4th GradeActivityScience30–40 minutes

States of Matter Lab

Skill taught: Identifying and describing the properties of solids, liquids, and gases

Simple at-home experiments to explore solids, liquids, and gases.

Subject

Science

Type

Activity

Free printable
Time

30–40 minutes

Estimated

Materials Needed

  • β€’Printed lab pages
  • β€’Pencil
  • β€’Household materials: ice cube, water, balloon
  • β€’Optional: thermometer

Directions

  1. 1.Review the three states of matter and their properties before beginning.
  2. 2.Observe each provided material and record its state and properties.
  3. 3.Complete the heating/cooling investigation: observe ice melting and water evaporating.
  4. 4.Record observations and draw diagrams of each state.
  5. 5.Answer the analysis questions using evidence from your observations.

Parent Teaching Tip

The most memorable states of matter lesson is watching ice melt in a warm hand. The transition from solid to liquid is immediate, observable, and reversible β€” a perfect anchor for the concept of state changes.

Skill Progression

Prerequisite skill

Observing and describing properties of materials (Grade 2)

This resource

States of Matter Lab

Next skill

Chemical vs. physical changes; the water cycle

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