| Title |
Matter: What is Matter? |
| Overview | Students will learn what matter is and that we cannot get rid of it -- we can only change it. |
| Subject(s) |
Science
|
Grade
Level(s) |
Grade 1
Grade 2
|
| Suggested Time |
30 Minutes |
| Materials | matter |
| Objectives |
Students will be able to:
- define matter.
- understand that matter can be changed, but not eliminated.
|
| Materials | - a piece of paper
- a white board and marker
OPTIONAL: a match (if you're comfortable lighting paper on fire in class)
a garbage can |
| Motivation | Ask the children if they know what 'matter' is.
Write their thoughts on the white board.
Explain that 'matter' is a scientific term that describes everything around us. Point out some things that are made of matter: the floor, the desk, air, water, etc.
Ask if they can think of other things that are made of matter. |
| Activity | Show the class your piece of paper. Is it matter? Yes!
Now, ask them to give you some ideas to get rid of it (just think in their heads).
Throw it in the garbage. Did that get rid of it? No, it just moved it from one place to another.
Scrunch it up and throw it away again. Did that get rid of it? No, it just changed its shape and moved it.
Now have them share some ideas for getting rid of the paper. Write them on the board.
Talk about some of their ideas and discuss whether they really get rid of the paper.
What if we light it on fire (you can either do this or just imagine it). Does that get rid of the paper?
Although it destroys the paper, it doesn't destroy the matter... it just changes its form. The paper turns to smoke and ash.
Explain to the children that we can move matter, change its shape and change its form but we can't destroy it.
|
| Conclusion | Have the children return to their desks and ask them to answer these questions:
Is water matter?
- Give one example of how can we move it?
- Give one example of how can we change its shape?
- Give one example of how can we change its form?
- Can we get rid of it altogether?
Come back to the large group and discuss. |
| Next Day Extension | Follow up the next day with the Three States of Matter Lesson plan |