- Sarah Gough
- Monday, October 26, 2020
Why does matter matter?
Because everything in our world is made up of matter! Matter is anything that has weight and takes up space. The three main types of matter -- solids, liquids, and gases -- have different properties, and exploring those properties is what this standard is all about.
How do I know if my student has met the second grade science standard?
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They understand the properties of solids and liquids, and can make observations and measurements to classify matter as a solid or a liquid
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They can demonstrate how solids and liquids can be mixed and also separated
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They can conduct investigations to demonstrate the effects of heating and cooling on solids and liquids, and use evidence from those investigations to show that when matter reacts to changes in temperature, some changes are reversible and some are not
Multimedia
Watch the following videos for an introduction to the different types of matter and their properties, then try some of the hands-on activities below.
Activities
- Investigate how long it takes for water to change from a liquid to a gas using the heat of the sun.
- Make some popsicles for a yummy investigation into how liquids can change into solids by reacting to changes in temperature. You can keep it very simple by pouring fruit juice in a paper cup, or demonstrate all the different states of matter with this layered watermelon popsicle recipe.
- Light a candle and observe closely to spot all three states of matter.
- Get cooking! When a recipe says to reduce a sauce, what is actually happening? The watery liquid in the pan reacts to heat and some of it changes into a gas and evaporates, leaving the remaining liquid thicker and the flavor more concentrated. Yum!
- Distill water to see the interaction of water in its solid, liquid, and gas forms. Distilling the water purifies it, or removes contaminants -- from even seawater or rainwater. First you vaporize water (turn it from liquid to a gas), and then condense the vapor back into its liquid form. Most contaminants will not vaporize, so they will stay in the original water source and not be present in the final distilled water.
Do you want to explore more second grade SC Science Standards?
Books to Read:
The titles below will help you and your child explore and discuss properties of solid and liquid matter. Want us to pull books for you? Contact us at 803-799-9084 and request to have books sent to your nearest Richland Library location.