The state of matter PATHWAY BASED ON SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTSThe state of matter: solid and liquid – exploring the change



Goals:




Introducing the concepts „the state of matter”, „solid” and „liquid”



Shaping the comprehension of the chemical processes underlying the state of matter change (freezing, melting, dissolving, crystallizing, solidifying);



Exploring the function of external factors in turning the state of matter (inhibitors and catalysts such as: salt, temperature, wrapping etc.)



Developing the skills of observing the chemical and physical processes



Strengthening the exploratory attitudes in children








Intended Learning Outcomes



The child will be able to:




explain the concepts of liquid / solid and differentiate between freezing, melting, crystallizing, solidifying



participate in experiments under the supervision of a teachers



observe the process of turning the state of matter into a different one (freezing, melting, dissolving, crystallizing, solidifying);



draw conclusions about factors inhibiting and catalyzing the process of changing the state of matter



design his/ her own experiments related to the topic (using materials provided by a teacher);



reflect on his/ her own learning results








The structure of the learning pathway



Stage I



Introducing the concept „the state of matter”, „solid” and „liquid”. Introducing the scientific terms into child’s everyday language. Understanding the the process of turning the liquid into solid may take a different form (freezing, crystallizing, solidifying).




Make your own ice-cream or (according to teachers own choice)



 Ice inferno – using experiment with ice cube and salt to prepare vanilla ice cream



Crystal sun-catchers with recycled lids – observing the process of crystallizing and differentiating crystallizing from freezing




Stage II



Exploring the external conditions and factors influencing the state of matter changes – recognizing the 2 types of factors: inhibitors and catalysts in the process of melting the ice or chocolate and solidifying the substances




Chocolate Science – exploring reversible change



Don’t Melt the Ice’ Challenge – discovering the possibilities of delaying the melting process



Biscuit Science – exploring the shape of a liquid and changes in the state of matter from solid to liquid and vice versa (with the example of baking cookies)




Stage III



Between solid and liquid – exploring unusual/ atypical substances.




Ice cream soup (story + activity)



Hot Ice Science Experiment – observing the process of crystallizing








Assessment



Initial – building a mind-map (What do I know about? What I would like to learn about…? – activating the prior knowledge of children



Ongoing – described in every resource



Final assessment




Reflection with the mind map prepared at the beginning – What have we learned? What was the most intriguing? What else would we like to know about different states of matter?



Voting for the most interesting experiment (children can put the sticker under the photo presenting their favorite experiment)



Self-evaluation of one’s own learning process – with the chart prepared by a teacher








1. I can recognize liquid and solid2. I can explain when and how the solid changes into liquid3. I can delay and speed up the process of ice melting4. I can make a non-newtonian liquid5. I know what is the process of crystallizing6. I know what is „an experiment”7. I can observe and make notes8. I like to conduct scientific experiments in the preschool9. I can be a cautious scientist – I know how to behave safely in scientific laboratory