Make the States of Matter Easy to Understand
Are you getting ready to teach all about solids, liquids, and gases in your classroom? In this post I’ll share plenty of activities, experiments, and ideas to use when you’re wondering how to teach states of matter to 2nd and 3rd grade students!
Any time you begin a new science topic, it can feel a bit daunting. The good news is, students encounter solids, liquids, and gases during life each day! From the ice in their drinks to the water they pour into a cup and the air inside a balloon, there are plenty of examples to use right in the classroom.
I like to begin with lots of familiar, real-life examples and build from there. Simple, hands-on activities, and opportunities to observe matter are all you need to begin. Then you’re on your way to helping students understand the differences between solids, liquids, and gases.
As students become more comfortable with the three states of matter, you can introduce properties of matter and explore how matter changes.
Start by teaching what matter is
Before heading straight into what a solid, liquid, or gas is, it’s important to begin with the basics. You want to make sure students have a firm understanding of what matter is in the first place.
Matter is anything has mass and takes up space. Students need to understand it can be things they see every day, and even things they cannot see like the air around them.
Understand that air takes up space is normally a bit more challenging for students to understand. You can help by simply blowing up a balloon. Talk about how the air takes up space and causes the balloon to expand. The balloon expanding is proof the air takes up space.
Introduce Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Once students understand what matter actually is, introduce the three states of matter. There’s so many ways to do this! I like to use short poems, anchor charts and quick activities to help students identify which is which.
Solids
Gather a few items that students can see and touch. Explain that solids have a definite shape and volume. You can have students call out other solids they see around the classroom.
Liquids
Next, talk to students about liquids. Solids and liquids should be pretty easy for students to understand. Explain that liquids have a definite volume but they can take the shape of whatever container they are in. If you can, demonstrate to students by pouring the same amount of water into a bowl and then into a cup. See if students can explain what changed and what stayed the same.
Gases
Gases can be a little more tricky for students to grasp, because they aren’t always able to be seen. Talking about air is a good starting point to help students understand gases. Explain to students that gases don’t have a definite shape or volume and they spread out to fill the space they’re in.
Teach the Properties of Matter
After you’ve explained the the three states of matter, no you’re ready to teach some of the properties of matter students can look for. We observe the properties of matter to help explain how objects are alike or different.
I like to start with the properties that are obvious like color, shape, and size. After students have a good understanding of those, then I like to introduce properties like flexibility and texture.
Give students an opportunity to group objects based on their properties, or tie in a grammar lesson by having them label different items with adjectives that describe their properties. For example, students might describe a cotton ball as soft, a rock as hard, or a rubber band as flexible. It’s a simple way to reinforce science vocabulary while practicing adjectives at the same time!
Once students are comfortable describing properties of matter, you can introduce the terms flexible and rigid. Then give them a little practice identifying objects that are one or the other.
Show Students How Matter Changes
Start with familiar examples when it comes to how matter can change. Melting and freezing are the two most common for students in their everyday life. Ask students what happens when a cup of ice sits out in the sun. The ice (solid) melts and turns to water (liquid). Or what will happen if you put that same cup that now has water (liquid) in it into a freezer? It will turn to ice (solid).
Then, introduce the other ways matter can change: evaporation and condensation. I like using anchor charts and examples students will be familiar with to explain these changes. Evaporation happens when a liquid changes into water vapor, often when it is heated. Condensation is when water vapor cools and it changes back into liquid water.
Hands-on states of Matter Experiments
A great way to help students understand the states of matter and how matter changes is through hands-on experiments. Experiments allow students to think deeper, make predictions and see science in action.
Sometimes when I hear experiments, I automatically get overwhelmed because they can require a lot of preparation. The good thing is, you really don’t need complicated materials or elaborate setups to do these matter experiments.
For example, students can observe how matter changes and investigate whether salt makes ice melt faster or use a few ingredients to make slime and describe its properties.
Inside of my Matter resource, you’ll find student matter investigation pages that encourage students to think closely about what happens and connect their observations with their learning.
States of Matter Task Cards and Reading Passages
Throughout this 2nd grade matter unit, you’ll also find several reading passages with comprehension questions – perfect for checking students understanding. The multiple choice task cards included are also a great partner or review activity.
States of Matter Review and Assessment
When your matter unit is complete, use this assessment at the end of the resource to check for understanding as well!
Planning your next science unit? Check out these weather books for 2nd and 3rd grade to find engaging read-clouds and simple activities to use while you teach about weather!