Rockaway Township Public Schools
Science Literacy Unit Plan
Physical Science:
Grade 3 – Matter and Water
Unit Title:
21st Century Theme:
Time Frame:
Matter and Water
nd
2 Quarter
9.1 - Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Communication and Media Fluency
Standard:
5.2 Physical Science: Physical science principles, including fundamental ideas about matter, energy, and motion, are powerful
conceptual tools for making sense of phenomena in physical, living, and Earth systems science.
Strands:
A. Properties of Matter: All objects and substances in the
natural world are composed of matter. Matter has two
fundamental properties: matter takes up space, and matter
has mass.
B. Changes in Matter: Substances can undergo physical or
chemical changes to form new substances. Each change
involves energy.
Cumulative Progress Indicator Number(s):
5.2.4.A.1 - Identify objects that are composed of a single
substance and those that are composed of more than one
substance using simple tools found in the classroom.
5.2.4.A.2 - Plan and carry out an investigation to distinguish
among solids, liquids, and gasses.
5.2.4.A.3 - Determine the weight and volume of common
objects using appropriate tools.
5.2.4.B.1 - Predict and explain what happens when a common
substance, such as shortening or candle wax, is heated to
melting and then cooled to a solid.
5.4.4.G.3 - Trace a path a drop of water might follow through
the water cycle
5.4.4.G.4- Model how the properties of water can change as it
moves through the water cycle.
5.2.4.A.2- Plan and carry out an investigation to distinguish
among solids, liquids, and gasses.
Rockaway Township Public Schools
Science Literacy Unit Plan
Physical Science:
Grade 3 – Matter and Water
Rockaway Township Goals:
Some objects are composed of a single substance; others are composed of more than one substance.
Each state of matter has unique properties (e.g., gases can be compressed, while solids and liquids cannot; the shape of a solid is
independent of its container; liquids and gases take the shape of their containers).
Objects and substances have properties, such as weight and volume that can be measured using appropriate tools.
Unknown substances can sometimes be identified by their properties.
Many substances can be changed from one state to another by heating or cooling.
The water cycle illustrates how energy can change states of matter. (Relate to “Weather”: the next unit in third grade.)
Essential Question
How do the properties of materials determine their use?
How does conservation of mass apply to the interaction of
materials in a closed system?
Unit Learning Targets:
The Students will be able to…
Compare the weights (masses) of equal volumes of substances,
organize the date, and share results with their classmates.
Identify the state of matter of various materials based on their
physical properties.
Identify state of matter as a physical property.
Enduring Understandings
The structures of materials determine their use.
When materials interact within a closed system, the total
mass of the system remains the same.
Suggested Activities:
Including Differentiated Strategies (DI)
Gummy bear Lab
Conduct an activity in which students sort materials based on
their physical properties, such as “Sorting Shells” E5 in text p. 33
Investigate Activity book.
Conduct an activity in which students sort objects based on their
state of matter
Such as Kidpix activity.
Make Oobleck ( see recipe) or view video of it being made
Rockaway Township Public Schools
Science Literacy Unit Plan
Physical Science:
Grade 3 – Matter and Water
Compare the relative densities of different liquids, first by
layering them on top of each other, and then by weighing equal
amounts of the liquids.
(Comparing the Densities of Liquids, Solids and Gasses)
Get a feel for the relative densities of different solids by
dropping small items into different liquids and observing which
ones float and which ones sink.
Explore the density of air versus the density of water by using
air bubbles to lift relatively dense objects (raisins) to the surface
of a cup of soda water.
Design an investigation where a variety of materials are heated
or cooled. Predict whether a change in state of matter will
occur and why. Communicate and justify explanations with
reasonable and logical arguments.
Observe and explore properties of water in liquid, solid, and
gaseous states.
Investigate factors that influence evaporation and condensation
of water.
Conduct experiments on how increasing or decreasing
temperature cause water to change form (solid, liquid,
gas), and apply the results to water cycles.
Model how the properties of water can change as it moves
through the water cycle.
Design an investigation where a variety of liquids are solidified.
Analyze results. Communicate and justify explanations with
reasonable and logical arguments.
http://youtu.be/1TR2bPb2_Q0
(*There are various YouTube videos demonstrating running on
Oobleck, rolling bowling balls over it, etc.)
Conduct an activity in which students observe a physical change
in matter, such as E13 in text, p. 34 Investigate Activity book
Conduct an activity in which students observe a chemical change,
such as”Rusty Change” E21 in text, p.35
*Alternate experiment: “Using Chemical Change to identify an
Unknown”, “Exploring Baking Soda”, “Matter on the Move”
Houghton Mifflin Text Unit E:
Chapter 11 (small reader “Matter Changes”)
Chapter 12 (small reader “Mixtures”)
Study guide A pgs. 64-75
Study guide B pgs. 33-38
“Shake It Up” HM text Unit E, E51
“Comparing the Density of Liquids, Solids, and Gases”
www.teachersdomain.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.matter.lp_de
nsity/
Lesson plan, experiments, and 4 video clips
Conduct experiments demonstrated and/or show video
Sources of Water- See HM mini Science books.
“Changing the state of matter using heating and cooling” lesson
plan
Rockaway Township Public Schools
Science Literacy Unit Plan
Physical Science:
Grade 3 – Matter and Water
Resource Materials:
Houghton Mifflin Text E
Houghton Mifflin Interactive Lab Videos CD Rom
Houghton Mifflin Discover Simulation CD Rom
Brainpop video clips
Oobleck Recipe
Enchanted Learning; Identifying states of matter activity wheel
Lesson plan: “Changing the state of matter using heating and
cooling”
Crossword review puzzles
Gummy Bear Lab
Kidpix activities
Delta Reader: Water Cycle
FOSS – Water Book
Assessments:
Unit Test from Unit E Resource book and/or Performance
Assessment
*Note : A unit review is available which can be used as a study guide
Separate lesson reviews are included also.
Quizzes and tests
District Assessment to be developed in year 2 of the 5 year
Technology Integration:
Interactive websites:
http://www.sciencejoywagon.com/explrsci/media/density.htm
Interactive volume/density : float/sink activity
http://www.fossweb.com/modulesK2/SolidsandLiquids/activities/changeit.html
changing states of matter
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/states_of_matter/
molecular activity of various states of matter
Vocabulary:
Ch. 11 vocabulary:
matter, solid,
liquid, gas, physical
property, mass
volume
Ch. 12 vocabulary:
substance,
mixture, filter,
solution, dissolve,
alloy
Vocabulary
activities on pgs.
52-61 of HM
Vocabulary
resource book
Additional
vocabulary:
density, buoyancy
physical change, melt,
evaporate, condense,
freeze, chemical
property, chemical
change
Rockaway Township Public Schools
Science Literacy Unit Plan
Physical Science:
Grade 3 – Matter and Water
Related Literature:
Freckle Juice (See HM Unit E text pgs.
Readers’ Theatre: “Why Matter Matters”