States of Matter Activities

Before using the solids liquids and gasses worksheet offered

below, try a very simple experiment to demonstrate states of
matter to your class!

Materials:
 3 plastic bags
 stone
 one glass of water
1. Put a stone in the first plastic bag and seal it. Ask your students
to squeeze and press the bag. What happens? Let them try to
bend the stone to change its shape. Ask them why they cannot
bend the stone.

2. Put water in the second plastic bag and then seal it. Tell
students to observe the water in the bag carefully. Ask a
representative to gently squeeze the bag of water. Does the shape
of water change?

3. Blow air into the third plastic bag and the seal it. Gently press
the plastic bag. Does the shape of the air change? Open the bag
to release the air. What happens?

These activities and the discussion that follows present a great

introduction to your lesson on the states of matter.

Classifying Matter
Explain to the students that all objects around us are made of
matter. Matter is anything that occupies space and has mass. One
way of classifying matter is by its states: solid, liquid and gas.
On the board, write the properties of each state. This will clearly
explain the lesson.
1. Solid

 It has mass
 It has a definite volume
 It has definite space
 It cannot be compressed
 The three states of matter!
2. Liquid

 It has mass
 It has a definite volume
 It has no fixed/definite shape
 It cannot be compressed
3. Gas
  It has mass
 It has no definite volume
 It has no definite shape

Response After Lesson: Sample

Worksheet
What are the similarities and differences of solid, liquid and gas?
Help your students understand the different states of matter.
Challenge their knowledge with this States of Matter worksheet:

I. Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. What is matter?

a. Matter is anything that flies.

b. Matter is anything that occupies space.

c. Matter is anything that has definite shape.

2. What are the basic building blocks of matter?

a. particles

b. atoms

c. compounds
3. What is the state of matter that has no fixed shape and no fixed
volume?

a. solid