Matter and Materials introduces students in Grades 1–3 to the foundational concepts of matter through hands‑on, inquiry‑based activities. Students explore objects, materials, and their properties while learning to classify, sort, observe, and record information. The resource emphasizes natural vs. man‑made materials, the physical properties of common substances, and the relationship between material choice and function. Activities such as “Materials Are Everywhere,” “Shoe Scramble,” and “Put It Together” help students connect science to everyday objects in their environment.

As students progress, they investigate solids, liquids, and gases, changes in matter, and early particle theory. The resource strongly supports scientific thinking by guiding students through prediction, experimentation, observation, and conclusion. With teacher notes, safety guidance, rubrics, and assessment tools, Matter and Materials provides a complete, developmentally appropriate introduction to matter aligned with Canadian provincial standards, Common Core literacy skills, and NGSS physical science expectations.

Games like "Simon Says" bring the realm of atoms and particles to life, as well as demonstrating solids, liquids, and gases. Your classroom will buzz with curiosity as students learn to explain the magic of ice sculptures, gas-powered rockets, and invention.

This resource is arranged in the following sections, with each section building on the last: Objects Have Parts; Materials and Properties; Materials and Function; Solids, Liquids, and Gases; and Working with Matter. 

Each section contains visual, kinesthetic, and auditory activities. Each section ends with an activity that may easily be used to assess learning of the material. 

A vocabulary exercise is also included to ensure that terminology becomes familiar and understood. Students are encouraged to keep a glossary of terms that they do not understand or find particularly interesting. 

The teacher notes are designed to provide you guidance with the materials needed, as well as provide some insight on what results to expect when the experiments are conducted. 

Introduction Includes:

• At A Glance TM - List of Skills and Learning Expectations
• Teacher Rubric
• Student Rubric
• Introduction
• Materials List 

Lesson Topics: 

Objects Have Parts

In this section, students are introduced to the idea that complex objects have parts, and that understanding these parts helps us understand the object. In later sections, this concept will be useful for understanding matter and materials in general.

• Teacher Notes
  • Student Activities
  • Put It Together
  • Looking for Parts
• Answer Key

Materials

• Teacher Notes
• Student Activities
  • Materials Are Everywhere: Students are introduced to materials and relate those materials to the objects around them. They learn to distinguish between an object and the material it is made from.
  • What Materials Are Used Most?: Students are introduced to materials and relate those materials to the objects around them. They learn to distinguish between an object and the material it is made from.
  • Shoe Scramble: The main purpose of this activity is to teach students that labeling and sorting objects can be done in different ways.
  • Man-Made or Natural?
  • Man-Made and Natural Tic Tac Toe Cards
• Answer Key

Properties of Matter and Materials

In this section, students will explore the properties of various materials and objects. The emphasis will be on using their senses to do so. 

• Teacher Notes
• Student Activities
  • Paper is Amazing
  • Be a Materials Detective: The purpose of the activity is to practice observing and describing.
  • What Would You Like to Know?: Students will practice the scientific method of developing and answering a question in the context of observing the properties of materials.
  • Material Properties Worksheet
  • Use Your Senses: This activity can be done individually, in small groups or as a whole class sitting in a circle with the teacher holding the bag and the student is asked to pull an object out of the bag, which is then passed around.
  • The Right Material for the Job
  • Design a Box: Students apply their knowledge of materials by building a box.
  • Can You Bend It?
  • What Do You Know About Materials?
• Answer Key 

Solids, Liquids, and Gases

In this section, students will first learn to recognize the states of matter based on properties they can observe. 

Teacher Notes

• Student Activities
  • Solids:
    • Solids hold their shape regardless of the container they are in (they are rigid) and can be hard. For example, a stone does not easily change shape. Different solids also have various properties, such as brittleness and tensile strength.
      • What Is a Solid?
      • What Are Solids?
      • All Kinds of Solids 

• Liquids:
  • Liquids have no shape of their own and take on the shape of the container they occupy. Some properties of liquids include viscosity, a measure of their ‘thickness’, which is a physical property related to how the molecules stick together. Molasses has a high viscosity, water a low viscosity.
    • What Is a Liquid?
    • What Are Liquids?
    • Liquid Language
    • Comparing Liquids 

• Gases:
  • Like liquids, gases have no shape of their own. The difference between liquids and gases is that when confined, gases expand to fill the container, whichever size it is. Gases can also be compressed. A lot of gases are colorless, but not all. Chlorine gas, for example, is yellowish green. Gases do have mass, as per the definition of matter. You need a sensitive balance, but you can weigh air.
    • What Is a Gas?
    • What Are Gases?
    • Amazing Gases 

• Solids, Liquids, and Gases
  • What’s At Home?
  • Make A Magazine
  • Molecules Can Move!
  • Let’s Pretend 

Working with Matter

• Teacher Notes
• Student Activities
  • The 13 student experiments and activities teach students that matter can change from one state to another when it is heated up or cooled down. Sometimes, in addition to mixing or not mixing, when two kinds of matter are combined, they form new ingredients. This is called a chemical reaction. Some experiments are suitable for a demonstration by the teacher or to be done in supervised groups.
    • What’s a Mixture?
    • Exploring Liquids
    • Goop!
    • Water Detectives
    • Ice Sculpture
    • Crayon Soup
    • Make It Rain
    • Heat Makes Molecules Move Faster
    • Let’s Make Candy
    • Can We Change It Back?
    • Make a Gas-Powered Rocket
    • Changing Matter Crossword Puzzle
    • Permanent Change or Not? 

• Answer Key 

Matter Quiz and Answer Key 

Standards Alignment Overview

Core competencies covered across Grades 1–3:

• Identifying materials and their properties
• Classifying objects and materials
• Understanding states of matter (solid, liquid, gas)
• Exploring changes in matter (melting, freezing, dissolving)
• Distinguishing natural vs. man‑made materials
• Using inquiry skills: predicting, observing, recording, concluding
• Applying early particle theory concepts
• Relating science to everyday objects and environments

U.S. Standards Met

Common Core (ELA & Math Connections)

Although Common Core does not include science content standards, this resource supports CCSS skills through:

• Reading Informational Text (RI.1–3) – following procedures, identifying key details
• Writing (W.1–3) – recording observations, writing conclusions
• Speaking & Listening (SL.1–3) – group discussions, reporting results
• Math (MD.1–3) – sorting, classifying, counting, simple data tables

NGSS Next Generation Science Standards

Grade 1

• 1-PS4-1 (observations using senses)
• 1-PS4-2 (materials and properties)
• 1-PS4-3 (design solutions using materials)
• Science & Engineering Practices: predicting, observing, recording

Grade 2

• 2-PS1-1 (properties of materials)
• 2-PS1-2 (classifying materials)
• 2-PS1-3 (testing materials for uses)
• 2-PS1-4 (changing matter)

Grade 3

• 3-PS2 & 3-PS1 (particle motion foundations)
• 3-5 ETS1 (design process, testing materials)

Canadian Provincial & Territorial Standards Met

Ontario – Grades 1–3 Science & Technology

• Understanding Matter & Energy (Overall Expectations)
• Grade 1: 1.1–1.4 (properties of materials), 2.1–2.5 (investigations), 3.1–3.3 (materials in everyday objects)
• Grade 2: 1.1–1.3 (properties), 2.1–2.4 (changes in matter), 3.1–3.3 (natural vs. man‑made)
• Grade 3: 1.1–1.3 (states of matter), 2.1–2.4 (changes), 3.1–3.2 (particle theory foundations)

British Columbia – Grades 1–3 Science

• Grade 1: Properties of objects and materials; First Peoples perspectives
• Grade 2: Solids and liquids; materials used for specific purposes
• Grade 3: Thermal energy and matter; changes in states

Alberta – Grades 1–3 Science

• Grade 1: Needs of plants/animals; objects & materials
• Grade 2: Exploring liquids; changes in materials
• Grade 3: Rocks/minerals; building materials; scientific inquiry

Saskatchewan – Grades 1–3 Science

• Grade 1: Characteristics of objects/materials
• Grade 2: States of matter; changes
• Grade 3: Forces, materials, and structures

Manitoba – Grades 1–3 Science

• Grade 1: Properties of materials
• Grade 2: Solids/liquids; changes
• Grade 3: Materials and structures; particle basics

Quebec – Science & Technology Cycle 1

• Properties of materials
• Transformation of matter
• Scientific inquiry processes

Nova Scotia – Grades P–3 Science

• Physical properties of materials
• States of matter
• Scientific investigation skills

New Brunswick – Grades K–3 Science

• Materials and their uses
• States of matter
• Inquiry and problem‑solving

Prince Edward Island – Grades 1–3 Science

• Properties of materials
• States of matter
• Scientific literacy and inquiry

Newfoundland & Labrador – Grades 1–3 Science

• Materials and their properties
• States of matter
• Scientific method and observation

Yukon – Follows BC Curriculum

Northwest Territories and Nunavut – Follows Alberta Curriculum

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