Materials: States of matter
Investigating solids, liquids and gases by exploring the properties of different states of matter and how materials change state.
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Materials: States of matter
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Identify solids, liquids and gases using their properties.
- Describe melting, freezing, condensing and evaporating.
- Describe the different stages of the water cycle.
- Describe how temperature affects the rate of evaporation and, therefore, the water cycle.
When working scientifically, pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Ask relevant questions.
- Use results to draw simple conclusions.
- Use thermometers to take accurate measurements.
- Make predictions for new values.
- Record findings using labelled diagrams.
- Research using more than one source.
Please note that Kapow Primary Science lessons are designed to be 1 hour and 30 minutes long to reflect the requirements of a core subject.
Suggested prior learning
Materials: Everyday materials
Get startedLessons
Lesson 1: Solids
Lesson 2: Liquids and gases
Lesson 3: Melting and freezing
Lesson 4: Condensing and evaporating
Lesson 5: The water cycle
Lesson 6: Climate change and the water cycle
Key skills
Equipment list
Equipment needed across all lessons in this unit.
This list does not include equipment which is usually readily available in the classroom (e.g pencils, A4 paper etc)
Full equipment list for the subject
Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected
-
A selection of materials, including solids, liquids and gases
×1 -
A large syringe (end sealed) or empty plastic bottle with lid
×1 -
Sealed syringes containing a coloured liquid
×1 -
Blue food colouring
×1 -
Reusable ice cubes (or normal ice cubes)
×1 -
Plastic trays
×1 -
Plastic cups
×8 -
Jars with metal lids
×8 -
Foil cake cases
×8 -
Access to water
×1 -
Tongs or spoons
×8 - Thermometers ×8
- Kettle ×1
- Mirrors ×30
-
Stopwatches
×15 - Online timer ×1
- Pe hoops ×8
- Sticky notes ×1
-
Tablets
×8 -
A spacious area (e.g. playground or sports hall)
×1
The equipment below is optional
-
Silicone animal shapes ice cube mould
×1 -
A large, plastic box
×1
Equipment list
Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected
-
A selection of materials, including solids, liquids and gases
×1 -
A large syringe (end sealed) or empty plastic bottle with lid
×1 -
Sealed syringes containing a coloured liquid
×1 -
Blue food colouring
×1 -
Reusable ice cubes (or normal ice cubes)
×1 -
Plastic trays
×1 -
Plastic cups
×8 -
Jars with metal lids
×8 -
Foil cake cases
×8 -
Access to water
×1 -
Tongs or spoons
×8 - Thermometers ×8
- Kettle ×1
- Mirrors ×30
-
Stopwatches
×15 - Online timer ×1
- Pe hoops ×8
- Sticky notes ×1
-
Tablets
×8 -
A spacious area (e.g. playground or sports hall)
×1
The equipment below is optional
-
Silicone animal shapes ice cube mould
×1 -
A large, plastic box
×1
Related content
Unit resources
Knowledge organiser – Science Y4: Materials: States of matter
Aimed at pupils, two pages providing key facts and definitions from the unit ‘States of matter'.
Vocabulary display – Science Y4: Materials: States of matter
A display version of the key vocabulary from the unit 'States of matter'.
Cross-curricular opportunities
British values – mutual respect.
Build on the learning
Materials: Mixtures and separation
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