What's the matter?
Students will categorize matter according to its properties.
A lesson plan for grade 1 Science
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Learning outcomes
The student will learn that matter has more than one property.
Teacher planning
Time required for lesson
40 minutes
Materials/resources
- paper
- pencils
- various old magazines
- objects found in the classroom
- construction paper
- glue
- science text if available
Pre-activities
Students should know that matter takes up space and has weight.
Activities
Introduce new lesson
Matter can be described by its properties. Shape, color, and size are three properties of matter.
Teacher input
Students will read and discuss how matter can be described by its properties. You can tell about matter by talking about its size, color, and/or shape. Floating and sinking are other properties of matter. Show several different objects and discuss some of the properties they have. Categorize these objects (any objects that you may have handy in your classroom) by properties.
Guided Practice
Divide students into four groups. Together, they should decide on a property of matter. Members of the group should search the classroom to find things that will fit in their property category; e.g., blue things, things that float, etc. They can present these in front of the class, and their classmates must try to guess what the property category is. All groups should have a turn to present their objects.
Independent Practice
Give students a sheet of construction paper and have them fold it two times, forming three columns. They should label the top of each column with a property of matter. Pass out the old magazines while they are preparing this paper. Students can then cut out pictures that fit into each of the property categories.
Assessment
Students will present their findings, and teacher will review their projects to check for understanding and accuracy.
Supplemental information
Comments
This has been a successful lesson in my classroom.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Science (2005)
Grade 1
- Goal 2: The learner will make observations and use student-made rules to build an understanding of solid earth materials.
- Objective 2.01: Describe and sort a variety of earth materials based on their properties:
- Color.
- Hardness.
- Shape.
- Size.
- Objective 2.01: Describe and sort a variety of earth materials based on their properties:
- Goal 3: The learner will make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of the properties and relationship of objects.
- Objective 3.03: Classify solids according to their properties:
- Color.
- Texture.
- Shape (ability to roll or stack).
- Ability to float or sink in water.
- Objective 3.03: Classify solids according to their properties:
