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Videos are great...but videos that encourage singing are really great! Not only does this video encourage the arts but singing can actually help students remember content!

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Solid, Liquid and Gas | States of Matter Song | Science Song for Children | KS1 & KS2

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Read Aloud: Use as an engaging resource! :)

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Read Aloud: Use as an engaging resource! :)

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Week 4 - Wemberly's Ice Cream Star Read Aloud

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S2P1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the properties of matter and changes that occur in objects.

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There are so many cool ways to teach this standard! From videos to pictures to interactive activities during lessons, teaching physical science to 2nd graders can be fun and stress free! :)

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Videos (Over 2 Million Educational Videos Available)

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Freezing and Melting Lesson Plans & Worksheets Reviewed by Teachers

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Find freezing and melting lesson plans and teaching resources. From melting and freezing water worksheets to ice melting and freezing videos, quickly find teacher-reviewed educational resources.

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Let's see what's underneath the surface!

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Let's see what's underneath the surface!

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How to make DIY Homemade Ice Cream in a bag Science Experiment!

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Bill Nye the Science guy:  States of Matter

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This post is a roundup of hands-on and fun properties of matter science experiments and STEAM activities that address second grade science standards. All of the materials used are easy to find and available at the dollar store.

Properties of Matter Science Experiments

It is essential when teaching science that our students learn to ask questions, make observations, and be able to communicate what they observe. We want our students to learn how to plan and carry out investigations and be able to interpret their results.

As you encourage your students to ask questions, guide them to see how their questions can be investigated. In the primary grades, we may need to provide the questions as a starting point.

The following are questions for students to investigate while learning about the structure and properties of matter. These investigations address:

How can I describe matter?

Matter has observable, physical properties that are different shapes, colors, textures, materials, and sizes.

This highly engaging lab calls students' attention to small details so that they can describe the properties of a variety of crackers. Click the link to read more: Properties of Matter Cracker Lab

What materials make an object flexible?

As students learn that the structure and properties of matter can be observed, give them experience in planning and conducting simple investigations.

Hardness, magnetism, and flexibility are properties that are easily tested. Gather a variety of objects so that students can test their flexibility. Click the link to read how we explored flexibility: Exploring Flexibility Lab

How does temperature change matter?

Did you know that ice cream is a solid, a liquid, and a gas all at once? This ice cream in a bag lab is a favorite science activity that is easily done in the classroom.

Students observe the effect of temperature on matter as a liquid mixture turns to a solid. Click the link to read the science behind t ice cream and see how it's done: Ice Cream in a Bag Lab

What solids and liquids will create a gas?

This carbonation exploration uses Pop Rocks candy to investigate how combining a solid and a liquid can form a gas.

Learn how carbonation is made and how to do the lab: Pop Rocks Experiment

How can I design a toy using a solid, liquid and gas?

In this fun STEAM challenge students use a variety of materials to design a toy. Students plan the materials for their toy so that they use at least one solid, one liquid, and one gas.

Design a Toy lab source

The creative possibilities are endless! This lab is part of a second grade Properties of Matter science unit available HERE.

All of these labs are part of a complete Properties of Matter science unit for second grade.

These properties of matter science experiments are hands-on, fun and easy to do in the classroom.
For more second grade science activities visit these posts: Properties of Matter Activities for Second Grade Habitats & Ecosystems Science Activities Landforms & Earth Changes Activities Activities to Teach the Engineering Design Process
Happy teaching!

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Properties of Matter Science Experiments for Second Grade

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This post is a roundup of hands-on and fun properties of matter science experiments and STEAM activities that address second grade science standards. All of the materials used are easy to find and available at the dollar store. It is essential when teaching science that our students learn to ask questions, make observations, and be able to communicate what they observe.

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Fun and engaging activities to incorporate!

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Fun and engaging activities to incorporate!

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Learning about the properties of matter is a highlight in second grade. In this post I've collected some of my favorite science activities that are aligned to NGSS, hands-on, and fun! Read on to find fresh teaching ideas and engaging properties of matter activities that will both excite and inspire your 2nd grade scientists!

Second Grade Properties of Matter Activities

In second grade, students build on prior science knowledge and expand their understanding. They investigate ways that matter can change and whether these changes are reversible. We explore the effects of temperature and teach students to test and measure the properties of objects then apply their knowledge to real world situations. Students become familiar with science and engineering practices as they plan and carry out investigations, make observations, collect and analyze data, construct explanations, and design solutions to problems.

Here are a few of my favorite lessons, activities and experiments for teaching states and properties of matter in second grade.

Describe the properties. Eat the matter!

Scientists describe matter by their features or properties. This simple cracker lab gives students the opportunity to look closely at different types of crackers to describe and compare their size, shape, color and texture.
Source: Properties of Matter 2nd Grade Science
Test the properties of everyday objects

Scientists often test objects for flexibility, hardness, absorbency and buoyancy. They may also test if an object is magnetic.

Test objects for hardness

Have students use a paperclip to do a scratch test for hardness. To do this gather a few items made from of different materials. Some that are hard and some that are soft. Some items to include are an apple, a rubber eraser, a wooden spoon, and a rock. Have students use a paperclip to scratch the surface of each object to determine it's hardness compared to the other objects. Next, have students then order the objects based on their degree of hardness.

Test objects for flexibility

Try a simple flexibility test that uses easy to find materials for students to gently bend and test for flexibility.
Source: Properties of Matter 2nd Grade Science
Explore how engineers are inspired by nature

Scientists and engineers often look to nature for inspiration and ideas when trying to solve problems.

This short video (:57) gives students some cool examples of inventions inspired by nature.

Build models to solve a problem

Show students this PBS video, How Beavers Build Dams. Discuss the purpose of this animal's home to give it shelter from predators. Guide students to understand that it also changes the flow of water. Have students describe the purpose and properties of the materials a beaver uses.

Compare the purpose of a beaver's dam to a man-made dam. Have students share why they think humans might want to change the flow of water. Investigate further by having students use Legos or other materials to build a model of a structure that can change the flow of water. Students can then test their models in a plastic container to determine if it works as expected.

Make student science journals

Keeping a science journal gives students a place to respond and write about what they are learning in science. Science journals can be used for lesson responses, quick checks for understanding, drawing diagrams or designs, planning investigations, and as vocabulary keepers.
Source: Properties of Matter 2nd Grade Science
Explore reversible and irreversible changes using Play Doh

One simple way to explore changes in matter is to use Play Doh. Give students 2 small balls in 2 different colors (Dollar Tree Play Doh is great for this.). Ask students to explore ways they can change their matter (Play Doh). Students can cut, roll, and shape their Play Doh then change it back to the way it was to demonstrate a reversible change. To demonstrate an irreversible change have students mix their 2 colors together.

Design a toy using a solid, liquid, and gas

Challenge your students to design and build a toy using all three states of matter.
Source: Properties of Matter 2nd Grade Science
Provide these materials or anything else you can think of for students to use.
Solids:

cardboard, card stock or construction paper

yarn, string, pipe cleaners, wiggly eyes

foam craft sheets, gold brad fasteners

paper clips

any other craft materials

Liquids: Gases:

sponges (they are filled with air)

bubble wrap

balloons

You will be amazed at your students' creativity!

Use science content to practice literacy skills

Literacy-based science centers are a great way to reinforce science content as students practice literacy skills.
Source: Properties of Matter 2nd Grade Science
Scientists use many of the skills and processes we teach our students as they learn to read. Much of science content can be reinforced while practicing these skills:

Cause & Effect: Connect causes and effects to teaching students about matter and temperature.

Classifying: Have students classify and sort objects by their properties, states of matter and purpose. Groups of students can then compare how they categorized and classified their objects.

Sequencing: Scientists often take steps in a specific order to test objects and materials. They conduct investigations in a sequential order. Have students sequence steps to planning an experiment, building a model and combining matter (Think root beer floats). Add a writing element by having students explain the steps in writing.

Compare/Contrast: Challenge students to compare the properties and purpose of man-made objects to natural objects.
Source: 2nd Grade Properties of Matter Unit All of the activities, experiments, and Power Point lessons shown in this post are part of this complete Properties of Matter unit for 2nd grade.

Click HERE for the complete printable unit and HERE for the digital version. Save on the Print + Digital Bundle.
I hope you'll try some of these properties of matter activities with your second grade scientists. Be sure to pin this post for later so you have it when you plan!
You may also enjoy the science activities in these posts:
Second Grade Habitats & Ecosystems STEM Activities

Landforms & Earth Changes Activities & Experiments

Milk & Cookies and the Scientific Method

9 Activities to Teach the Engineering Design Process

Happy teaching!

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Properties of Matter Activities for Second Grade Scientists

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Learning about the properties of matter is a highlight in second grade. In this post I've collected some of my favorite science activities that are aligned to NGSS, hands-on, and fun! Read on to find fresh teaching ideas and engaging properties of matter activities that will both excite and inspire your 2nd grade scientists!

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Melting Ice Blocks Experiment (ice cubes melting experiment)

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Use this video to engage students before or during the lesson!

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Use this video to engage students before or during the lesson!

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States of Matter and Changes of State - Science for Kids

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Use as an engaging resource before teaching the standard!

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Use as an engaging resource before teaching the standard!

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Sid the Science Kid- Why did my ice pop melt? Read Aloud