aidemia--modules-lessonanyideas_request	Give a creative idea how to organize and what to do at a part of the lesson
What part of a lesson	Practice
Which subject	Science
What age group	Year or Grade 4
What topic	Physical and chemical principles (laws of conservation, states of matter, properties of materials) are unchanging, but their interactions in Earth systems drive both sudden and gradual change based on NJ Standard 4-ESS2-1.
Quantity	1
Any other preferences

Science Lesson Practice: Exploring Matter and Change

Overview

In this practice session, students will engage in a hands-on activity that allows them to explore the physical and chemical properties of different materials. They will also observe how these properties interact and change under various conditions, emphasizing the laws of conservation and the states of matter. This aligns with NJ Standard 4-ESS2-1.

Objectives

By the end of this practice session, students will be able to:

1. Identify different states of matter (solid, liquid, gas).
2. Describe physical and chemical properties of materials.
3. Understand the laws of conservation in the context of physical and chemical changes.
4. Observe and record changes in materials as they interact in different Earth systems.

Materials Needed

• Ice cubes
• Water
• Balloons
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Clear plastic cups
• Thermometers
• Stopwatch
• Chart paper and markers
• Science journals or worksheets for recording observations

Activity Plan

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Set the Stage: Begin by revisiting the concepts of states of matter and properties of materials. Ask the students to name examples of solids, liquids, and gases in their environment.
2. Introduce Experiment: Explain that they will conduct a fun experiment with ice and chemical reactions that will help them observe changes in matter.

Experiment Stations (30 minutes)

Divide students into small groups and set up three different stations:

Station 1: Melting Ice

• Materials: Ice cubes and clear cups
• Instructions:
  • Place ice cubes in the cups and let students observe them as they melt.
  • Ask students to record the time it takes for the ice to completely melt and discuss what state of matter they observe.
• Discussion Points:
  • What happens to the ice? (It changes from solid to liquid)
  • What does the water feel like? (Temperature observation)

Station 2: Baking Soda and Vinegar Reaction

• Materials: Baking soda, vinegar, clear plastic cups
• Instructions:
  • Add a tablespoon of baking soda to a cup, then pour in vinegar.
  • Observe the bubbling reaction and gas formation while students record the changes.
• Discussion Points:
  • What chemical reaction did you observe?
  • What new substances were formed? (Carbon dioxide gas)

Station 3: Air in a Balloon

• Materials: Balloons and thermometers
• Instructions:
  • Inflate a balloon with air and leave one uninflated for comparison.
  • Measure the temperature of the air inside the balloon and outside. Discuss how air takes up space (gas).
• Discussion Points:
  • How do the two balloons compare in size and temperature?
  • What does this teach about gases and their properties?

Wrap-Up Discussion (10 minutes)

1. Group Sharing: Gather students back together and allow each group to share their observations from each station.
2. Concept Connections: Facilitate a discussion connecting their observations back to the laws of conservation and the states of matter. Reinforce key ideas:
   • Matter is neither created nor destroyed during a physical or chemical change.
   • The properties of materials can change their physical state but remain the same chemically.
3. Record Keeping: Have students summarize their findings in their science journals with sketches or written descriptions of each experiment.

Reflective Closure (5 minutes)

1. Exit Ticket: Ask students to write down one new thing they learned about matter and one question they still have.
2. Encouragement: Remind students that understanding matter and its changes is fundamental to understanding Earth systems!

Conclusion

This interactive and participatory practice session will enhance students’ understanding of physical and chemical principles while making science fun and engaging. By observing and discussing real-life examples of matter in action, students can appreciate the law of conservation and the interactions of materials in their everyday lives.