Matter Words Visual Guide Matter Words Visual Guide
Science Reference Tool • Picture Vocabulary & Sentence Frames
ELL / Multilingual Support Name:
1. The Three States of Matter
Look at particles and shapes
Solid /ˈsɒl.ɪd/
Holds its own shape
Particles are packed close together and vibrate in place.
Particles tight
🧊 ✏️
Examples: Ice cube, pencil, rock, desk
Liquid /ˈlɪk.wɪd/
Takes shape of container
Particles touch but slide past each other smoothly.
Particles slide
💧 🥛
Examples: Water, milk, juice, rain
Gas /ɡæs/
Spreads to fill any space
Particles are far apart and move super fast in all directions.
Particles spread
💨 🎈
Examples: Air, steam, helium, oxygen
2. Essential Science Vocabulary
Matter (materia)
Anything that takes up space and has mass (weight).
Particle (partícula)
A tiny piece of matter that makes up everything.
Melt (derretir)
When heat turns a solid into a liquid (ice to water).
Freeze (congelar)
When cold turns a liquid into a solid (water to ice).
Evaporate (evaporar)
When heat turns a liquid into a gas (water to vapor).
Volume (volumen)
The amount of space an object or substance takes up.
3. Speaking & Writing Sentence Frames
Use these to answer questions
Describe:
"A [ rock / pencil ] is a solid because it has its own fixed shape."
Compare:
"Unlike a solid, a [ liquid / gas ] takes the shape of its container."
Particles:
"In a gas, particles are [ far apart ] and move [ very quickly ]."
Change:
"When we add heat to [ ice ], it [ melts ] into liquid water."
Keep this page next to you during your science investigations!
Page 1 of 1
Matter Detective Worksheet Matter Detective Worksheet
Investigate Solids, Liquids, and Gases • ELL Guided Practice
Name:
Date: Class:
Detective Word Bank (Use these science words in your answers)
solid liquid gas particles shape volume container tightly packed slide past spread out
A Part 1: Particle Patterns
Look at the particle diagram. Write Solid, Liquid, or Gas on the line.
Tightly packed, vibrating
Close together, sliding
Far apart, moving fast
B Part 2: Mystery Matter Sort
Sort the items from the clue box into the 3 columns below.
Clue Items to Sort:
• Wooden desk 🪵
• Apple juice 🧃
• Helium balloon 🎈
• Metal coin 🪙
• Water from tap 🚰
• Wind / air 💨
• Ice cube 🧊
• Cold milk 🥛
• Steam from tea ☕
Solids (3 items)
Liquids (3 items)
Gases (3 items)
Turn page over for Part 3 and Part 4 ➡️ Page 1 of 2
Matter Detective Worksheet • Page 2
Name:
C Part 3: Sentence Frame Sleuth
Fill in the blanks using words from the Word Bank.
1. An ice cube is a because it keeps its own fixed .
2. When you pour water from a pitcher into a cup, the takes the shape of the .
3. Air is a . Its particles are and move in every direction.
4. In a solid, particles are together and vibrate in place.
D Part 4: What Happens When Temperature Changes?
Circle the correct word to finish the science rule.
☀️🧊 Scenario 1: Adding Heat
When you place an ice cube in the warm sun, it gains heat.
The ice will [ melt / freeze ] and turn from a [ solid / gas ] into a liquid.
❄️💧 Scenario 2: Removing Heat
When you put a tray of water into a cold freezer, it loses heat.
The water will [ evaporate / freeze ] and turn into a [ solid / liquid ].
E Part 5: Detective Case Report (Your Turn to Write)
Pick ONE object in your classroom and write 2-3 sentences about it.
Object chosen:
State: [ ] Solid [ ] Liquid [ ] Gas
Sentence stems to help you write your report:
"My object is a ______ because ______." • "Its particles are ______." • "If I put it in a bowl, it ______."
Great work, Detective! Turn in your completed report to your teacher.
Page 2 of 2
Matter Magic Slides Science Explorers • ELL Mini-Lesson
Unit: States of Matter
Matter All Around Us:
Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Everything in our universe is made of matter. Let’s explore how particles move and create the world we touch, drink, and breathe!
🧊
Solid
Keeps shape
💧
Liquid
Flows & pours
💨
Gas
Fills space
Language Goal: Describe matter using complete sentence frames Slide 1 of 6
What is Matter?
Key Concept
Matter is anything that:
Takes up space (has volume)
Has mass (has weight)
Zoom In: What is inside?
All matter is made of tiny building blocks called particles !
🍎 🥛 🎈
Everything Around You
Your pencil, your water bottle, and the air you breathe are all matter in different states!
Question: Is sound matter? No, sound is energy!
Vocabulary: Matter • Mass • Volume • Particles Slide 2 of 6
🧊
Solids: Definite Shape
State 1: Solid
Key Properties:
• Keeps its own shape anywhere you move it.
• Has a fixed volume (takes the same amount of space).
• Does not flow easily.
Sentence Frame (Say it together!):
"A desk is a solid because it keeps its own shape."
Particle Model
Tightly Packed
Particles vibrate in place, locked together.
Examples: Books, Rocks, Ice, Computers, Shoes Slide 3 of 6
💧
Liquids: Shape Shifters
State 2: Liquid
Key Properties:
• Takes the shape of whatever container it fills.
• Has a fixed volume (amount stays same).
• Can flow, drip, pour, and splash!
Sentence Frame (Say it together!):
"When poured into a cup, milk takes the shape of its container."
Particle Model
Slide Past Each Other
Particles touch, but they roll and flow freely.
Examples: Water, Orange Juice, Rain, Shampoo, Honey Slide 4 of 6
Matter Check Exit Ticket Matter Check Exit Ticket
Quick Check: Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Name: Date:
1. Match each particle picture to the correct state of matter (draw a line):
• Picture A
• Picture B
• Picture C
Gas
Solid
Liquid
2. What state of matter is the orange juice inside a glass? (Circle one):
[ A ] Solid
[ B ] Liquid
[ C ] Gas
3. Complete the sentence frame using your science vocabulary:
"A wooden pencil is a because it keeps its own ."
How confident do you feel about states of matter?
😃 Easy 🤔 Okay ❓ Need help
Cut Here (2 tickets per page)
Matter Check Exit Ticket
Quick Check: Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Name: Date:
1. Match each particle picture to the correct state of matter (draw a line):
• Picture A
• Picture B
• Picture C
Gas
Solid
Liquid
2. What state of matter is the orange juice inside a glass? (Circle one):
[ A ] Solid
[ B ] Liquid
[ C ] Gas
3. Complete the sentence frame using your science vocabulary:
"A wooden pencil is a because it keeps its own ."
How confident do you feel about states of matter?
😃 Easy 🤔 Okay ❓ Need help
Matter Mastery Teacher Guide Matter Mastery Teacher Guide
Complete Answer Keys & ELL Instructional Scaffolding Strategies
TEACHER RESOURCE
States of Matter Unit • Grade 3-6 ELL
Worksheet & Exit Ticket Solutions
Part 1: Particle Patterns
• Box 1: Solid (tightly packed)Liquid (sliding, touching)Gas (far apart, moving fast)
Part 2: Mystery Matter Sort
• Solids: Wooden desk, Metal coin, Ice cubeLiquids: Apple juice, Water from tap, Cold milkGases: Helium balloon, Wind / air, Steam from tea
Part 3: Sentence Frame Sleuth
1. solid / shape liquid / container gas / spread out (or far apart)tightly packed
Part 4: Temperature Changes
• Scenario 1: melt , from a solid freeze , into a solid
Exit Ticket Quick Answers
Q1: Picture A = Solid, B = Liquid, C = Gas
ELL Scaffolding & Differentiation (WIDA 1-4)
Total Physical Response (TPR)
Have students physically enact particle states:
• Solid: Clench fists tightly against chest, gently shiver in place.
• Liquid: Hold hands palms touching, slide them smoothly past each other.
• Gas: Open hands wide, bounce around lightly with space between.
Tiered Questioning
Levels 1-2 (Pointing/Phrases): Levels 3-4 (Sentence Stems): "When heat is added, it..."
Common ELL Misconceptions
"Air is nothing / has no weight": Demo using an inflated balloon vs an uninflated balloon on a balance scale."Sand is a liquid because it pours": Explain each individual grain is a solid with its own fixed shape!
