they consider to be matter. The students will also be asked to identify items that they don't consider to be matter and give reasons why. This activity can be used independently or with partners.

This activity is a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Phase

Before/Engage
Science (2015) Grade(s): 5

SC15.5.3

Examine matter through observations and measurements to identify materials (e.g., powders, metals, minerals, liquids) based on their properties (e.g., color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, response to magnetic forces, solubility, density).

UP:SC15.5.3

Vocabulary

  • color
  • hardness
  • reflectivity
  • electrical conductivity
  • thermal conductivity
  • response to magnetic forces
  • solubility
  • density
  • measurement (quantitative and qualitative)
  • data
  • observable properties
  • standard units
  • conductors
  • nonconductors
  • magnetic
  • nonmagnetic

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Materials have different properties-color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity thermal conductivity, solubility, and density.
  • Measurements of a variety of properties can be used to identify materials.
  • Measurements should be made in standard units (e.g., grams & liters).

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Identify the phenomenon through observations about materials, including color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, response to magnetic forces, and solubility.
  • Identify the evidence and collect data about the observed objects in standard units (e.g., grams, liters).
  • Collaboratively plan the investigation.
  • Identify materials based on their properties.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Standard units are used to measure and describe physical quantities of materials such as weight, time, temperature, and volume. These measurements will assist in the identification of the materials ( e.g. powders, metals, minerals, and liquids).

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Planning and Carrying out Investigations

Crosscutting Concepts

Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

Learning Objectives

I can identify and describe matter.

I can differentiate between energy and matter.

Activity Details

This learning activity can be used at the beginning of a unit on matter. The students will be given Matter Mystery and will color in the boxes that they consider to be matter. They will also give a brief description of why they don't consider something to be matter. Students can work independently or with partners. At the conclusion of the activity, the teacher can lead a discussion allowing the students to share their ideas on matter. Discussion questions could include:

  1. Why are heat and light not considered matter?
  2. Why is the sun considered matter but light isn't?

Assessment Strategies

This activity can be used as a probe to gauge student understanding of matter. Teachers can assess the prior knowledge of the students and also plan future lessons with this information.

Variation Tips

The teacher could vary the activity so that the students would use a certain color if they are sure that the item is made of matter, and another color if they are not sure but want to include the item in the matter list.

Background / Preparation

The teacher will need to make copies of the Matter Mystery activity. Paper copies and colored pencils/crayons will be needed to complete the activity.

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