States of Matter
Year 4
Unit Overview
In the States of Matter project, your child will identify and classify solids, liquids and gases. They will learn the properties of solids, liquids and gases and discover that some materials have properties of more than one state. They will learn that particles make up all matter and how their arrangement determines whether the material is a solid, liquid or gas. They will find that materials can change from one state to another and learn about how materials can change state. They will use thermometers to measure the temperature of water and observe what happens when water changes state. They will investigate melting ice and record their data on graphs. They will also learn about melting and boiling points, researching various materials' melting and boiling points.
❇ MEMORABLE MOMENT
Using chocolate buttons to identify and change states of matter.
️✏️ WRITING OPPORTUNITIES
Children will be writing up their investigations focussinfg on the method and prediction.
🌳 LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Acting out being the particles in hoops for the different states of matter.
Unit Sequence: Learning Intentions
Solids, liquids and gases: How can we group and sort solids, liquids and gases?
Compare and group materials together, according to whether they are solids, liquids or gases
Classifying solids, liquids and gases: How can we sort solids, liquids and gases which are difficult to categorise?
Compare and group materials together, according to whether they are solids, liquids or gases.
Change of State: How do some materials change state between and solid, liquid or a gas?
Observe that some materials change state when they are heated or cooled, and measure or research the temperature at which this happens in degrees Celsius (°C)
Scientific equipment: How do you use a thermometer and a stopwatch accurately?
Observe that some materials change state when they are heated or cooled, and measure or research the temperature at which this happens in degrees Celsius (°C)
Plan an investigation: Does the temperature of water affect the time it takes for ice to melt?
Observe that some materials change state when they are heated or cooled, and measure or research the temperature at which this happens in degrees Celsius (°C)
Investigate: Does the temperature of water affect the time it takes for ice to melt?
Observe that some materials change state when they are heated or cooled, and measure or research the temperature at which this happens in degrees Celsius (°C)
The Water Cycle: What is the water cycle?
Identify the part played by evaporation and condensation in the water cycle and associate the rate of evaporation with temperature
Plan an investigation: Does temperature affect the time it takes for water to evaporate?
Identify the part played by evaporation and condensation in the water cycle and associate the rate of evaporation with temperature
Investigate: Does temperature affect the time it takes for water to evaporate?
Identify the part played by evaporation and condensation in the water cycle and associate the rate of evaporation with temperature
Evaluate: Does temperature affect the time it takes for water to evaporate?
Identify the part played by evaporation and condensation in the water cycle and associate the rate of evaporation with temperature
Working Scientifically
Talk about criteria for grouping, sorting and classifying (non-statutory)
Identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas
Asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them.
Making systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, taking accurate measurements using standard units, using a range of equipment, including thermometers and data loggers
🏁 BIG FINISH
The children will complete a detailed investigation about states of matter.
📖 FOCUS TEXT(S)
The children will explore a variety of high quality non fiction texts linked to the topic.