CKSci Unit 1: Properties of Matter
Focus:
In this unit, students learn that matter, the “stuff” of which everything is made, exists in many forms. Students will practice sorting and grouping materials by characteristics, called properties, and investigate how the properties of different types of matter make them useful for different tasks. Students take measurements, which permit simple comparisons of different objects.
Students explore concepts that include the following:
- Different forms of matter exist and can be solid, liquid, or gas depending on the temperature.
- Matter can be described and classified by its observable and measurable properties.
- Different properties of matter are suited to different purposes.
- A variety of objects can be built up from a small set of pieces.
- Heating and cooling a substance may cause an observable change that may or may not be reversible.
Engineers and engineering designers use knowledge of the properties of matter, as they use materials in design solutions, to make things that are useful to people. This series of lessons incorporates learning goals that support the principles and practices of engineering design, such as defining problems, testing materials, and evaluating possible solutions.
Number of Lessons: 4 (Each lesson is divided into three to five lesson segments.)
Instruction Time:
- Each Lesson may be divided into Lesson Segments.
- Each Lesson Segment is designed to be completed in one 30–45-minute class period.
- Some single-day activities and performance tasks might require setting aside a longer block of time.
- This Unit should be completed between 25–37 classroom days.
- A Pacing Guide Template is provided within the Teacher Guide so teachers can map out customized instructional days for this unit.
- A complete list of Materials needed to complete the unit is provided in Online Resources.
Additional Search Terms:
matter • property • gas • liquid • solid • observe • sort • temperature • thermometer • heating • hardness • porous • strength • absorption • change • phase • prediction • nonfiction • informational text
