Matter

Description During the second trimester, we will learn about the tiny bits of matter that make up all things. We will learn about the physical properties and chemical properties of matter. What is an atom? How do atoms relate to elements and the periodic table? What causes different phases of matter? We will spend much of this marking period investigating the various properties of matter.

Curriculum and State Standards (click to see curriculum)

Matter Lessons the following lessons are a basic outline of the learning activities in this unit

Observation and classification of matt er start the investigations. Students will read about matter's properties. Then students will be asked to become the jury in Science Court, an interactive science mystery which explores properties of matter and what makes up matter.
 * What are properties of matter? **

Phases of matter **How do scientists measure mass, length, volume and temperature?** The metric system rules in science class. We will practice measuring common and not so common articles. We look at the difference between weight and mass. And how do we measure the volume of an object like a rock that is not a regular shape?

meters liters and grams [|converting between units] Density is a physical property of all matter. will learn about different materials and calculate densities. Checkout this video to learn more : use student code 8F70B what is density How to calculate density http://www.educreations.com/course/lesson/view/the-periodic-table/705638/ **How small can matter be?** After reading about atoms, and thinking about how small an atom really is, students will make models of an atom's structure. We will learn about the subatomic particles that makeup an atom as well as the forces that hold the atom together. Then students will demonstrate their understanding by doing a project on atoms. Students can choose to make a quiz board, an Atom's Family Album, a who am I book, or many other choices to show their learning.
 * What is density?**

[|The parts of an atom] We will explore the periodic table of elements learning about how scientists organize elements and the information usually found about each element. We will model different elements and read about the elements. Students will adopt an element to explain its unique features and uses. [|The Periodic Table] We will explore this question through a series of challenges. After each challenge, students will be asked to explain what type of change occurred and justify their responses. Students will then experiment with every day situations to determine if the change is chemical or physical.
 * What makes one element different from another?**
 * What is a physical or chemical change?**

[|the element song]

GAK recipe **Measure and mix well**: 1/2 cup (120 ml) Elmer's GlueAll 1/2 Cup water food color

**Measure separately** 1 cup water 1/2 (10 ml) tablespoon of borax stir to dissolve as much borax as possible.

Now pour the borax solution into the glue solution. You should see strands of Gak appearing. Drain off extra water. The Gak will become firmer as you work it.

What makes a mixture? Are all mixtures the same? Students will experiment with mixtures, then work on determining the parts of mystery mixture. Finally, students will work with a very special mixture, soil. We will look at the properties of different soil samples and try to determine which properties effect soil absorbancy.
 * Messing with Mixtures. **

Unit Vocabulary

Characteristic property, mass, weight, volume, density, solubility, saturated solution, boiling point, melting point, homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures, solution, solvent, solute, particle, atom, element, molecule, compound, metal, nonmetal, metalloid, physical change, chemical change.