Curriculum Guide
Grade 7 – Science Standard 1.1
Physical Science.1.1 - Mixtures of substances can be separated based on their properties such as solubility, boiling points, magnetic properties, and densities.
Related Colorado Department of Education Sample Units:

Mixtures & Substances (Concepts: classification, properties, matter, mixture, substance, solution, density, physical size, boiling point, solubility, magnetic
properties, materials, filtration, scientific investigations)
Essential Questions - 21st Century Skills and Readiness Competencies (District):
1. What techniques can be used to separate mixtures of substances based on their
properties?
2. Which properties are the most useful in trying to separate mixtures of substances?
3. How much difference must there be among the properties of substances for the
properties to be useful in separating the substances?
4. What is the difference between a mixture and a solution?
5. What are the properties of a mixture?
6. Why is separating mixtures important to industries?
7. When is it useful to separate mixtures?
8. When is it detrimental to separate mixtures?
Evidence Outcomes (District):
a. Identify properties of substances in a mixture that could be used to separate those
substances from each other.
b. Develop and design a scientific investigation to separate the components of a
mixture.
Academic Vocabulary (District):
boiling point
Bunsen burner
classification
classify
compare
contrast
density
evaluate critique
experimental procedures
falsifiable hypothesis
filtration
freezing point
gram
heterogeneous
homogeneous
inconsistent results
investigate
substance
magnetic property
mass
material
matter
melting point
Assessment (District):
1, 2, 3, 6, & 7. Assessment is located within each lesson and activity.
4. & 5. Use attached rubrics for assessment.

4. Mixture in Industry Rubric

5. Sand, Water, Salt Rubric
mixture
negative charge
phase
phase change
physical size
positive charge
saturation
scales
scientific investigation
separate properties
solubility
solution
substance
super saturation
volume
temperature
thermometer
variation
Suggested Activities/Strategies (District):
1. Pure Substance, Mixtures, and Separations Lab Activities: Download and use the
lab activities entitled Separating Marbles, Separating Coins, and Separating Metal and
Plastic Beads.

Pure Substances, Mixtures, Separations Lab Activities
2. Messin' with Mixtures Lesson Plan: In this activity, students investigate the
properties of a heterogeneous mixture, trail mix, as if it were a contaminated soil
sample near a construction site.

2. Messin' with Mixtures
3. Mix it Up Lesson Plan: This lesson plan introduces the properties of mixtures and
solutions. A class demonstration gives students the opportunity to compare and
contrast the physical characteristics of a few simple mixtures and solutions.

3. Mix it Up
4. Read the Mixtures in Industry article and have students write a summarizing
paragraph.

4. Mixture in Industry Article
5. Design an experiment to separate a mixture of salt, sand, and water. Have students
follow all safety procedures.

5. Separating Salt and Sand
6. Colors Collide or Combine: In this activity, students explore how the areas of color
change shape as M&M’s are placed in different positions in a plate.

6. Colors Collide or Combine
7. Separating Mixtures Hands-on Activity: Crime labs use a process called
chromatography to separate ink into the individual chemicals that are used to make it.

7. Separating Mixtures Hands-on Activity
Resources/Technology (District):

The Science Queen

Free Clip Art

Free I-pad Apps

Free PowerPoints

Free Interactive Games

Mixture Lab Interactive

Interactive Solubility Demonstration

Element, Compound, Mixture Demo

Solubility Activities

Chemistry4Kids

Interactive Quiz on Mixtures, Elements, Compounds

Multiple Worksheets