Third Grade
Matter
Science Essential Standards
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
Human Body
Earth’s Features
Plants
Forces & Motion
Earth/Moon/Sun System
Matter
Energy
Unpacking the Science
Essential Standards
Physical Science
Matter: Properties and Change
3.P.2 Understand the structure and properties
of matter before and after they
undergo a change.
Science Essential Standards
3.P.2 Understand the structure and properties of
matter before and after they undergo a change.
3.P.2.1 Recognize that air is a substance that
surrounds us, takes up space and has mass.
3.P.2.2 Compare solids, liquids, and gases based on
their basic properties.
3.P.2.3 Summarize changes that occur to the
observable properties of materials when different
degrees of heat are applied to them, such as
melting ice or ice cream, boiling water or an egg, or
freezing water.
Unpacking the Science
Essential Standards
Physical Science
Energy: Conservation and Transfer
3.P.3 Recognize how energy can be
transferred from one object to another.
Science Essential Standards
3.P.3 Recognize how energy can be transferred
from one object to another.
3.P.3.1 Recognize that energy can be
transferred from one object to another by
rubbing them against each other.
3.P.3.2 Recognize that energy can be
transferred from a warmer object to a cooler
one by contact or at a distance and the cooler
object gets warmer.
Matter: Properties and Change
K
• K.P.2 Understand how objects are described based on their physical properties and how they
are used.
• K.P.2.1 Classify objects by observable physical properties (including size, color, shape, texture,
weight and flexibility).
• K.P.2.2 Compare the observable physical properties of different kinds of materials (clay, wood,
cloth, paper, etc) from which objects are made and how they are used.
nd
2
• 2.P.2 Understand properties of solids and liquids and the changes they undergo.
• 2.P.2.1 Give examples of matter that change from a solid to a liquid and from a liquid to a
solid by heating and cooling.
• 2.P.2.2 Compare the amount (volume and weight) of water in a container before and after
freezing.
• 2.P.2.3 Compare what happens to water left in an open container over time as to water left
in a closed container.
th
4
• 4.P.2 Understand the composition and properties of matter before and after they undergo a change or
interaction.
• 4.P.2.1 Compare the physical properties of samples of matter (strength, hardness, flexibility, ability to
conduct heat, ability to conduct electricity, ability to be attracted by magnets, reactions to water and fire).
• 4.P.2.2 Explain how minerals are identified using tests for the physical properties of hardness, color, luster,
cleavage, and streak.
• 4.P.2.3 Classify rocks as metamorphic, sedimentary or igneous based on their composition, how they are
formed and the processes that create them.
Solids, Liquids, and Gases
• Describe each substance
• Sort into solids, liquids, or gases
• Create a definition for each
Solid
Liquid Gas
• Discuss:
• What do you notice about the substances?
• Why do you identify each one as a solid, liquid, or gas?
• Which substances were the easiest/most difficult to
put into categories? Why?
What’s the Matter with Teaching Children About Matter? by Palmeri, Cole, DeLisle, Erickson, & Janes
Science and Children, NSTA Dec2008
Solids, Liquids, and Gases
• Which substances do you think
students would have the most
difficulty sorting?
• Viscous liquids: fluid’s resistance
to flow (sticky and gluey
substances)
What’s the Matter with Teaching Children About Matter? by Palmeri, Cole, DeLisle, Erickson, & Janes
Science and Children, NSTA Dec2008
Solids, Liquids, and Gases
• Matter: anything that takes up space
• Solid: substances that have a
definite shape that does not
change depending on the container
• Liquid: substances that take the
shape of their container
• Gas: substances that take the form
of their container and spread out to
fill the container
Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Challenges:
•
•
•
•
Solids are hard.
Solids cannot break.
Liquids flow and fill the container.
Gases spread out to fill the container
and liquids take the shape of the
container.
What’s the Matter with Teaching Children About Matter? by Palmeri, Cole, DeLisle, Erickson, & Janes
Science and Children, NSTA Dec2008
Properties of Air
• Balloon Blow-up
• Baking soda (solid)
and vinegar
(liquid) combine
to produce a gas
(carbon dioxide).
Solids, Liquids and Gases by Ontario Science Centre
Properties of Air
• Empty Glass Trick • The glass and the
bottle are full of
air --- a mixture of
gases.
• Air takes up space.
• Huff ‘n Puff Trick
Solids, Liquids and Gases by Ontario Science Centre
Properties of Air
• Strong Air
• Air pushes up, down and
sideways on everything
it touches. This pushing
power is called air
pressure. The air
pushed up on the
cardboard more than
the water and air inside
the glass pushed down.
Vernier
Temperature Probe
Vocabulary/Content Resources
ScienceSaurus
by Great Source
Science Magnifier
by Carolina Biological
K-5 Science Glossary
of Terms
from DPI
States of Matter
What is it?
What is it like?
a state of matter
that maintains a
fixed shape
particles are tightly
packed together
maintains own shape
solid
can change form by force
(ex – cutting an apple)
can change form by heating
(ex – ice to water)
ice
table
What are some examples?
apple
Frayer Model/Four Square
Definition
Matter that has a definite
volume but not a definite
shape
Examples?
Characteristics
Forms a puddle when
spilled
Takes the shape of the
container
Can flow
liquid
Non-examples?
18
Science ES Resources
Energy Explorations (3-5)
AIMS: Activities Integrating
Math & Science
Melting, Freezing, and Boiling
Science Projects with Matter
by Robert Gardner
Solids, Liquids and Gases
by Ontario Science Centre
Science ES Resources
Answers to Science Questions from
the Stop Faking It! Guy
by Dr. William C. Robertson, NSTA
Stop Faking It! Books
by Dr. William C.
Robertson
Uncovering Student
Ideas in Science
Assessment Probes
Is It Matter?
Wet Jeans
Floating Balloon
What’s in the Bubbles?
Essential Standards Resources
DPI Wiki Space
http://www.ncdpi.wikis
paces.net/
Glossary of Terms
• Represents the big,
powerful concepts and
ideas teachers need to
know and understand
• Not exhaustive, seeks to
address critical terms
and definitions essential
in building content
knowledge and
understanding
• Living document
K-5 Science Units
K-5 Assessment Examples
Provides examples that illustrate ways in which
the standards might be assessed