Monday, July 13, 2020

5th Grade Science: Matter Unit


As a previous science teacher, I am writing my own "curriculum" for our 5th grade home school this year (see other units here). I have divided the 16 5th grade Next Generation Science Standards into units. This is my plan for the Matter Unit, consisting of the following standards:

  • 5-PS1-1. Develop a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen.
  • 5-PS1-2. Measure and graph quantities to provide evidence that regardless of the type of change that occurs when heating, cooling, or mixing substances, the total weight of matter is conserved.
  • 5-PS1-3. Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.
  • 5-PS1-4. Conduct an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances.
Some notes: 
The national standards focus on science content, but also science and engineering practices. These practices are an integral part of each standard, which means curriculum and assessment might look a little different than it did when I was a student. Assessments do not have to be a regular "test." Sometimes they will be a lab or a model a student draws of their understanding of an idea.

Also, this is curriculum I, a science teacher, wrote for my academically advanced son. Plus, I was not present for his previous years of school science, so do not know what gaps he may have. In many places, will go way more in depth than just doing the minimum to meet the standard. If you choose to use my resources, please keep that in mind. Feel free to message me about anything you feel needs clarification or more explanation.

I'm anticipating this will be one of the longest units of the year. You could skip the Bill Nye to save time.

The links are to Google Doc version of the materials, allowing you to make a copy and modify them. If you would like all materials in one document, you can find it in the document below, although formatting is not 100%.

Matter Unit Materials PDF (Google Docs versions linked below)
Matter Unit Answer Keys PDF (Google Docs versions linked below)
Matter Unit Slides (can be saved as ppt)


Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four

Day Five
Day Six
Day Seven
Day Eight
  • Conservation of Matter Lab
    • Answer Key
    • Will need:
      • Balance

      • Empty balloon

      • Fizzing Antacid tablet

      • 1 liter bottle of water or soda

      • Empty plastic bottle with lid (you can clean and reuse the 1 liter bottle)

      • Water

Day Nine

  • Finish Conservation of Matter Lab
  • Slides 13-19
    • Take notes as needed
Day Ten
  • Watch Bill Nye Phases of Matter (our library has this or you can find it on YouTube)
    • Take notes as needed
Day Eleven
Day Thirteen
  • Physical and Chemical Changes Investigation
    • Answer Key
    • Will need:
      • 2 small plastic cups

      • 2 tablespoon water

      • ¼ teaspoon borax

      • 3 popsicle sticks

      • 1 tablespoon school glue

      • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

      • 1 tablespoon water

      • Small dish or bowl (like a custard cup)

      • 1 tsp citric acid (grocery store)

      • 1 tsp baking soda

      • Zipper storage bag

      • water

Day Fifteen
  • Identifying Substances Lab
    • Data Chart
    • No answer key because it will depend on what you choose for your unknown. For a simpler lab, eliminate the salt and sugar and make the unknown just one of the original powders.
    • Will need:
      • Salt
      • Baking Soda
      • Cream of Tartar
      • Sugar
      • Cornstarch
      • Baking Powder
      • Vinegar
      • Iodine Solution (Iodine and distilled water)
      • Art Trays (or cookie sheets)
      • 3 eye droppers 
      • 7 spoons, popsicle sticks or scoops (keep separate for each powder)
      • Black construction paper
      • Optional: 7 baby food jars to put the powders in

Day Sixteen

Day Seventeen
Bonus During the Unit:
Potential Resource and Supplements:




See other units here

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