Matter

This week in science we started our Matter Unit! 

On Tuesday, we learned about the three states of matter by observing three bags. The first bag was filled with marbles, the second bag was filled with water and the third bag was filled with air. The students worked in groups to describe each bag. Each group came to the conclusion that the marbles were hard, the water was jiggly, and the air bag looked empty. 

After, we discussed the difference between solids, liquids and gases. We can feel the hard shape of a solid, we can pour a liquid and air is a gas. We came to the conclusion that everything in the world is matter. To finish off the lesson the students drew an example of a solid, liquid and a gas. 

On Thursday, we learned about atoms and molecules. The students used magnifying glasses to look at the properties of objects around the classroom. What properties could they see with their magnifying glass that they couldn't see before? We could see that all of the objects in the classroom are made up of smaller and smaller bits. All matter is made up of tiny particles that we can't always see, even with a magnifying glass. These are called atoms, and even atoms are made up of smaller bits called molecules. There are different molecules and atoms in every object. The molecules in wood are different from the ones in water. 

Then, the students acted like atoms/molecules. First, the students stood on the carpet grouped together. They could see that when they are "solidly" packed that there is no room to move. In solids, the atoms and their molecules are tightly packed together with very little room to move. There are lots of atoms in a solid object and they move as one.

Then, a few students stepped off the carpet. The students left over had more room to move around. This is the way atoms and molecules work in a liquid. If liquid is poured, the atoms can "flow" to another place.

Then, a few more students stepped off the carpet. The students left over had LOTS of room to move around freely. With gases, there are fewer atoms and molecules so they are constantly moving around. 

On Friday, we focused on solids. We reviewed that solids have a shape of their own. Then, we learned a poem.

A solid is a solid,

And it always takes up space.

It has some weight and has a shape,

A ball, a book, your face.

You are a solid,

And so is your chair.

Just look in your classroom--

Wow! They're everywhere! 

We discussed what taking up space means, then we looked around the classroom to see what objects take up space. 

The students were each given different boxes. They had to fill the boxes up with blocks. They saw that blocks needed space. They also noticed that the blocks were heavy; therefore solids have weight. 

After, we discussed that people are solids too. We can move, we have a shape and we take up space. To demonstrate one of the students went into a box. They still maintained their shape, and they took up most of the space in the box.