What’s the Matter?
To teach children about the types of matter, fold a large paper into three sections.
Have children draw an object of their choice under SOLID, a water line in the middle of LIQUID, and nothing below GAS.
Use the template below or give children a large piece of paper the fold into thirds.
Children can tear pieces of paper or use stickers to fill up their types of matter, packing them together tightly in the solid, loosely below the line for liquid and scrambled all over for gas.
For an added challenge, have children put the exact same number of stickers in each section (making sure that their solid has a shape that is based on the stickers all being tightly packed).
Oobleck
Oobleck is such a great class activity. Use this recipe to teach children about Non-Newtonian liquid. Please make sure students understand that while this is made from edible ingredients, the final product is not edible.
Ingredients:
2 cups cornstarch
1 cup water
Optional: 3 drops food coloring
Prepare all ingredients ahead of time.
If possible, do this experiment outside.
If indoors, cover table and floor below it with bulletin board paper.
It is recommended to give parents a head’s up that their children’s clothes may come back messy.
Begin with the cornstarch in a bowl.
Add in 1/4 cup of water at a time, stirring slowly with a craft stick.
Once the oobleck as the desired consistency, stop adding water, even if it does not all get used.
Students will have lot of fun poking the oobleck as a solid, then slowly pushing their fingers into it as a liquid.
If you want each child to make their own oobleck, it can be sent home in a plastic bag, or you can request that parents send in a small container for it.
Warning! Oobleck is perishable and will harden or even develop a nasty smell when left out. If you are not keeping it in the refrigerator, throw it out in a trash can outside your classroom.
Teach Grow Sow 