Magical Matter

Introduction
This is a Science quest about matter. Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. There are three states of matter: solid, liquid, gas. Matter can be changed either chemically or physically. Studying matter is important because it is all around us.

The Task
Your job, as a magician, is to successfully perform all of the 'matter tricks' we have assigned. While completing these tricks you will learn about the states of matter. While completing these tricks you will be working with a fellow magician. We hope you have a magical experience!

Resources
Websites:
What is Matter? http://www.nyu.edu/pages/mathmol/textbook/statesofmatter.html
Chem 4 Kids www.chem4kids.com/
Harcourt States of Matter http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/states_of_matter/
States of Matter http://www.chem.purdue.edu/gchelp/atoms/states.html
Web Videos:
You Tube-States of Matter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2KZmRIKea8

The Process
Trick One: Complete the Scavenger Hunt worksheet using any of the web sites listed above. Turn in the scavenger hunt worksheet.

Trick Two: Watch the Brain Pop video States of Matter http://www.brainpop.com/science/matter/statesofmatter/preview.weml
Take the quiz online.

Trick Three: Go to the following website
After completing the online activity, take the quiz online.

Trick Four: Choose at least one of the AR books on matter.
Read the book and complete the AR test.
Show the teacher your test score.

Trick Five: Write a plan to separate iron filings from sand.
Describe in detail how your plan worked.

Trick Six: Write a plan to separate poppy seeds from sand.
Describe in detail how your plan worked.

Trick Seven: Complete at least one of the versatiles on matter.
Show your teacher the completed versatile.


Trick Eight: Get the basket marked 8. Sort the items in the basket into at least two groups. Draw a diagram showing what you would put together. Explain what those items have in common. Sort the items again, this time into three groups. Draw a diagram showing how you grouped the items. Explain how you decided to group the items. What did they have in common?

Final Trick: Create a product that shows what you have learned about matter. It could be a poster, a brochure, a song, a poem, etc. Be sure to include the following vocabulary: matter, solid, liquid, gas, and properties.

Ohio Indicators
Describe objects by the properties of the materials from which they are made and that these properties can be used to separate or sort a group of objects (e.g., paper, glass, plastic and metal).
Explain that matter has different states (e.g., solid, liquid and gas) and that each state has distinct physical properties.

Chris Van Allsburg

Vocabulary Game
The Stranger Powerpoint
Another Powerpoint
Author Study

Persuasive Writing Assignment:
After reading The Stranger by Chris Van Allsburg In groups of two they decide just who/what the stranger might be. Using index cards the children write a sentence telling what they think the stranger might be (white index card). They give three reasons for their answer (yellow post-it) Each reason is written on a separate index card. They then must find a detail from the story to support their reason. Then they write a concluding sentence (blue post-it). Next, they take the index cards and use them as a graphic organizer to write their persuasive essay.

Matter

What is Matter?
Matter
Song about Matter
Changing State


Movies
Brainpop-Changing States
Brainpop-States of Matter
Brainpop-Measuring Matter

Arrays

Websites for Multiplication Practice
Making Arrays
Teacher Tube: Using Arrays in Multiplication
Math Cats
Multiplication Arrays (to be printed and colored)

Reading

Every student should be reading 60 minutes per day and completing the reading response journal that I provided. Thirty minutes will be completed at school and thirty minutes need to be spent reading at home. I will be meeting with a different group each day to conference and monitor their progress.

So You Want to Be President

This week's reading selection is So You Want to Be President by Judith St. George.
So You Want to Be President powerpoint
WebQuest

We are beginning our unit on multiplication and division in math. According to the Ohio benchmarks and indicators in math, third grade students are expected to be fluent in knowing the single digit multiplication facts. This means that we will not spend much time on memorizing these facts as the students should already know them. If you find that your child does not have the facts memorized, please spend some time practicing the facts each day. I have listed various math links on the right side of this page.

Our focus in science will be matter.
Some sites to visit:
What is matter?
What is Matter?
States of Matter


Timeline Maker

Photos

The students had great fun measuring, weighing and gutting their pumpkins. Surprisingly, the pumpkin with the most seeds was not the biggest in terms of weight or height. Terra's medium sized pie pumpkin won the contest!
The concert is behind us and the kids worked really hard to do such a great job. I hope everyone enjoyed the show:)