Matter Teaching Resources
Teaching about matter in your science classes? Explore activities, experiments, worksheets and more teacher resources created to help you with your lesson plans and help primary students understand what matter is and what it's made from!
Aligned with both TEKS and the NGSS curriculum, the science teaching resources in this collection offer everything you need to explain the changing states of matter and how it's classified, plus activities that help students better understand the makeup of different molecules.
Whether it's your first year teaching about matter or you just need a handy guide to save time on lesson planning, we've got you covered! Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a way to explain what matter is to your science classes.
What Is Matter? A Kid-Friendly Definition
So what, exactly, is matter? Here's a helpful explanation from our teacher team that you can use with your class:
Matter can be defined as anything that has mass and occupies space. It's literally the stuff that makes up everything in the universe, including our bodies!
What Is Matter Made Up Of? How to Explain This to Kids
This may sound like a bit of an existential question, but bear with us! Learning what matter is made of can help our students to understand the different properties and behavior of the various types of matter.
Let's break down all that matter is made of for kids:
- Atoms — All matter is made up of atoms. This is the word we use to describe tiny particles. They're so tiny the human eye can't even see them. Atoms are like the building blocks of matter.
- Molecules — When 2 or more atoms come together and form a bond, you get a molecule. The different combinations and arrangements of atoms and molecules create the various substances and materials we see, breathe, feel and use every day.
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Physical and Chemical Changes Foldable
A foldable to use when learning about physical and chemical changes.
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Science Experiment - Observing a Chemical Reaction
A science experiment that investigates chemical changes and the law of conservation of mass.
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Physical and Chemical Changes - Sorting Activity
A set of 24 sorting cards to practice identifying physical and chemical changes.
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Physical Properties of Metals Worksheet
Practice identifying the common properties of metals.
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States of Matter Lab Worksheet
A lab experiment mixing a solid with a liquid to create a gas.
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Changing States of Matter Worksheet
A worksheet based on the changing states of matter.
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The Gas Has Mass Task Cards
A set of four task cards that explore the physical properties of gases.
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Observing Matter Worksheet
A worksheet to practice observing the properties of matter.
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States of Matter Poster
A poster that displays the three states of matter, their properties, and the processes for changing states.
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What's the Matter? Worksheet
A worksheet for students to record what they know about matter.
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The State of Matter Worksheet
A worksheet that helps students classify a substance's state of matter by observing changes to its properties.
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My Monster Reflection Template
A reflection worksheet for students to use after creating a three-dimensional monster.
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Mixtures PowerPoint Presentation
With this teaching presentation, students will be able to compare and contrast a variety of mixtures, including solutions.
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Science Experiment - Keep Me Dry
A science experiment that explores the absorptive properties of materials.
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Density Column Science Experiment
A science experiment to use with your students when learning about density.
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Understanding States of Matter Worksheet
A worksheet that allows students to demonstrate their knowledge of solids, liquids, and gases.
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States of Matter
A poster to display in the classroom showing the states of matter.
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Density Foldable
A foldable to use when learning about density.
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States of Matter Properties Venn Diagram
Explore the properties of solids, liquids, and gases with this cut and paste worksheet.
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States of Matter Template
A template to use when learning about changes in states of matter.
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Science Experiment - States of Matter
A science experiment that investigates how a substance's state of matter can be changed.
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Going, Going, Gone! - Worksheet
A worksheet that explores how matter changes state at different temperatures.
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Removing Heat – Worksheet
An activity to demonstrate what happens to a variety of liquids when heat is removed.
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Science Experiment - Cover to Conserve
A science experiment that investigates if evaporation can be reduced by covering a body of water.
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Solids, Liquids, and Gases PowerPoint
A 31-slide editable PowerPoint template to use when teaching your students about solids, liquids, and gases.
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Melting and Freezing – Worksheet
An activity to demonstrate how a change of state between solid and liquid (and back again) can be caused by adding or removing heat.
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States of Matter: Gases – Poster
An educational poster explaining the properties of gases.
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States of Matter: Liquids – Poster
An educational poster explaining the properties of liquids.
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States of Matter: Solids – Poster
An educational poster explaining the properties of solids.
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Mass vs. Weight - Poster
A poster explaining the difference between mass and weight.
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Properties of Materials Word Wall Vocabulary
Forty-eight properties of materials vocabulary cards.
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Heavy and Light Hands-on Activity
A fun, hands-on activity for students to compare the weight of various objects