Mohonasen Central School District - Elementary Curriculum Support Materials

This unit guide made possible by the collaborative efforts of Deb Kuebler & Lauri Phillips  - Grade 3 Teachers and Diana Jamack- Science Lab Specialist

Key Vocabulary

Resource List

All references to "Standards" below are the New York State Elementary Core Curriculum Science Standards 

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Key Vocabulary

Resource List

Title: “What is matter and what are its three main states?”

• Skill lesson #1

• SWBAT define matter and sort pictures of objects into solids, liquids, and gases

Standards: Inquiry and Process skills based on all standards (page 4; Elementary Science Core Curriculum)

Solid

Liquid

Gas

Matter

State (Physical State)

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Standards: Inquiry and Process skills based on all standards (page 4; Elementary Science Core Curriculum)

Observe

Title: “How do we define properties?”

• Skill lesson #3

• SWBAT describe / define an object by its properties

Standards: Inquiry and Process skills based on all standards (page 4; Elementary Science Core Curriculum)

Property

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Title: “How do we classify objects?”

• Skill lesson #4

• SWBAT classify objects by their physical properties

Standards: Inquiry and Process skills based on all standards (page 4; Elementary Science Core Curriculum)

Classification

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Title: “Does it Matter?”

• Using 5 senses S will explore, classify, & describe properties of matter

Standards: Inquiry and Process skills based on all standards (page 4; Elementary Science Core Curriculum)

Senses

Matter

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Title: “Using a Hand Lens”

• Skill Lesson #5

• SWBAT use a hands lens correctly to make more detailed observations

Standards: Inquiry and Process skills based on all standards (page 4; Elementary Science Core Curriculum)

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Title: “Measuring Solids”

• Skill lesson #6

• SWBAT measure a solid for one of its dimensions

 Standards: Inquiry and Process skills based on all standards (page 4; Elementary Science Core Curriculum)

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Title: “Measuring Liquids”

• Skill lesson #7

• SWBAT measure a liquid for its volume using a graduated cylinder that is either given to them, or produced in class

Standards: Inquiry and Process skills based on all standards (page 4; Elementary Science Core Curriculum)

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Title: “Measuring Mass and Volume”

• SWBAT find the masses of two different nails

• Observe properties of a liquid

 Standards: Inquiry and Process skills based on all standards (page 4; Elementary Science Core Curriculum)

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Title: “Identifying the mystery object”

• SWBAT utilize observation and classification skills from previous lessons to identify unknown objects

 Standards: PS [MU: 3.1b, 3.1e, 3.1c ]

3.1b

Matter has properties (color, hardness, odor, sound, taste, etc.) that can be observed through the senses.

3.1c

Objects have properties that can be observed, described, and/or measured: length, width, volume, size, shape, mass or weight, temperature, texture, flexibility, “reflectiveness” of light.

3.1e

The material(s) an object is made up of determine some specific properties of the object (sink/float, conductivity, magnetism). Properties can be observed or measured with tools such as hand lenses, metric rulers, thermometers, balances, magnets, circuit testers, and graduated cylinders.

Property

Senses

Shape

Color

Texture

Odor

Matter

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Title: “Thinking about chemicals”

• S set-up notebook / journal for recording observations / ideas

• S share what they know about chemicals & what they would like to learn

• S observe unknown and describe its properties

Standards: PS [MU: 3.1b, 3.1c, 3.1e]

See lesson #8

Chemicals

Observation

Experiments

Evidence

Matter

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Title: “States of Matter”

• S will observe the changes in state from solid, to liquid, to gas

• S will understand that no mass is lost in changes of state

Standards: PS [MU: 3.2a, 3.2b, 3.2c]

3.2a

Matter exists in three states: solid, liquid, gas.

• solids have a definite shape and volume

• liquids do not have a definite shape but have a definite volume

• gases do not hold their shape or volume

3.2b

Temperature can affect the state of matter of a substance.

3.2c

Changes in the properties or materials of objects can be observed and described.

Solid

Liquid

Gas

Water Vapor

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Title: “Exploring the Five unknown Solids”

• Reviewing the States of Matter

 Standards: PS  [MU:3.1b, 3.1c, 3.1d,  3.1e, 3.2c]

3.1b

Matter has properties (color, hardness, odor, sound, taste, etc.) that can be observed through the senses.

3.1c

Objects have properties that can be observed, described, and/or measured: length, width, volume, size, shape, mass or weight, temperature, texture, flexibility, “reflectiveness” of light.

3.1d

Measurements can be made with standard metric units and nonstandard units.

(Note: Exceptions to the metric system usage are found in meteorology.)

3.1e

The material(s) an object is made up of determine some specific properties of the object (sink/float, conductivity, magnetism). Properties can be observed or measured with tools such as hand lenses, metric rulers, thermometers, balances, magnets, circuit testers, and graduated cylinders.

3.2c

Changes in the properties or materials of objects can be observed and described.

Crystals

Shape

Hardness

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Title: “Testing Unknown Solids with Water”

• S predict what will happen when drops of water are added to unknowns

• S investigate effects of mixing each unknown with water

Standards: PS [MU: 3.1 b-g, 3.2c]

3.1b

Matter has properties (color, hardness, odor, sound, taste, etc.) that can be observed through the senses.

3.1c

Objects have properties that can be observed, described, and/or measured: length, width, volume, size, shape, mass or weight, temperature, texture, flexibility, “reflectiveness” of light.

3.1d

Measurements can be made with standard metric units and nonstandard units.

(Note: Exceptions to the metric system usage are found in meteorology.)

3.1e

The material(s) an object is made up of determine some specific properties of the object (sink/float, conductivity, magnetism). Properties can be observed or measured with tools such as hand lenses, metric rulers, thermometers, balances, magnets, circuit testers, and graduated cylinders.

3.1f

Objects and/or materials can be sorted or classified according to their properties.

3.1g

Some properties of an object are dependent on the conditions of the present

surroundings in which the object exists. For example:

• temperature - hot or cold

• lighting - shadows, color

• moisture - wet or dry

3.2c

Changes in the properties or materials of objects can be observed and described.

Mixture

Dissolve

Volume

Text: E41

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Title: “Physical Changes in Matter”

• S will combine various forms of matter to make mixtures

• S will understand that solutions (salt, or sugar water) and mixtures do create new substances and that the original matter can be recovered

Standards: PS [MU:                ]

Physical Change

Text: E40

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Title: “Separate a Mixture”

• S will plan and conduct an investigation to discover methods to separate different mixtures

Standards: PS [MU:  3.1a, 3.1g]

3.1a

Matter takes up space and has mass. Two objects cannot occupy the same place at the same time.

3.1g

Some properties of an object are dependent on the conditions of the present

surroundings in which the object exists. For example:

• temperature - hot or cold

• lighting - shadows, color

• moisture - wet or dry

Physical Change

Mixture

Matter

Property

Text: E38-39

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Title: “Exploring Water Mixtures”

• S predict & investigate what will happen when a > amount of water is mixed w/ unknown solids

• S observe and record results

• S filter mixtures to explore further the physical properties of solids

• S discuss observations after filtering liquid mixtures

Standards: PS [MU: 3.1d, 3.1g, 3.2c]

See above

Solution

Suspension

Filtration

Dissolve

Text: E42-43

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Title:  “The Water Cycle”

• S will understand that while water changes state, it does not chemically change during the water cycle.

Standards: PS [MU: 2.1c, 4.1d]

2.1c

Water is recycled by natural processes on Earth.

• evaporation: changing of water (liquid) into water vapor (gas)

• condensation: changing of water vapor (gas) into water (liquid)

• precipitation: rain, sleet, snow, hail

• runoff: water flowing on Earth’s surface

• groundwater: water that moves downward into the ground

4.1d

Energy and matter interact: water is evaporated by the Sun’s heat; a bulb is lighted by means of electrical current; a musical instrument is played to produce sound; dark colors may absorb light, light colors may reflect light.

Evaporation

Condensation

Precipitation

Water Cycle

Recycled

Physical Change

Chemical Change

Text:  D16-19

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Title: “Discovering Crystals”

• S predict, observe, & discuss filtration results of mixtures created in lesson (STC #) 5

• S record observations in a table of their own design

• S continue to explore properties of 2 types of mixtures, solutions, & suspensions

Standards: PS [MU: 3.1b, 3.1g, 3.2c]

See above

Crystal

Mixture

Solution

Suspension

Filtration

Filter

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Title: “Chemical Change Lab”  To Be Developed

Standards: PS [MU:                ]

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Title: “Chemical Changes in Matter”

• Excerpted from text / see pages to right -->

Standards: PS [MU: 3.1b, 3.1c, 3.1d, 3.1e, 3.2c ]

See above

Chemical Change

Text: E46-E49

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Title:  “Testing Unknown Solids with Vinegar”

• S predict results of testing 5 unknowns with vinegar

• S test and record results of mixing unknowns with vinegar

• S discuss how use of “compare circle,” or control, helps to interpret results

Standards: PS [MU: 3.1b, 3.1c, 3.1d, 3.1e, 3.2c ]

See above

Vinegar

Solid

Gas

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Title:  “Testing Unknown Solids with Iodine”

• S predict results of testing 5 unknowns w/ Iodine

• S test unknowns & discuss observations

• S continue to learn safety guidelines for working w/ chemicals

Standards: PS [MU: 3.1b, 3.1c, 3.1d, 3.1e, 3.2c]

See above

Iodine

Solid

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Title:  “Testing Unknown Solids with Red Cabbage Juice”

• S predict results of testing 5 unknowns with Red Cabbage Juice

• S test and record observations

• S reflect in writing and discussion what they have learned thus far

Standards: PS [MU:                ]

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Title:  “Testing Unknown Solids with Heat”

• S predict results of testing 5 unknowns w/ heat

• S test unknowns and record results

• S discuss new safety guidelines when heating materials

Standards: PS [MU: 3.1b, 3.1c, 3.1d, 3.1e, 3.1g, 3.2b, 3.2c]

3.1g

Some properties of an object are dependent on the conditions of the present

surroundings in which the object exists. For example:

• temperature - hot or cold

• lighting - shadows, color

• moisture - wet or dry

3.2b

Temperature can affect the state of matter of a substance.

All other see above

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Title:  “Reviewing the Evidence”

• S create summary tables to organize their results

• S summarize & analyze results to discriminate differences between unknowns

• S predict identities of unknowns using all data thus far

Standards: PS [MU: 3.1f]

3.1f

Objects and/or materials can be sorted or classified according to their properties.

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Title:  “Identifying the Unknown Solids”

• S use process of comparing test data w/ reliable source to identify unknowns

• S read about how 5 unknowns are used in daily applications

Standards: PS [MU: 3.1f]

3.1f

Objects and/or materials can be sorted or classified according to their properties.

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Title:  “Identifying the Mystery Bag Chemical”

• S review process thus far

• S develop & apply testing strategy to identify the contents of mystery bag from lesson (STC #) 1.

• Using their test results, S analyze their recorded data, draw conclusions, & support

Standards: PS [MU: 3.1f]

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