StudyJams! Solids, Liquids and Gases Teacher's Guide
- Grades: 3–5
An animated video is used to introduce the differences between solids, liquids, and gases. Students participate in an activity to demonstrate their understanding of how molecules behave differently in solids, liquids, and gases.
- Recognize that matter has three forms: solid, liquid, and gas
- Demonstrate understanding that each state of matter has distinct properties
- Explain the role of heat in changing matter from one property to another
- StudyJams! video: Matter
- Paper: 1 piece per team
- 1 index card per student
- TV/projector screen
Set Up and Prepare
- Connect computer to tv/projector screen
- Print and copy lyrics for karaoke song
- Bookmark StudyJams! Solids, Liquids, & Gases student activity page
- Introduce the concept of states of matter by showing the StudyJams! video on Matter.
- Have students stand up by their desks. Tell them they represent water molecules transitioning through different states of matter. Explain that when you call out a state of matter, you want them to move like the molecules at that state.
- Call out a state of matter, such as “SOLID.” Students should walk very slowly around the room.
- Call out “FIRE UP……..LIQUID.” Students should begin to walk more quickly around the room.
- Call out “FIRE UP…….GAS.” Students should walk even faster around the room.
- Call out “COOL DOWN……LIQUID.” Students should walk a bit slower.
- Call out “COOL DOWN……SOLID.” Students should walk very slowly.
- After students correctly demonstrate an understanding of the movement of molecules, have them respond with the correct vocabulary word defining each transition.
- Pass out index cards. Students write CONDENSATION on one side of the index card and EVAPORATION on the other.
- Students stand up again. When students go from liquid to gas, have them yell out EVAPORATION and hold up index card with the vocabulary word on it.
- When students go from gas to liquid, have them yell out CONDENSATION and hold up side of index card with vocabulary word on it.
- Students pair into teams to find and record examples of solids, liquids, and gases. Optional: Have students walk around campus/classroom recording their observations.
- Students share their observations.
- Pass out lyrics to students and sing karaoke song.
- Turn the vocals off and have the students practice the song.
- Have students complete the quiz portion in teams.
Supporting All LearnersWorking in pairs to record observations helps students understand the concept of states of matter. Participating in a demonstration facilitates the understanding of an abstract concept. Yelling out the vocabulary word while demonstrating the movement helps students make authentic connections. Advanced learners can analyze the periodic table, and classify the elements as solids or gases. Students can also create their own lyrics to the song.
- Students complete matter chart in pairs.
- Students complete assessment with partner.
- Were students’ movements representative of the molecules’ movements?
- Did students record their observations in the appropriate categories?
- Did the song reinforce key concepts learned in the lesson?
- Students complete matter chart.
- Students respond to prompt with correct vocabulary word.
- Groups complete assessment questions.