Matter Science Anchor Charts
Science Anchor Chart 6TH GRADE SCIENCE
MATTER
Everything around us is made of matter!
What is Matter?
Matter is anything that has MASS (weight) and takes up SPACE (volume).
3 Common States of Matter
1. SOLID
Fixed Shape
Packed tight
Ice โข Rock โข Desk
2. LIQUID
Flows Free
Slides around
Water โข Juice โข Milk
3. GAS
Fills Space
Flies apart
Air โข Steam โข Helium
YES! Matter (Has Mass & Space)
๐ถ Dog ๐ Apple ๐ง Water ๐จ Air
NO! Not Matter (Energy / Ideas)
๐ก Light ๐ฅ Heat ๐ต Sound ๐ญ Thoughts
๐ง
MEMORY HOOK "Takes up room + has weight = IT IS MATTER!"
Science Anchor Chart 6TH GRADE SCIENCE
ATOM
The Basic Building Block of All Matter!
What is an Atom?
An ATOM is the tiniest complete piece of matter. All matter is built from atoms!
Labeled Atom Model Center = Nucleus
- - - - + 0 + 0
NUCLEUS (Center) Holds Protons (+) & Neutrons (0)
PROTON
Positive (+) Charge
Inside the Nucleus
0
NEUTRON
Neutral (No) Charge
Inside the Nucleus
-
ELECTRON
Negative (-) Charge
Zooms on the outside
๐งฑ
LEGO ANALOGY An atom is like 1 LEGO brick. Connect them to build the world!
Science Anchor Chart 6TH GRADE SCIENCE
ELEMENT
A Pure Substance Made of Only ONE Kind of Atom!
What is an Element?
An ELEMENT is pure matter made of ONLY ONE KIND of atom. It cannot be split simpler!
PURE ELEMENT MODEL
Au
Au
Au
Au
Au
Au
100% Gold Atoms (Au)
Every single atom is the same!
PERIODIC TABLE TILE
8 O
Oxygen 15.999
Found on Periodic Table!
Real Everyday Elements:
๐ฅ
Gold (Au)
Shiny metal
๐ซ
Oxygen (O)
Gas to breathe
๐ฉ
Iron (Fe)
Strong nails
โ๏ธ
Carbon (C)
Pencil lead
๐บ๏ธ
KEY FACT 118 elements build everything in the universe!
Science Anchor Chart 6TH GRADE SCIENCE
PROPERTY
A Trait or Feature Used to Describe Matter!
What is a Property?
A PROPERTY is a clue or trait that helps you identify and describe matter!
1. Physical Properties
Observed with 5 senses or measured without changing the substance!
๐๏ธ
Color & Shape Red, blue, round, square
โ
Texture & Hardness Smooth, rough, hard, soft
โ๏ธ
Mass & State Heavy/light, Solid/Liquid/Gas
๐งฒ
Magnetism & Density Magnetic? Sinks or floats?
2. Chemical Properties
How matter reacts to create a brand NEW substance!
๐ฅ
Flammability Can it catch fire? (Wood burns)
โ๏ธ
Reactivity (Rusting) Reacts with air? (Iron rusts)
๐งช
Chemical Reaction Bubbles, color change, smell
Creates Something Brand New!
๐
DETECTIVE QUESTION Ask: "What does it look, feel, and act like?"
Science Anchor Chart 6TH GRADE SCIENCE
STATES OF MATTER
Solid, Liquid, and Gas Changes with Heat!
What are States of Matter?
STATES OF MATTER are the physical forms matter can take depending on how much HEAT ENERGY it has!
SOLID
Packed Tightly
Vibrates in place
LIQUID
Close Together
Slides and flows
GAS
Far Apart
Zooms freely fast
Key Phase Changes (Adding or Removing Heat)
๐ฅ ADDING HEAT:
โข Melting: Solid โ Liquid (Ice melts)
โข Evaporation: Liquid โ Gas (Water boils)
โ๏ธ REMOVING HEAT (COOLING):
โข Freezing: Liquid โ Solid (Water freezes)
โข Condensation: Gas โ Liquid (Dew/steam)
โก
ENERGY RULE Add Heat = Move Faster! Cool Down = Slow Down!
Science Anchor Chart 6TH GRADE SCIENCE
SOLID
Definite Shape & Definite Volume!
What is a Solid?
A SOLID is matter that has a fixed shape and a fixed volume. Its particles are locked tight and vibrate in place!
PARTICLE VIEW
Packed Super Tight
Particles cannot slide past each other!
๐
FIXED SHAPE Does not change shape when moved!
๐
FIXED VOLUME Takes up the exact same amount of space!
๐ซ
HARD TO SQUEEZE Cannot be compressed easily!
Common Solid Examples:
๐ง
Ice Cube
Solid water
๐ช
Chair
Fixed shape
๐งฑ
Brick
Rigid & hard
๐
Apple
Solid fruit
๐งฑ
MEMORY HOOK "Solids stay in their own shape, no matter where they sit!"
Science Anchor Chart 6TH GRADE SCIENCE
LIQUID
Takes the Shape of Its Container!
What is a Liquid?
A LIQUID has a fixed volume, but NO fixed shape. Its particles roll and slide past each other!
SHAPE CHANGER TEST
100 mL
Tall Glass
โ
100 mL
Wide Bowl
Same Volume (100 mL)
Changes shape to match container!
๐
FLOWS & POURS Particles slide freely around!
๐
DEFINITE VOLUME Measured in milliliters (mL) or liters!
๐
NO FIXED SHAPE Spreads flat without container!
Common Liquid Examples:
๐ง
Water
Essential liquid
๐ฅ
Milk
Pours smooth
๐ฏ
Honey
Thick liquid
๐ง
Juice
Takes cup shape
๐ง
MEMORY HOOK "Liquids flow and take the shape of whatever holds them!"
Science Anchor Chart 6TH GRADE SCIENCE
GAS
No Fixed Shape & No Fixed Volume!
What is a Gas?
A GAS has NO fixed shape and NO fixed volume. Its particles fly everywhere fast and spread out!
ZOOMING PARTICLES
โ
โ
โ
โ
Lots of Empty Space
Particles fly apart in all directions!
๐
EXPANDS TO FILL SPACE Fills any room or container completely!
๐จ
CAN BE SQUEEZED Compresses easily into smaller tanks!
๐
FASTEST PARTICLES Highest energy of the 3 states!
Common Gas Examples:
๐จ
Air
All around us
๐
Helium
Makes balloons float
โจ๏ธ
Steam
Water vapor gas
๐ซ
Oxygen
Gas we inhale
๐จ
MEMORY HOOK "Gas zooms free and fills up every single corner!"