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Learning Experience/Unit

What Can the Matter Be?


Subject

English Language Arts (NYS P-12 Common Core)

Grade Levels

Elementary, 3rd Grade


Assessment

Please click this link for my assessment.

Learning Context/ Introduction

This Science Grade 3 Learning Experience titled "What Can the Matter Be?" includes reading a passage on Solids, Liquids, and Gases and creating an individual brochure from a template to categorize the properties of matter.

Duration

Day 1: 30 minutes

Day 2: 30 minutes

Day 3: 30 minutes, with additional 45 minute guest presentation-Brochure creation may take some students longer than others. Additional time was given as needed.

Day 4: 30 minutes

Essential Question

How do I identify the states of matter?

Instructional/Environment Modifications

None

Procedure

Day One:
  1. Watch the video from www.unitedstreaming.com- Properties of Matter, Part 2: Liquids, Solids and Gases- to introduce the topic. (17 minutes)
  2. Watch the movie a second time. Have students take notes in their Science notebook while viewing.
  3. Work on vocabulary (see words in vocabulary section below) by using index cards and putting these together on rings.

Day Two:
  1. We will read the poem "The Three States of Matter" and together move the words on the airliner interactively.
  2. We will do the sort activity on the airliner interactively.
  3. We will read the book Solid, Liquid, and Gas in class.
  4. Teacher will freeze water in an ice cube container overnight.

Day Three:
  1. Teacher will take out the ice cube container and let it melt in class today.
  2. In class, we will read the three paragraphs entitled "What's the Matter?"
  3. The students will be shown the rubric. Students were shown examples of three local brochures. Students were shown a brochure from a previous year's student to model what they are expected to construct.
  4. In the computer lab, the students will be directed, step-by-step, through the how to edit brochure document. At least two teachers will be available in the room for the sixteen students. The children will complete the brochure. This brochure was done in Print Shop. See attached below.
  5. Teacher will boil water in an electric frying pan and hold plexiglass above it to reinforce the concept of gas.
  6. Mr. Peter Pollock, a science teacher from Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown, gave a 45-minute lesson on solids, liquids, and gases in the classroom. The attached sheet, found below, was used during this lesson.
Day Four:
  • The CPS (Classroom Performance System) questions were given once the learning experience was finished. They were used as a review and discussion tool. See attached below.

*** Additional time or days may be needed to complete this learning experience.

  • Classroom Performance System Questions.doc

  • Peter wksht side 1.bmp
    Peter wksht side 2.BMP
  • Paragraphs.doc
  • How to edit Brochure.doc

  • sample brochure front
    sample brochure back

    Reflections and Feedback

    There was too much planned for Day One . Watching the video twice and taking notes was enough for one day. The vocabulary work on index cards was moved to Day Two. On Day Two, it was important to allow considerable time for children to read the poem to themselves before expecting them to move the words on the airliner interactively. The poem was at a perfect reading level and appropriate length. I noticed exceptional anticipation of this activity and focused individual involvement due to the nature of using the airliner interactively. The pictures on the sort activity were great which led to no confusion whatsoever. I noticed one low reader volunteering to move pictures on the sort activity. It was effective and well-planned to read the paragraphs, rubric, and become familiar with the brochure template and expectations in the computer lab before going there. All four days were valuable learning experiences.

    Student Work

    Please see the examples below of the three levels of student work.
    Distinguished1.jpg
    Distinguished2.jpg
    Distinguished3.jpg
    Proficient1.jpg
    Proficient2.jpg
    Proficient3.jpg
    Developing1.jpg
    Developing2.jpg
    Developing3.jpg

    Related Resource

    • Solid, Liquid, and Gas: What Is Matter? by Erica Smith (published by Rosen Publishing Group copyright 2002 ISBN 0-8239-8234-3)
    • "Properties of Matter, Part 2: Liquids, Solids and Gases" from www.unitedstreaming.com (17 min.)
    • Template for Poem and slide in words
    • Poem- "The Three States of Matter" by Penny Carter from Schooldays July/August 2000, page 45
    • http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php
    • 1992 Critical Thinking Press and Software
    • Exploring Changes In Our World Plus Grade 3 SSSP (State Syllabi Science Program- Oneida County BOCES Curriculum Development Services)
    • www.biguniverse.com
  • States of Matter Poem.notebook
  • Vocabulary

    • matter -anything that takes up space and has weight
    • molecule -the smallest particle of matter
    • solid -a definite shape that has weight
    • liquid -it takes the shape of the container and has weight
    • gas - most cannot be seen, takes up space, and has weight


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