Lesson Plan: STEM Project - States of Matter

Subject:  Science

Grade: 2

Lesson Objective: To review states of matter and the scientific method

Next Gen Science Standard:  2-PS1-2. Analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for an intended purpose

Materials Needed:

• Clay, boxes, and other materials with which to make a model

Starter:

Say:

• What are the different states of matter?  (Allow the students to answer- students should explain that the states of matter are solid, liquid and gas)

Main:

NOTE:  This lesson can be split into several different lessons

Say:

• The three different states of matter are solid, liquid and gas.
• Atoms in gases move very quickly and are very far apart.  Atoms in liquids are closer together, but are still able to move.  Atoms in solids are so close together that they cannot move.
• States of matter can change because of the temperature.  If the temperature goes up or down, something can change from a liquid to a solid or a liquid to a gas.
• Today we are also going to talk about the scientific method.  Remember, the scientific method is all of the steps that are used when asking questions and learning more about something.
• We are going to review those steps and talk about the science words (they are in bold below) that we use when doing an experiment.
• Step 1 is to find something that you are interested in learning more about.  Then, you ask a question.
• Step 2 is to figure out what you think the answer is.  This is called making a hypothesis (hy-poth-e-sis).
• Step 3 is to test your hypothesis with an experiment.  This means that you are going to design or plan an experiment that will test what you think will happen.
• Step 4 is to analyze (an-a-lyze) the results of the experiment.  Analyze means to look at the results and figure out what they mean.
• Step 5 is to draw a conclusion (con-clu-sion).  This means to decide what the results of the experiment are.
• Step 6 is to communicate (co-mmun-i-cate) the results.  This means to tell other people what you learned.
• We are going to be using everything you know about the different states of matter and the scientific method over the next few classes.
• You are going to be making a model showing the different states of matter and you will then be using scientific language to describe your model.
• A model is a three-dimensional figure or object that shows something.  Models can be made from clay, boxes, or any other materials.
• First, you are going to be brainstorming different ideas that you have for models of the different states of matter.
• Think about what you know about how atoms are in each of the different states of matter and how you can show that in a model.
• Take out your notebooks.  You can draw pictures of the ideas that you have and then write words describing what you would use.
• Now, you are going to have time to build your model. 
• Last, you are going to use scientific language to describe your models.
• Remember to use words like atoms, solid, liquid and gas.  You should also you as many describing words as you can.
• You should write at least 3 sentences describing your model.

Feedback:

Say:

• Who would like to share the description you wrote about your model?  Please share both your model and what you wrote.

Written by Kimberly Greacen, Education World® Contributing Writer

Kimberly is an educator with extensive experience in curriculum writing and developing instructional materials to align with Common Core State Standards and Bloom's Taxonomy.

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