Lesson 2: Water is Matter

Author Name: Jennifer Medwick

Grade Level: 2-4
Subject Area(s): Science
Key Concepts: water, states of matter, properties of water as a solid, liquid and gas.
Guiding Questions:
What are the states of matter for water and how do they change with relation to temperature?
What happens to matter as it is heated or cooled?
What are the properties of solid water (ice), liquid water, and water vapor (gas)?

Academic Standards:
2nd Grade
2.P.2 - Understand properties of solids and liquids and the changes they undergo
3rd Grade
3.P.2 - Understand the structure and properties of matter before and after they undergo a
change.
4th Grade
4.P.2 - Understand the composition and properties of matter before and after they undergo a
change or interaction.

Lesson Summary:
In this lesson, the teacher will show the video Matter Chatter to review prior knowledge of matter and
build enthusiasm for the lesson. The teacher will then ask the students to be scientists, as they examine
containers of water in its 3 states: Solid, liquid and gas. Students will be asked to record their
observations of the samples. After brief instruction on how matter (water) changes between those three
states, students will complete a worksheet on the changing states of matter(Appendix A). Students will
then be prompted to organize all the information presented during lesson on a 3-set Venn Diagram
(Appendix C).

Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
Conduct investigations to determine the properties of water as a solid, liquid or gas, and record
their observations.
Compare and contrast the properties of water as a solid, liquid or gas.
Explain the role temperature plays in the state of water.

Students will understand that:

Temperature determines the state of matter.
 The properties of matter correspond with the state of the matter.

Assessment:
Chalk Talk Activity- Prompt students to answer questions about properties of three phases of
water.
Table 1 will have an ice sample. Ask students to write observations on paper provided.
Table 2 will have liquid water sample. Ask students to write observations on paper provided.
Table 3 will have a container of air (empty). Ask students to write observations on paper
provided.
Complete Changing States of Matter (Appendix A) worksheet to demonstrate understanding of
how water changes state with changing temperatures.
Complete a 3-set Venn Diagram (Appendix C) to compare and contrast water in its three states.

Prerequisite Knowledge:
Water can be found as a solid, liquid or gas.
Temperature dictates the state of water.
Water is matter and matter is everywhere.

Materials and Resources:

Video Matter Chatter by Harry Kindergarten Music
Changes of State visual (Appendix E)
Projector/ whiteboad
Changing States of Matter worksheet (Appendix A)
Glue sticks
3-set Venn Diagram template (Appendix C)
Writing Journal
Containers with ice, liquid water, and air (empty)
3 large sheets of paper for Chalk Talk
Markers/Pencils

Prior Preparation
Have video loaded for projection
Have containers of ice, water, and air ready for examination
Have paper and writing utensils ready for distribution
Have printed handouts of Changing States of Matter (Appendix A) worksheet
Have printed handouts of Venn Diagram template (Appendix C)
Hook/Before:
1. Recap: Last time, we discussed why water is important. We learned how we use it everyday and
how we waste it. Now lets a take a step back and learn what water is. Can anyone tell me what
water is? Allow students to provide some answers.
2. Water is matter. Ask: Can anyone tell me what matter is? Where do we find matter?
3. Explain: I have a really fun video to help you remember what matter is. This should be a review
for you. As you watch this video, take note of what the artists call matter and listen for the
examples they give. Also, listen for how each of the states of matter are described.
Engage
4. Play Matter Chatter video.
5. Ask for feedback on the video did students learn anything new? Can anyone tell me what the
three states of matter are? Ask for examples of each.
6. Explain: Today, we will be talking about a particular type of matter: Water

Model/Guided Practice:
Explore
1) Before beginning to instruct on matter, invite students to be scientists for a bit.
2) Distribute 3 large sheets of paper for Chalk Talk, as the process of Chalk Talk is explained.
a) The three sheets say:
1. What are the properties of solid water (ice)?
2. What are the properties of liquid water?
3. What are the properties of gas water (water vapor)?
b) Explain that properties are words to describe how something looks, feels or acts (It may be
helpful to write this on the board).
c) Instruct students to go to each table, look at and touch the samples, then list the properties they
observe on the sheet of paper. This task should be done quietly and without consulting classmates.
d) After about 10 minutes, instruct students to return to their desks and ask for volunteers to report
observations to the class.
3) Show Changes of State slide (Appendix C). Ask students if they know what it shows.
a) Discuss the process of water going from solid to liquid to gas and vice versa. Be sure to define
any unknown vocabulary (Melting, Condensation, Evaporation, Freezing).
b) Ask students if they can tell how these changes occur, or what controls these changes.
(temperature)
c) Show students the ice sample used for Chalk Talk (it should be melting by now). Guide
students to the conclusion that the ice (solid) is now becoming liquid because it is getting warmer
(heat is added).
Explain
1. Ask What is happening to this ice? melting, becoming water, etc.
2. Why is it melting? its out of the freezer, its too warm in here, etc.
 3. So what is responsible for changing this ice to water? temperature, warmth, etc.
Extend
4) Distribute Changing States of Matter worksheet (Appendix A).
a) Instruct students to work with their tablemates to complete the worksheet, allowing 5-7
minutes for students to complete. Teacher should float around classroom to assist students if
needed.
b) Go over worksheet together, and address any student questions.
Evaluate
5) Ask students to take out their writing journals and distribute template for 3-set Venn Diagram.
(Appendix C)
a) Weve learned a lot about water today. We learned about its states, how it changes states, and
we made observations of each state. Thats a lot of information! I think a Venn Diagram will help
us sort out all this information!
b) Instruct students to work quietly with their tablemates to compare and contrast the ice, water
and water vapor. Allow 6-8 minutes for this. Teacher should make themselves available to
brainstorm with students that may have trouble.
c) After allotted time, project master 3-set Venn Diagram(Appendix C) onto white board. Ask
students to share their comparisons. Teacher fills in the similar/different properties the students
come up with.
d) Teacher asks again if students have any questions. Address any.
e) Ask students to glue Venn Diagram and worksheet into writing journals.

Closure/Evaluation/After:
1. Time permitting, close with a book: Good options are Solids, Liquids, And Gases By Ginger Garrett,
or How Water Changes By Jim Mezzanotte
2. Review major takeaways: Water is matter that can be found as a solid, liquid or gas, and the state it
is in depends on temperature.
3. In our next lesson, we will learn about water in North Carolina

Accommodations:
Allow students to work in small groups so they can collaborate, and guide and support one another.
For differently abled learners, allow them to draw pictures or explain answers orally to the teacher
rather than writing sentences.
AppendixA

Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E