Children's Books
The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter Wonder. By Mark Cassino. (2009). 36p. Chronicle Books, (978-0811868662). Gr. 2-6.
This book is about the formation of snow crystals and the ink drawings and magnified photographs provide views of these six-sided crystals. Formation of star-, plate-, and column-shaped crystals is also described. It also provides the students with an understanding of how crystals and flakes grow in the clouds and how temperature and other factors on the way down further affect the diversity of snowflakes.
This book is about the formation of snow crystals and the ink drawings and magnified photographs provide views of these six-sided crystals. Formation of star-, plate-, and column-shaped crystals is also described. It also provides the students with an understanding of how crystals and flakes grow in the clouds and how temperature and other factors on the way down further affect the diversity of snowflakes.
Did a Dinosaur Drink This Water? By Robert E. Wells. (2006). 32p. Albert Whitman & Company, (978-0807588406). Gr. 1-3.
This book introduces the water cycle. The information includes details about why plants and animals need water; the three states of water; how it moves through streams, rivers, and the ocean; and what happens to it after evaporation. How water is used on Earth and conservation issues are also discussed.
This book introduces the water cycle. The information includes details about why plants and animals need water; the three states of water; how it moves through streams, rivers, and the ocean; and what happens to it after evaporation. How water is used on Earth and conservation issues are also discussed.
What is the World Made Of? All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases. By Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld and Paul Meisel. (1998). 32p. HarperCollins, (978-0064451635). Gr. 1-3.
The book gives examples of each state of matter and some simple activities that demonstrate the attributes of each. The last page presents three related science experiments.
The book gives examples of each state of matter and some simple activities that demonstrate the attributes of each. The last page presents three related science experiments.
Air is All Around You. By Franklyn M. Branley. Illus. by John O'Brien. (2006). 40p. HarperCollins, (978-0060594152). Gr. Pre-2.
This book introduces the concept of air, its presence in our world, and its importance to the environment. The text describes several interesting facts, clearly explaining ideas and incorporating experiments that are easy to reproduce at home or in the classroom. The appealing artwork supports the narrative and takes readers on a journey through the natural world.
This book introduces the concept of air, its presence in our world, and its importance to the environment. The text describes several interesting facts, clearly explaining ideas and incorporating experiments that are easy to reproduce at home or in the classroom. The appealing artwork supports the narrative and takes readers on a journey through the natural world.
Web Sites for Kids
Solids, Liquids, & Gases - Interactive Game
In this game students act as an agent and have to identify various solids, liquids, and gases in order to destroy the listening devices, or bugs, in the kitchen. When each state of matter is correctly identified a blurb pops up describing that particular state of matter and its characteristics.
Changing States - Interactive Game
In this game the student will have to change the state of water by heating it (melting ice into a liquid, liquid into a gas) or cooling it (freezing water into ice) in order to survive in the Arctic. Students will need to figure out whether heat or cold is needed to create drinking water, clean the water (evaporation), or to change the steam back into water (condensation). At the end of the game they can watch a video about the changing of the states of matter.
Sorting Solids, Liquids, & Gases - Interactive Game
This game helps students learn about solids, liquids and gases by experimenting with the conditions that change them from one form to another. Water is a common example as it exists in all three forms, you’ve no doubt seen it as ice, liquid water and steam. The students are challenged to find the correct category for other examples such as milk, sand, rain, helium, wood and air. Students can also watch what happens when you heat liquids and cool gases.
Is it a Solid, Liquid, or Gas? - Interactive Game
In this game students will have to correctly sort everyday, household items into the appropriate category of solid, liquid, or gas. With each item a hint is given about whether or not it pours, if it maintains its shape, etc.
In this game students act as an agent and have to identify various solids, liquids, and gases in order to destroy the listening devices, or bugs, in the kitchen. When each state of matter is correctly identified a blurb pops up describing that particular state of matter and its characteristics.
Changing States - Interactive Game
In this game the student will have to change the state of water by heating it (melting ice into a liquid, liquid into a gas) or cooling it (freezing water into ice) in order to survive in the Arctic. Students will need to figure out whether heat or cold is needed to create drinking water, clean the water (evaporation), or to change the steam back into water (condensation). At the end of the game they can watch a video about the changing of the states of matter.
Sorting Solids, Liquids, & Gases - Interactive Game
This game helps students learn about solids, liquids and gases by experimenting with the conditions that change them from one form to another. Water is a common example as it exists in all three forms, you’ve no doubt seen it as ice, liquid water and steam. The students are challenged to find the correct category for other examples such as milk, sand, rain, helium, wood and air. Students can also watch what happens when you heat liquids and cool gases.
Is it a Solid, Liquid, or Gas? - Interactive Game
In this game students will have to correctly sort everyday, household items into the appropriate category of solid, liquid, or gas. With each item a hint is given about whether or not it pours, if it maintains its shape, etc.
Teacher Resources - Lessons/Activities
The Water Cycle
This lesson focuses on the different states of matter throughout the water cycle. Students will have the opportunity to create and observe a water cycle using plastic cups, ice, and a rock. At the end of the lesson there are worksheets with questions to further enhance students comprehension of the water cycle, as well as a song about the water cycle.
What Makes a Solid a Solid?
This lessons focuses on identifying the specific characteristics and properties of a solid, liquid, and a gas. Students will observe and learn that solids keep their shape and have a definite volume, liquids have a definite volume and it takes the shape of its container, and gas does not have a definite shape and it does not have a definite volume.
Properties of Matter Song
This is a song that can be taught to students to help them remember the different properties of the different states of matter. It is sung to the tune of 'Oh Dear What Can the Matter Be?'
Solids, Liquids, Gases Song
This song is a fun way to show the students the different properties of each state of matter. The tune of the song speeds up or slows down depending on the speed of the molecules in that specific state of matter (for example the song is the slowest when talking about solids and the fastest when talking about gases).
The Life Cycle of a Snowman
This activity is a fun and interactive way for the students to see the different states of matter through the life cycle of a snowman. The class builds a snowman and throughout the day notice the changes in their snowman.
States of Matter Anchor Chart
This is a great example of an anchor chart that can be created with the students about to different states of matter and their specific properties.
This lesson focuses on the different states of matter throughout the water cycle. Students will have the opportunity to create and observe a water cycle using plastic cups, ice, and a rock. At the end of the lesson there are worksheets with questions to further enhance students comprehension of the water cycle, as well as a song about the water cycle.
What Makes a Solid a Solid?
This lessons focuses on identifying the specific characteristics and properties of a solid, liquid, and a gas. Students will observe and learn that solids keep their shape and have a definite volume, liquids have a definite volume and it takes the shape of its container, and gas does not have a definite shape and it does not have a definite volume.
Properties of Matter Song
This is a song that can be taught to students to help them remember the different properties of the different states of matter. It is sung to the tune of 'Oh Dear What Can the Matter Be?'
Solids, Liquids, Gases Song
This song is a fun way to show the students the different properties of each state of matter. The tune of the song speeds up or slows down depending on the speed of the molecules in that specific state of matter (for example the song is the slowest when talking about solids and the fastest when talking about gases).
The Life Cycle of a Snowman
This activity is a fun and interactive way for the students to see the different states of matter through the life cycle of a snowman. The class builds a snowman and throughout the day notice the changes in their snowman.
States of Matter Anchor Chart
This is a great example of an anchor chart that can be created with the students about to different states of matter and their specific properties.
Teacher Resources - Assessment
The Many States of Water Worksheet
This worksheet is a good way to assess student's understanding of the different states of matter. They are provided a word blank and need to fill in the blanks with the correct word relating to the states of matter. There is also an answer key attached.
Matter ABC
This activity not only reinforces the vocabulary used during the matter unit, but it also incorporates language arts by having the students list the vocabulary words in alphabetical order. This too has an answer key attached.
States of Matter Graphic Organizer
With this worksheet you could provide students with lots of examples of different states of matter and have them sort the objects into the appropriate column. An extension of this activity could be having students write a one sentence explanation as to why they sorted a specific object into the column that they did.
Matter BINGO
This activity can act as a review or an assessment. The teacher will read the clue about a state of matter and students should find a matching state of matter box to and write in that clue. When they get five in a row, they should call out BINGO and should read each fact/example and what state of matter they matched it with.
This worksheet is a good way to assess student's understanding of the different states of matter. They are provided a word blank and need to fill in the blanks with the correct word relating to the states of matter. There is also an answer key attached.
Matter ABC
This activity not only reinforces the vocabulary used during the matter unit, but it also incorporates language arts by having the students list the vocabulary words in alphabetical order. This too has an answer key attached.
States of Matter Graphic Organizer
With this worksheet you could provide students with lots of examples of different states of matter and have them sort the objects into the appropriate column. An extension of this activity could be having students write a one sentence explanation as to why they sorted a specific object into the column that they did.
Matter BINGO
This activity can act as a review or an assessment. The teacher will read the clue about a state of matter and students should find a matching state of matter box to and write in that clue. When they get five in a row, they should call out BINGO and should read each fact/example and what state of matter they matched it with.