Title/topic:
Mixtures and Solutions
Grade Level
4/5
Designer:
Tricia Blomquist
Home School Academy –Unit Plan
Establish Goal(s): Standards
Standard 1- Physical Science Fifth Grade
1. Mixtures of matter can be separated regardless of how they were created; all weight
and mass of the mixture are the same as the sum of weight and mass of its parts
Understanding(s): big concepts
Students will understand that . . .
-
Essential Question(s): big picture questions with
more than one right answer
 How do materials’ characteristics change when
Different materials can be put together and taken
they are put together?
apart.
 How can we separate mixtures?
Properties of matter can change when added
together
The mass of a mixture remains the same as the
sum of the parts
The change in substances can produce new
materials , and that the changes may give off
energy to run machines
Students will know . . . (vocabulary, concepts, details) Students will be able to . . .(tasks, assessments,
projects, problem-solving)
Chemistry, mixtures, solutions, saturation, properties,
balances, weight, mass, element, atom, molecule,
chemical reaction, relative concentration of solutions,
periodic table, dissolve, dilute, transparent, graduated
cylinder, gram, syringe, density, saturated solution,
Epsom salt, Kosher salt, substance, solubility, precipitate,
solvent, solute, reactants, products, chalk, calcium
carbonate, calcium citrate, citric acid, baking soda,
-tell the difference between a mixture and a solution
-ask a testable question about mixtures, make a
hypothesis, design and inquiry based method of
finding the answer, collect data and form a
conclusion.
-select appropriate tools to conduct and experiment,
use them correctly, and report data in proper units
-review and analyze information presented by peers
and provide feedback on their evidence and
scientific reasoning about the separation of mixtures
and how the separation impacts its total
weight/mass.
- make and separate mixtures, using screens, filters,
and evaporation,
-measure solids and liquids to compare the mass of a
mixture to the mass of its parts.
- Use a balance to determine relative concentration.
Layer solutions to determine relative density
(concentration).
- Plan and conduct saturation investigations.
Compare the solubility of substances in water.
-Identify an unknown substance based on the
properties of solubility and crystal form.
-Observe and compare reactants and products of
several chemical reactions.
Learning Activities:
Students will make mixtures of water and solid materials (salt, gravel, and diatomaceous earth) and separate the
mixtures with screens and filters. They find that water and salt make a special kind of mixture, a solution, that
cannot be separated with a filter but only through evaporation.
Students make a saturated solution by adding salt to water until no more salt will dissolve. They also make a
saturated citric-acid solution. Using a balance, they compare the solubility of the two solid materials by
comparing the mass of the salt and citric acid dissolved in the saturated solutions. They use the property of
solubility to identify an unknown material.
Students observe and compare soft-drink solutions that differ in the amount of powder (water held constant) and
that differ in the amount of water (powder held constant) to develop the concept of concentration. They make
salt solutions of different concentrations and compare them, using a valance. They determine the relative
concentrations of three mystery solutions made from the same solid materials.
Students systematically mix combinations of solid materials (calcium chloride, baking soda, and citric acid) with
water and observe changes that occur. The changes (formation of a gas and a white precipitate) are identified as
chemical reactions. Students investigate these reactions and the materials that are produced.
Students will participate and observe in a Chemistry Magic Show put on by the Air Force Academy Chemistry
department. Randy Ramsdan at 719-333-6118 will be the contact person for the demonstration.