KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

PROFESSIONAL SEMESTER PROGRAM

Teacher Candidate: Erin Crawford and Lindsey Joseph Date: 6/2/18

Cooperating Teacher: Coop. Initials

Group Size: Allotted Time: 50 minutes Grade Level: 3rd Grade

Subject or Topic: Introduction to Matter and Molecules Section

STANDARD: (PA Common Core):

2.3.3. A 1:
 Differentiate between properties of objects such as size, shape, and weight and properties of
materials that make up the objects such as color, texture, and hardness.
 Differentiate between the three states of matter, classifying substance as a solid, liquid, or
gas.

I. Performance Objectives (Learning Outcomes)

A. The third grade students will be able to state the three types of matter by completing a 3-
2-1 chart.
B. The third grade students will be able to produce the different types of molecules that
coincide with each type of matter by drawing the different types of molecules found in each of the
three types of matter on the 3-2-1 chart.

II. Instructional Materials

 Smartboard/Computer
 Matter Video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAM5OXhXHew
 Whiteboard
 Little (single) whiteboards
 Whiteboard markers
 3-2-1 Chart
 Pencil
 Crayons/Markers (optional)

III. Subject Matter/ Content (prerequisite skills, key vocabulary, big idea, New Content)
A. Prerequisite Skills
a. The earth is made of different things
b. Understanding the idea of volume

B. Key Vocabulary
a. Matter- Anything that takes up space.
 b. Molecules- Tiny particles called atoms that join together, two of more atoms
chemically bonded together.
c. Solid- Matter that holds its own shape and always takes up the same amount
of space.
d. Liquid- Matter that flows freely and takes the shape of its container.
e. Gas- Matter that cannot be seen but is all around.
f. Observe- to use your senses to find out about something
g. Property- something about an object that you can observe with your
senses
h. States of Matter- the different forms of matter

C. Big Idea - Matter and their Molecules

D. New Content

a. Identify the three types of matter

i. Solid
ii. Liquid
iii. Gas
b. Define the three types of matter by their molecules
i. Solid - dense and hard
ii. Liquid - fluid
iii. Gas - scattered

IV. Implementation

A. Introduction –
1. Review with the students how the world is made up of different things and
how those different components are made up of different materials. Have
the students turn to a partner and discuss different things in the world that
they see around them often. Remind the students to be good scientists and
to think about how different things may feel different.
2. Also, remind the students of the idea of volume that they have already
learned in math class.
3. Tell the students that today they will be learning all about the three types of
matter and what makes them different from each other.

B. Development –
1. Introduce the students to the idea of matter. Set a purpose for watching the
video about matter. Tell students that all of the things they have listed are
made up of different types of matter. Watch the brain pop video about
matter. Explain to them what matter means and that there are three
different types of matter solids, liquids and gas. Tell the students that each
of these different types of matter are made up of different molecules. Define
the word molecules.
 2. Read pages 8-9 in the story The Simple Science of Matter, to further define
molecules.
3. Show the students a basic picture of what molecules could look like.
4. Tell the students to all stand up and stand in a group together. Tell them to
stand tightly together in one big blob. Explain to the students that each of
them represent a molecule. Tell them that items that are hard, or our solids,
are made up of molecules, like them, that are tightly packed together and all
touching. Our solid molecules are dense.
5. Tell the students to move around the room with a buddy! Tell them to keep
on moving! Tell the students that liquid molecules are not all touching all
the time but they can sometimes touch and are always moving. Tell
students that the liquid molecules move and slide over each other, just like
students may walk into or near each other. Liquid molecules are fluid, kind
of like water!
6. Tell the students to freeze where they are at. Ask the students to leave there
partner and walk all around the room alone. Ask the students to freeze
again. Tell them that gas molecules move all around and are scattered
throughout the space they are in.
7. Call out the different types of matter and have the students move to
represent the molecules.
8. Have the students return to their desks. Discuss how models help us learn
about science topics through structures or pictures. Show pictures of each
of the different matter molecules and ask the students to identify which
picture they believe is which type of matter using their small whiteboards
at their desk. Each student should write down their answer when a
molecule picture is shown and hold it up for the teacher to see.
9. Have students, in small groups, come up with a question about matter and
molecules they would like to ask. Provide the students with time to then ask
their questions to get answered.

C. Closure –
1. Review what has been learned about matter and their molecules and how
they are all different.
a. Review the three types of matter solids, liquids and gases.
b. Review their three types of matter
i. Solids - hard and dense
ii. Liquids- fluid
iii. Gas- scattered
2. Have students complete the 3-2-1 chart identifying the three types of
matter and drawing their corresponding molecules.

D. Accommodations / Differentiation -
1. For student with a delay in fine motor skills, provide a scribe for the 3-2-1
chart .
2. For student who is unable to complete written work in a large class setting,
excuse them to go to their assigned learning location to complete the 3-2-1
sheet in an alternate environment.
V. Assessment/Evaluation plan
1. Formative- Students 3-2-1 slip will be completed to demonstrate their ability to
identify the three types of matter. This will be recorded on a checklist with check or
minus.

2. Formative- Students 3-2-1 slip will be completed to demonstrate their ability to

produce the three types of molecules. This will be recorded on a checklist with
check or minus.

VI. Reflective Response (not doing for this class)

VII. Resources (APA Format)

Buckley, D., Miller, Z., Padilla, M. J., Thornton, K., & Wysession, M. E.,

(2016). Interactive science: teacher's edition and resources. Glenview, IL:

Pearson.

Foss science resources solids and liquids (3rd ed.). (2012). Berkeley, CA: Delta

Education. doi:978-1-60902-032-3

James, E. (2018). The simple science of matter. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.
 3-2-1 MATTER!
The three new types of matter I learned…
1.

2.

3.

Draw each matters molecules…

1. 2. 3.

Questions you may still have…

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