Observing Matter Lesson Module

In the Observing Matter module, students begin to learn the words to describe matter correctly and accurately, learning important skills for communicating scientific information.

Core Concept

Matter has properties that are described using qualitative and quantitative observations.

Essential Vocabulary

Properties, senses, qualitative, quantitative, observe, describe, measure, tools

Lesson Plan

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Interactive Demos

Explore

The Explore session promotes interest in and curiosity about quantitative and qualitative observations. In this session, students identify words to precisely describe an object. Students also participate in a teacher-led discussion that encourages them to wonder about the different ways to observe and describe matter. To complete the session, students work collaboratively offline and further explore how to make qualitative observations.

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Take a Note

This Elaborate session allows students to apply what they have learned to new situations. In this session, students participate in a selection of activities that focus on science process skills and content understanding. To complete the session, students work independently or with peers to complete an offline activity that reinforces science process skills.

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Professional Development

Science4Us provides the essentials that teachers need to confidently and effectively lead a classroom in any science lesson. This demo shows:

One section of the "Teacher Explain"
One of the 40 teacher support documents

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Additional Information

Students observe qualitatively (using their senses) and quantitatively (using tools to measure numerical values). Games and instructional videos help students learn and practice these skills using a combination of photographs and animated hosts. Skills and vocabulary learned in the Observing Matter module will provide a strong framework for later science learning.

Printable teacher guides are available as part of professional development to help you add to the online material. These teacher guides include hands-on activities, discussion questions and more.

Professional development also features Teacher Lessons that provide additional information such as best practices, misconceptions, vocabulary connections and content extensions specific to each lesson. For example, when learning about Observing Matter, a common misconception among students is that opinions are facts, thus making it difficult for them to separate facts from opinions.

Correlations to K-2 Standards Free K-2 Science Resources Sign up for free!