Practicing Science:Observing the Natural World of Matter

Grades 3-5

Mary Tweedy, Curriculum Support SpecialistKeisha Kidd, Curriculum Support Specialist

Dr. Millard Lightburn, District Science SupervisorDepartment of Mathematics and Science

Office of Accountability and Transformation

Practicing Science:Observing the Natural World of Matter

What is matter?The material or “stuff” everything is made of.

What are you doing if you are observing matter?

Observing matter means to carefully explore all of its properties.

Look around the room and identify some matter. What are some physical properties matter can have?Color, texture, odor, shape…

What are two properties that all matter share?All matter has mass and takes up space.

What did we just use to observe properties of matter?

What do we use to help us observe?

Five Senses

• Sight - Looks• Touch - Feels• Hearing – Sounds

when moving…• Odor – Smells • Tastes

Qualitative Observations

Measurement Tools

• Ruler • Tape measure• Balance• Spring Scale• Graduated cylinder• Thermometer

Quantitative Observations

Observing and Measuring Matter

Choose an Object to ObserveThumbPencilBookDeskChairPenny

Drop of WaterRockShellPlant Leaf

FlowerStarburst candy

Other

Choose an Observation Type

• List as many properties as you can about that object.

• What do you observe about that object quantitatively?

• What are all the things you observe directly about….?

• Describe how this object looks, feels, sounds, and/or smells.

Investigation One

1. Open up your bag of objects and place them on the tray.2. List each object in your notebook as you observe it.3. Use your senses to make qualitative observations. Write

down words to describe each object.4. Use your measurement tools to make quantitative

observations and record for each object.5. Look over your observation notes and put all the objects that

share a property together in one group. Write down the common property.

6. What word describes the object(s) left over? If more than one do they have a property in common?

7. Now classify the objects into another group and do steps 5 and 6.

Properties or characteristics of MatterList

ColorShape

SizeLuster

TextureMass

WeightLength Volume

State/Phase(solid, liquid or gas)

Match the Property Being Tested

1. Does the material stretch and then return to shape?

2. Does electricity flow when the material is used to complete the circuit?

3. Is the magnet attracted to the material?

4. Can a penny scratch the material?5. Can you see through the material?6. Does the material bend without

breaking?7. Does the material change when

dipped into water?

A. Absorbent

B. ElasticC. Electrical

Conductor

D. Flexible

E. Magnetic

F. Hard

G. Transparent

Investigation TwoEquipment Needed: lab sheet, container of water, flashlight, magnet, circuit (lightbulb & wires & battery in a holder connected)

Procedures: Read the test below and predict which properties apply to your group’s six objects. Then conduct the following tests using materials provided in order to identify which properties apply to your group’s six objects. Record results on chart. Compare predictions to results.

1. Does the material change when dipped into water?2. Does the material stretch and then return to shape?3. Does electricity flow when the material is used to complete the circuit?4. Is the magnet attracted to the material?5. Can you scratch the material? (fingernail, penny…)6. Can you see through the material? (light travels through) 7. Does the material bend without breaking?

Bonus: Try to think of a new way to classify your group of objects based on the test results.

Investigation Two Make predictions, test and then record test results on lab sheet chart. Compare. Last add an opposite for each property.

Absorbent

Elastic

Conductorof

Electricity

Flexible

Magnetic

Hard

Transparent

Predict Actual Predict Actual Predict Actual Predict Actual Predict Actual Predict Actual Predict Actual

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

*Opposite

* * * * * * *

Properties of Matter List( What can be added?)

ColorShape

SizeLuster

TextureMass

WeightVolume

State/Phase(solid, liquid or gas)

FlexibleElastic

Magnetic Conductor of electricityAbility to sink or float in

waterAbility to Dissolve in a liquid

or solubility

Mystery MATTER(Show What You Know)

1. Pick a small object that will fit in a paper bag.2. Make quantitative observations (mass, length, height,

volume…)3. Make qualitative observations (texture, luster,

flexibility, magnetic …)4. Use these observations to write a description including

properties that will help others identify this mystery matter.

5. Share your description with classmates and have them guess what your mystery object is.

Mystery MATTERConnected Learning

(Choose a mystery object identified and do the following reflection.)

1. Was there a property that helped you determine the mystery object’s identity easier than other properties? Explain.

2. Which observations were quantitative?3. Which observations were qualitative?4. What are you wondering now?

Investigation Three

Would you make:

No? What Property is needed?

What would be a good material?

A METAL window? transparency glass A STRING chair? A PAPER bucket? A RUBBER knife?

An ALUMINUM magnet? A METAL raincoat? A GLASS football?

What do we call characteristics that can be observed, measured, or changed without changing the object itself?

physical properties

They are the things that do not change about an object unless you change the material.

Try out the questions below:

Investigation Four

1. Choose an object to design. 2. It could be an umbrella, a sneaker, a backpack or

something else.3. Think about what property the object needs. For example:

an umbrella needs to be waterproof. What else? tough, flexible4. Decide on what would be a good material.5. Draw the design and label the materials to be used and their properties.