Our science lessons for this semester begin with discussing the properties of matter.
- Matter takes up space.
- Matter can be weighed.
The students are also learning about the 3 forms of matter (solid, liquid, and gas). Our science book (Science 1 for Christian Schools) gave several different experiments to introduce the students to these concepts.
Matter Takes Up Space
What you'll need:
- clear jar or container half-filled with water
- flashlight
- rock
- bottle of glue
Before starting, you might want to mark the water line on your jar or container (either with a marker or a piece of masking tape). This will let your students see the original water line later in the experiment.
- Speak at the water. Ask the students, "Did my voice cause the water to rise?"
- Shine the light at the water. Ask, "Did the light cause the water to rise?"
- Place the rock in the water. Ask, "Did the rock cause the water to rise?"
- Remove the rock, and place the glue bottle in the water. Ask, "Did the bottle cause the water to rise?"
Discuss with the students why the rock and the bottle caused the water to rise. The rock and the bottle take up space. Matter is a word we use to describe something that takes up space. Since your voice and the light did not cause the water to rise, they are not matter. Instead, we call them energy.
Matter Can Be Weighed
What you'll need:
- small scale (I simply used my kitchen scale that I use for weighing food)
- flashlight
- rock
- bottle of glue
- Speak at the scale. Ask the students, "Does my voice have weight?"
- Shine the light at the scale. "Does the light have weight?"
- Place the rock on the scale. "Does the rock have weight?"
- Remove the rock and place the bottle of glue on the scale? "Does the bottle have weight?"
Discuss with the students why the rock and the bottle have weight . . . because they are matter. Your voice and the light did not cause the numbers on the scale to rise, therefore light and sound are not matter.
Visuals
Granted, these are simplistic experiments, but my boys found them amusing. The experiments are also educational and extremely visual.
To introduce the 3 different forms of matter, I created a fun, interactive poster.
Using poster board, construction paper, and Velcro, I put this hands-on visual together. The 3 categories are listed with Velcro underneath to attach the correct items. The pictures of the rock, water, air, milk, and apple are all removable.
But I'm not an artist, you say. No problem. These days pictures and fancy lettering can easily be printed off the computer, even using simple programs such as Microsoft Word. To create my worksheets, I frequently use the Clip-art feature in Word. Browsing the web is also a great way to find the right pictures you need.
Check out this wonderful site for some cute graphics: My Cute Graphics
No matter what your lesson might be, develop something visual and hands-on for your struggling learners . . . even if it's simplistic, most students will enjoy having something to do rather than just sitting still and listening.
Enjoy!