Science Planned Unit: Matter

This lesson is composed of 8 lessons with 4 formal, summative assessments that expand
upon students knowledge of matter and the difference between physical and chemical changes.

Lesson 1: What is matter?

o This lesson introduces the definition of matter and the three states of matter that are
most common in our world. By the end of the lesson, the students will be aware of
the states of matter and how they differ from each other in terms of the amount of

space and the shape that they take when transferred from one object to another.
Lesson 2: How can we observe matter?
o Students will use their five senses to observe solids and liquids in its most common
form. Observations will be done in groups and compared in a Venn Diagram in order
to show students the commonalities between liquids and solids in two different

forms.
Lesson 3: What is the molecular structure of a solid, liquid, and gas?
o This lesson will provide students with the way in which the molecules interact in a
solid, liquid, or gas. The structures will be presented through videos, visuals, and
kinesthetically as a closure activity. The students will use their prior knowledge of
the definition of all 3 states of matter to decide why the structures follow the pattern

they do.
Lesson 4: Can the states of matter change?
o Students will learn of the state changes and definitions of each. They will learn the
effects of adding and taking away heat and what each turns into through video

demonstrations, real world examples, and using their bodies to show the differences.
Lesson 5: What are mixtures and solutions?
o This lesson includes an observational experiment in which students will rotate
through stations and determine whether or not certain materials can be easily
separated or not. This will help them to formulate the definitions of mixtures and

solutions on their own. The observation stations will be discussed at the end of class
and the definitions of mixtures and solutions will be provided with additional

examples.
Lesson 6: What is a physical change?
o Students will learn the characteristics of a physical change through incorporating
their prior knowledge of mixtures and solutions and determining how they are
physical changes. Learning will be based off of taking notes through videos as well

as real world demonstrations of physical changes.

Lesson 7: What is a chemical change?
o This lesson will follow a similar pattern to lesson 6 in that chemical changes will be
introduced through taking notes off of videos and real demonstrations. Students will
start to develop a sense of understanding of how physical and chemical changes

differ.
Lesson 8: What is the difference between a physical and chemical change?
o Students will be able to determine the difference between physical and chemical
changes through taking notes keywords and then working on a kahoot review game
on the computers as a class. Students will be given scenarios and will be asked
whether or not a physical or chemical change is occurring.