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ScienceMatter & MaterialsAges 8–11

Solids, Liquids & Gases

Compare and group materials as solids, liquids, or gases based on their observable properties and behaviour

Lesson

Set out your lesson

Classify matter by behaviour and explain two tricky cases.

Before teaching

Activity

Ask the learner to explain one prerequisite idea before starting. If uncertain, revisit it; graph order is not learner readiness.

Policy

Check readiness rather than assuming source graph order establishes attainment.

Printer, credit, and teaching notes
Instructions

Use supplied cards; optional water and a sealed air-filled bag with adult supervision. No boiling water or hot steam. Do not use a bag near face.

No Printer

Use the supplied stage cards on screen or scrap paper; adult key stays separate.

Materials are ready in each step. Use them on screen or print just the current step. Put teaching examples aside before the learner tries.

Next: Show

Adult extras
What this lesson covers and its limits

These are bounded opportunities, not learner attainment. Partial and blocked source requirements remain so.

  • partial: Compare and group materials as solids, liquids, or gases based on their observable properties and behaviour

    Bounded objective: Classify matter by behaviour and explain two tricky cases. Selected familiar samples and stated conditions only; compressibility not physically tested. No hot steam activity.

  • partial: Define solids (fixed shape, hard to compress), liquids (flow, take shape of container), gases (spread out, fill space)

    State behaviours applied at stated conditions; compression not tested.

  • partial: Sort at least eight everyday materials into solid, liquid, or gas categories

    Eight cards classified; no actual specimen testing.

  • partial: Explain tricky cases like sand (solid particles) or steam (gas, not visible water droplets)

    Solid grains and vapour/mist distinctions taught then recalled.

  • partial: Can {{name}} explain the difference between a solid like ice, a liquid like water, and a gas like steam, and sort everyday things into these three groups?

    Try offers taught-content-classification for the bounded objective; it does not establish every part of the source assessment. Selected familiar samples and stated conditions only; compressibility not physically tested. No hot steam activity.

  • Selected familiar samples and stated conditions only; compressibility not physically tested. No hot steam activity.

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Teaching approaches

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1 approach

Selected Default Gakuva

Classify matter by behaviour and explain two tricky cases.

Classify matter by behaviour and explain two tricky cases.

Family records and proof options

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Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.

Learning resources

Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.

PhET Interactive Simulations · Practice link — not the full lesson

States of Matter: Basics

Open practice (new tab)
Before you open · source notes

States of Matter: Basics supports hands-on exploration for Solids, Liquids & Gases. Not every lab worksheet.

Free interactive page, no sign-in required for the tested path.

Before you open

Ask the learner what they changed in the sim or page and what they observed.

Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.

Source, access and review notes

Public PhET Interactive Simulations page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.

PhET Interactive Simulations. “States of Matter: Basics.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.

Unknown — link only

Check understanding

  • Define solids (fixed shape, hard to compress), liquids (flow, take shape of container), gases (spread out, fill space)
  • Sort at least eight everyday materials into solid, liquid, or gas categories
  • Explain tricky cases like sand (solid particles) or steam (gas, not visible water droplets)
“Can your child explain the difference between a solid like ice, a liquid like water, and a gas like steam, and sort everyday things into these three groups?”

Curriculum record

Type
Conceptual
Subject
Science
Domain
Matter & Materials
Age range
Ages 8–11

Standards

acara-v9:AC9S3U04the-ontario-curriculum-science-and-technology-20:ON-SCI-2022-G5-C2.2the-ontario-curriculum-science-and-technology-20:ON-SCI-2022-G5-C2.7uk-nc-2013:Y4.Sci.SM.1