Matter Masters Slides
Science Lab Unit 1
Grades 3-5
Matter Masters
Discovering the tiny, moving particles that build our entire world: Solids, Liquids, and Gases!
Let's explore physical science →
The Big Question
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What is Matter?
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. That means everything you can touch, see, or breathe!
🔬 All matter is made of tiny, invisible building blocks called particles!
Under the Microscope...
Particles are ALWAYS moving, even if you can't see them!
Unit 1: States of Matter Matter Masters
State #1
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SOLIDS
Locked & Loaded!
- • Shape: Keeps its own shape. Doesn't change!
- • Volume: Takes up a set amount of space.
- • Particles: Packed super close. They can only vibrate in place because they are locked together!
Solid Particles
Example: Ice cube, pencil, rock
Unit 1: States of Matter Matter Masters
State #2
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LIQUIDS
Go with the Flow!
- • Shape: Changes to match whatever container it is in!
- • Volume: Takes up a set amount of space.
- • Particles: Close together, but they can slide past each other. This lets liquids flow and pour!
Liquid Particles
Example: Water, juice, milk
Unit 1: States of Matter Matter Masters
State #3
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GASES
Speedy & Free!
- • Shape: No set shape! It spreads out to fill any shape it can.
- • Volume: No set volume! It will fill up the entire container.
- • Particles: Spaced far apart and zooming around super fast! They barely touch each other.
Gas Particles
→
←
↑
↓
Example: Air, steam, helium in balloons
Unit 1: States of Matter Matter Masters
State Changes
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Adding Heat = Faster Energy!
When we add heat, we are transferring thermal energy to the particles.
🫠
Melting
Solid → Liquid
Heat makes solid particles vibrate so fast that they break free from their locked positions and start sliding around!
💨
Evaporation
Liquid → Gas
With even more heat, liquid particles zoom so quickly that they fly completely apart, launching into the air!
Unit 1: States of Matter Matter Masters
State Changes
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Cooling Down = Slown Down!
When we cool things, we take energy away from the particles.
🌫️
Condensation
Gas → Liquid
As gas particles cool down, they lose energy, slow down, and clump back together into a liquid state.
❄️
Freezing
Liquid → Solid
When cooled even more, liquid particles slow to a crawl, locking into fixed, vibrating spots as a solid!
Unit 1: States of Matter Matter Masters
Mission Briefing
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Your Matter Masters Quest!
Now that you've discovered the hidden particle world, it's time to test your knowledge! Let's get to work:
Lab Worksheet
Draw the particles and map the heat changes!
Matter Mashup
Cut, match, and sort everyday items!
Ready to build? Let's Go! 🚀
Matter Masters Worksheet
Student Lab Sheet
Matter Masters
Name:
Date:
Quest Guide: Fill in the blanks as you learn, and draw the invisible particle world inside the magnifying glasses below!
1 State of Matter Basics
1. Matter is anything that has mass and takes up .
2. The tiny moving building blocks of all matter are called .
3. In a Solid, particles are packed super close and can only in place.
4. In a Liquid, particles are close but can past each other, allowing liquids to pour.
5. In a Gas, particles are spaced and move super fast in all directions.
2 Draw the Particles!
Draw 12-15 tiny circles in each glass to model how particles are arranged in each state.
Solid Model
Solid Pencil
Liquid Model
Liquid Water
Gas Model
Gas Helium
Matter Masters Lesson Bundle Page 1 of 2
Student Lab Sheet
Changing States
Matter Masters Part 2
3 Phase Change Pathways
Use the word bank to fill in the correct phase change terms in the diagram below.
❄️ Freezing 🔥 Melting 💨 Evaporation 🌫️ Condensation
🧊
SOLID
Add Heat →
← Remove Heat
💧
LIQUID
💧
LIQUID
Add Heat →
← Remove Heat
☁️
GAS
4 Think Like a Scientist!
1. Why does an ice cube melt when you hold it in your hand? Explain what happens to the energy and movement of the particles.
2. When liquid water boils on the stove, it turns into a gas called steam. What is the name of this state change?
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Matter Mashup Sorting Activity
Lab Activity
Matter Mashup
Name:
Activity Instructions:
1. Carefully cut out the cards on Page 2 along the dotted lines.
2. Sort them into the correct columns below based on their state of matter!
3. Check your answers with your teacher or lab partner before gluing them down.
Solids
Particle Card
Description Card
Real Example Card
Liquids
Particle Card
Description Card
Real Example Card
Gases
Particle Card
Description Card
Real Example Card
Matter Masters Lesson Bundle Page 1 of 2
Lab Activity Elements
Matter Mashup Cards
Cut carefully along the dashed lines! Try not to lose any particles.
Particle Card A
Particles tightly packed, vibrating in fixed spots.
Particle Card B
Particles close together, sliding past each other.
Particle Card C
Particles spaced far apart, moving fast in all directions.
Description Card A
Has a definite shape and a definite volume. Keeps its shape even when placed in a container.
Properties
Description Card B
Has a definite volume, but no definite shape. Changes shape to fit any container.
Properties
Description Card C
Has no definite volume and no definite shape. Spreads out to fill the entire space!
Properties
Example Card A
✏️ 🧱 🧊
Ice Cube, Pencil, and Rock
Everyday Items
Example Card B
💧 🥛 🍊
Water drop, Orange Juice, Milk
Everyday Items
Example Card C
☁️ 🎈 💨
Air inside Balloon, Steam, Wind
Everyday Items
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