Matter Lab Lesson Plan Teacher Facilitation Guide
Matter Lab Masters
TEKS 4.5A Physical Properties of Matter
Grade 4 Science
Duration: 60 Minutes
Target Skills Measure, Classify, Compare
Key Properties Mass, Volume, Density, Magnetism
Lab Setup Level Medium (Hands-On Stations)
TEKS Aligned Standards & Objectives
TEKS 4.5(A): Measure, compare, and classify physical properties of matter, including mass, volume, states (solid, liquid, gas), magnetism, and the ability to sink or float.
Learning Objective: Students will measure and compare the mass, volume, magnetism, and relative density of various solid objects to classify them into groups based on their observable and measured physical properties.
Station Materials (Per Group)
Triple beam balance or digital scale
Graduated cylinders (100mL) & water
Magnets & clear container of water
Test objects: iron nail, wooden block, metal washer, plastic toy block, large marble
Common Misconceptions
Mass vs Size: Thinking larger objects always have more mass than smaller ones.Density: Believing all heavy things sink and all light things float, regardless of volume.
Instructional Pacing & Steps
1. ENGAGE (10 Minutes) Slide 1-4
Present the mystery box to the class containing a bowling ball and a inflated beach ball. Ask: "Which one is larger? Which one has more matter packed inside?" Introduce the scientific terms mass and volume . Guide students to recognize that size does not always dictate mass.
2. EXPLORE (25 Minutes) Slide 5-7
Divide students into collaborative lab groups of 4. Instruct groups to rotate through four focused testing stations using the test objects. Students record predictions and actual data on their Matter Lab Journal :
Station 1 (Mass): Measure solid mass in grams using triple beam balance.Station 2 (Displacement): Measure liquid volume displacement in mL.Station 3 (Magnetism): Classify objects as magnetic or non-magnetic.Station 4 (Density): Test relative density in water (sink or float).
Matter Lab Masters Lesson Plan Page 1 of 2
Instructional Pacing & Steps (Continued)
3. EXPLAIN (10 Minutes) Slide 8-10
Gather the class back to debrief findings. Guide students in connecting their lab observations to official scientific principles:
Discuss how water displacement works: standard volume = final volume minus initial volume.
Define relative density in water. Objects sink if they are more dense than water, and float if they are less dense.
Connect magnetic materials specifically to iron/cobalt/nickel content.
4. ELABORATE (10 Minutes) Slide 11-12
Challenge students with a real-world engineering scenario: "A recycling center has a mixed container of iron nails, plastic bottles, and wooden chunks. How could physical properties be used to separate them efficiently without touching them?" Students propose plans utilizing magnetism (for iron) and water baths (for floating wood/plastic).
5. EVALUATE (5 Minutes) Assessment Material
Distribute the 4th Grade physical properties exit ticket. Have students work individually to demonstrate their ability to read a graduated cylinder, identify relative density, and determine the mass using scale values. Use this to assess understanding of physical properties classification.
Classroom Differentiation Support
Scaffolding (Struggling Learners)
Provide visual anchor charts depicting step-by-step reading of a scale and graduated cylinder. For displacement, pre-fill initial liquid levels to 50mL to make subtraction calculations simple. Match students with a peer buddy during hands-on lab rotations.
Extension (Advanced Learners)
Challenge students to calculate the actual density mathematically (Density = Mass ÷ Volume) using their measurements. Have them test whether dissolving salt into the water changes the floating behavior of objects that initially sank.
Lab Setup & Safety Protocols
Immediately wipe down any spilled water to prevent slippery floor surfaces.
Keep water station clearly isolated from electronic components/digital scales.
Gently submerge heavy items into graduated cylinders to prevent cracking glass.
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Matter Lab Slides Science Lab Mission
Matter Lab Masters
Investigating, measuring, and classifying physical properties of matter.
TEKS 4.5A 4th Grade Science Expedition
Slide 1 of 8
What is Matter?
Core Concept
The Definition
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up physical space.
Everything you can see, touch, or feel is made of matter. Even the invisible air around you!
"If it is stuff, it is matter!"
Two Core Elements:
Mass
The amount of matter packed inside an object.
Volume
The physical space that the object occupies.
Matter Lab Masters Slide 2 of 8
How to Measure Mass
Station 1
Measuring Tool
We use a Triple Beam Balance or Digital Scale to measure the mass of solid objects.
Scientific Unit
In science class, solid mass is recorded using grams (g) .
Science Lab Tip!
Always check that your digital scale reads 0 grams before placing your solid object.
An object's mass stays the same, even if we crush it or bring it into outer space!
Mass and weight are different!
Matter Lab Masters Slide 3 of 8
Measuring Volume & Displacement
Station 2
Water Displacement
For irregular solid shapes, we find volume by measuring how much water is displaced (pushed up) when the object is submerged.
The Calculation
Volume = Final Level − Initial Level
Reading the Meniscus
Liquid curves in a cylinder. Always read at eye level from the bottom of the curve (the meniscus).
Units: Milliliters (mL)
Matter Lab Masters Slide 4 of 8
Relative Density
Station 3
Sinking
More Dense
If an object is more dense than water, it will sink to the bottom.
Examples: Nails, washers, marbles
Floating
Less Dense
If an object is less dense than water, it will float on the surface.
Examples: Wood block, cork, straws
Matter Lab Masters Slide 5 of 8
Magnetism & Matter
Matter Lab Worksheet Matter Lab Journal
Physical Properties Lab
TEKS 4.5A: Measure, Compare & Classify
Grade 4 Science
Student Name
Date
Lab Partners
Mission Directions: Complete your tests at each station. Fill in the data table below carefully. Remember to write units (g for grams, mL for milliliters) for all measurements.
Collected Physical Properties Data Table
Test Object Mass (g) Initial Volume Final Volume Object Volume Density Magnet 1. Iron Nail 50 mL ____ mL Sink / Float Yes / No 2. Wooden Block 50 mL ____ mL Sink / Float Yes / No 3. Steel Washer 50 mL ____ mL Sink / Float Yes / No 4. Plastic Block 50 mL ____ mL Sink / Float Yes / No 5. Glass Marble 50 mL ____ mL Sink / Float Yes / No
Lab Synthesis & Analysis
Question 1: Identify all the test objects from your table that are magnetic and also sink in water. What do these objects have in common?
Question 2: A small dry wooden twig floats, but a massive heavy oak log also floats in water. Explain why relative density does not depend on the object's mass alone.
Question 3: How is measuring volume using water displacement (Station 2) different from simply measuring with a standard ruler? Why do we use water displacement for objects like marbles?
TEKS 4.5A Physical Properties Activity Page 1 of 1
Matter Lab Exit Ticket Laboratory Exit Ticket
Matter Lab Exit Ticket
TEKS 4.5A Physical Properties Review
5 Points Total
Student Name
Date
1 Measuring Mass on a Triple Beam Balance (1 Point)
A student measures the mass of a large steel nut. The sliders on the triple beam balance point to the values below:
Middle Beam (Hundreds) 300 g
Back Beam (Tens) 40 g
Front Beam (Ones) 7.6 g
What is the total mass of the steel nut? grams (g)
2 Volume via Water Displacement (2 Points)
To find the volume of a solid rubber ball, a scientist pours 60 mL of water into a graduated cylinder. After gently dropping the rubber ball in, the water level rises to 74 mL .
Show your subtraction work below:
Object Volume: ___________ mL
3 Comparing & Classifying Physical Properties (2 Points)
An unknown solid cube is placed into a bowl of pure tap water. The cube floats on the water's surface, and magnets do not stick to it. Which classification best fits the unknown solid cube?
A The cube is magnetic and has more density than water.
B The cube is magnetic and has less density than water.
C The cube is non-magnetic and has more density than water.
D The cube is non-magnetic and has less density than water.
TEKS 4.5A Physical Properties Assessment Page 1 of 1
