Physical Science
Big Idea 8: Properties of Matter
Grade 5 Quarter 1 Topic 3
Properties of Matter
Practicing Science:
Observing the Natural World of Matter
Mary Tweedy, CSS
Keisha Kidd, CSS
Dr. Millard Lightburn,
District Science Supervisor
Department of Mathematics and Science
Grade 5 Pacing Guide Topic 1: Practicing Science
Benchmarks
• SC.5.P.8.1 Compare and contrast the basic properties of solids, liquids, and
gases, such as mass, volume, color, texture, and temperature.
• SC.5.N.1.1 Define a problem, use appropriate reference materials to
support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific investigations
of various types such as: systematic observations, experiments requiring
the identification of variables, collecting and organizing data, interpreting
data in charts, tables, and graphics, analyze information, make predictions,
and defend conclusions. AA
• SC.5.N.2.1 Recognize and explain that science is grounded in empirical
observations that are testable; explaining must always be linked with
evidence. AA
• SC.5.N.2.2 Recognize and explain that when scientific investigations are
carried out, the evidence produced by those investigations should be
replicable by others. AA
• MACC.5.MD.1.2 Make a line plot to display a data set of measurements in
fractions of a unit (1/2, 1/4, 1/8). Use operations on fractions for this grade
to solve problems involving information presented in line plots. For
example, given different measurements of liquid in identical beakers, find
the amount of liquid each beaker would contain if the total amount in all
the beakers were redistributed equally.Department of Mathematics and Science
Practicing Science:
Observing the Natural World of Matter
What Is Matter?
Matter is the material or “stuff” everything is made of.
What are you doing if you are observing matter?
Observing matter means to carefully explore all of its properties.
Look around the room and identify some matter.
What are some physical properties matter can have?
Color, texture, odor, shape…
What are two properties that all matter share?
All matter has mass and takes up space.
What are the three states of matter?
solid, liquid, and gas
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What physical properties do
all solids have in common?
The particles in solids are
close together and vibrate
in place. For this reason:
• A solid has its own
definite shape and
definite volume.
• A solid keeps its shape
even when it moves.
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What physical properties do
all liquids have in common?
The particles in liquids are not as
close together as the particles in
solids and move more freely than
particles of solids. For this
reason:
• Liquids have a definite volume.
• Liquids take the shape of their
container.
• Liquids can be poured from
one container to another.
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What physical properties do all
gases have in common?
The particles in gases move
freely in all directions. For this
reason:
• Gases have no definite size
or shape.
• A gas take the shape of its
container.
• A gas will fill all the space
inside a container.
Three States foldable
Three States Venn diagram
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Observing and Measuring Matter
Center
Choose an Object to Observe
Thumb
Pencil
Book
Desk
Chair
Penny
Drop of Water
Rock
Shell
Plant
Leaf
Flower
Other
Choose an Observation Type
•
List as many properties as you can about
that object.
•
What do you observe about that object
quantitatively?
•
What are all the things you observe directly
about….?
•
Describe how this object looks, feels,
sounds, and/or smells.
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Investigation One*
1. Open up your bag of objects and place them on the tray.
2. List each object in your notebook as you observe it.
3. Use your senses to make qualitative observations. Write down
words to describe each object.
4. Use your measurement tools to make quantitative
observations and record for each object.
5. Look over your observation notes and put all the objects that
share a property together in one group. Write down the
common property.
6. What word describes the object(s) left over? If more than one
do they have a property in common?
7. Now classify the objects into another group and do steps 5
and 6.
*Adapted from abpi Properties of Materials
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What are some
Properties or characteristics of Matter?
Color
Shape
Size
Luster
Texture
Mass
Weight
Length
Volume
State/Phase
(solid, liquid or gas)
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Investigation Two*
Equipment Needed: lab sheet, container of water, flashlight, magnet, circuit
(light bulb & wires & battery in a holder connected)
Procedures: Read the test below and predict which properties apply to your
group’s six objects. Then conduct the following tests using materials provided
in order to identify which properties apply to your group’s six objects. Record
results on chart. Compare predictions to results.
1. Does the material change when dipped into water? (absorbent)
2. Does the material stretch and then return to shape? (elastic)
3. Does electricity flow when the material is used to complete the circuit?
(conductor)
4. Is the magnet attracted to the material? (magnetic)
5. Can you scratch the material with a fingernail, penny…? (hardness)
6. Can you see through the material? (translucent -light travels through)
7. Does the material bend without breaking? (flexible)
Bonus: Try to think of a new way to classify your group of objects based on
the test results.
*Adapted from abpi Properties of Materials
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Investigation Two Make predictions, test and then record
test results on lab sheet chart. Compare.
Absorbent
Elastic
Conductor
of
Electricity
Flexible
Magnetic
Hard
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
*Opposites
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*Fill in an opposite for each property
in the row above.
Transparent
Match the Properties Being Tested
1. Does the material stretch and then
return to shape?
2. Does electricity flow when the
material is used to complete the
circuit?
3. Is the magnet attracted to the
material?
4. Can a penny scratch the material?
5. Can you see through the material?
6. Does the material bend without
breaking?
7. Does the material change when
dipped into water?
A. Absorbent
B. Elastic
C. Electrical
Conductor
D. Flexible
E. Magnetic
F. Hard
G. Transparent
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What can be added to the
Properties of Matter List?
Color
Shape
Size
Luster
Texture
Mass
Weight
Volume
State/Phase
(solid, liquid or gas)
Flexible
Elastic
Magnetic
Conductor of electricity
Ability to sink or float in
water
Ability to Dissolve in a liquid
or solubility
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Mystery MATTER
(Show What You Know)
1. Pick a small object that will fit in a paper bag.
2. Make quantitative observations (mass, length,
height, volume…)
3. Make qualitative observations (texture, luster,
flexibility, magnetic …)
4. Use these observations to write a description
including properties that will help others identify
this mystery matter.
5. Share your description with classmates and have
them guess what your mystery object is.
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Mystery MATTER
Connected Learning
Choose a mystery object identified and do the following reflection:
1. Was there a property that helped you determine
the mystery object’s identity easier than other
properties? Explain.
2. Which observations were quantitative?
3. Which observations were qualitative?
4. What are you wondering now?
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Investigation Three
Adapted from abpi Properties of Materials
What do we call characteristics that can be observed, measured,
or changed without changing the object itself?
physical properties
They are the things that do not change about an object unless
you change the material.
Try out the questions below:
Would you make:
A METAL window?
A STRING chair?
A PAPER bucket?
A RUBBER knife?
An ALUMINUM magnet?
A METAL raincoat?
A GLASS football?
No? What Property is needed?
transparency
What would be a good material?
glass
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Investigation Four
1. Choose an object to design.
2. It could be an umbrella, a sneaker, a backpack or
something else.
3. Think about what property the object needs. For
example: an umbrella needs to be waterproof.
What else?
tough, flexible
4. Decide on what would be a good material.
5. Draw the design and label the materials to be used
and their properties.
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Big Idea 8: Properties of Matter Resources
• Common Properties of Matter: Atoms, Elements & States
http://schoolmediainteractive.com/view/object/clip/0D250A3457F9A42AA8A7ED06EB486C3E
• Chem4Kids Matter:
http://www.chem4kids.com/files/matter_intro.html
• Fremont Magnet Elementary: 5th Grade Science Matter Review
http://schools.bcsd.com/fremont/5th_sci__matter_properties_of_matter.htm
• Discovery Education
Fun-damental: What’s the Matter?
Animation: Matter
Reading Passage: What Is Matter?
Video: Identifying Properties of Matter
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