1. Practicing Science: Observing the Natural World of Matter Grades 3-5
Mary Tweedy, Curriculum Support Specialist
Keisha Kidd, Curriculum Support Specialist
Dr. Millard Lightburn, District Science Supervisor
Department of Mathematics and Science
Office of Accountability and Transformation

2. 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?

3. What do we use to help us observe?
Measurement Tools
Ruler
Tape measure
Balance
Spring Scale
Graduated cylinder
Thermometer
Quantitative Observations
Five Senses
Sight - Looks
Touch - Feels
Hearing – Sounds
when moving…
Odor – Smells
Tastes
Qualitative
Observations

4. Observing and Measuring Matter
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.
Choose an Object to Observe
Choose an Observation Type
Thumb Pencil Book Desk Chair Penny Drop of Water Rock Shell Plant Leaf Flower Starburst candy Other
Center Activity

5. Investigation One
Open up your bag of objects and place them on the tray.
List each object in your notebook as you observe it.
Use your senses to make qualitative observations. Write down words to describe each object.
Use your measurement tools to make quantitative observations and record for each object.
Look over your observation notes and put all the objects that share a property together in one group. Write down the common property.
What word describes the object(s) left over? If more than one do they have a property in common?
Now classify the objects into another group and do steps 5 and 6.

6. Properties or characteristics of Matter List
Color Shape Size Luster Texture Mass Weight Length Volume State/Phase (solid, liquid or gas)
Study Jams Matter video

7. Match the Property Being Tested
Absorbent
Elastic
Electrical Conductor
Flexible
Magnetic
Hard
Transparent
Does the material stretch and then return to shape?
Does electricity flow when the material is used to complete the circuit?
Is the magnet attracted to the material?
Can a penny scratch the material?
Can you see through the material?
Does the material bend without breaking?
Does the material change when dipped into water?

8. Investigation Two
Equipment 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.
Does the material change when dipped into water?
Does the material stretch and then return to shape?
Does electricity flow when the material is used to complete the circuit?
Is the magnet attracted to the material?
Can you scratch the material? (fingernail, penny…)
Can you see through the material? (light travels through)
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.

9. Investigation Two Make predictions, test and then record test results on lab sheet chart. Compare. Last add an opposite for each property.
Absorbent
Elastic
Conductor of
Electricity
Flexible
Magnetic
Hard
Transparent
Predict
Actual 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
*Opposite *

10. Properties of Matter List ( What can be added?)
Color Shape Size Luster Texture Mass Weight Volume State/Phase (solid, liquid or gas)
Flexible Elastic Magnetic Conductor of electricity Ability to sink or float in water Ability to Dissolve in a liquid or solubility
Study Jams Matter video

11. Mystery MATTER (Show What You Know)
Pick a small object that will fit in a paper bag.
Make quantitative observations (mass, length, height, volume…)
Make qualitative observations (texture, luster, flexibility, magnetic …)
Use these observations to write a description including properties that will help others identify this mystery matter.
Share your description with classmates and have them guess what your mystery object is.

12. Mystery MATTER Connected Learning (Choose a mystery object identified and do the following reflection.)
Was there a property that helped you determine the mystery object’s identity easier than other properties? Explain.
Which observations were quantitative?
Which observations were qualitative?
What are you wondering now?

13. No? What Property is needed? What would be a good material?
Investigation Three
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:
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?

14. Investigation Four Choose an object to design.
It could be an umbrella, a sneaker, a backpack or something else.
Think about what property the object needs. For example: an umbrella needs to be waterproof. What else?
tough, flexible
4. Decide on what would be a good material.
Draw the design and label the materials to be used
and their properties.