Science Lesson Kit · Teacher Resource
Solids & Liquids: How Matter Behaves — 5E Lesson Plan
Physical Science · 40 minutes
Grade 2
5E lesson flow
01
Engage
5 min
Teacher Does
Show a block and water in similar containers. Ask what might happen if each moves to a new container.
Students Do
Predict by pointing, drawing, or speaking.
Ask
- What might stay the same?
- What might change?
Look For
Predictions about shape and flow rather than color or container type.
02
Explore
12 min
Teacher Does
Guide pairs to move one solid sample and pour the same amount of water between two different containers.
Students Do
Observe, compare, and mark KEEPS SHAPE or FLOWS / CHANGES SHAPE.
Ask
- What happened to the sample's shape?
- Did it flow?
- What stayed the same?
Look For
Students focus on the sample itself and use observable behavior.
03
Explain
8 min
Teacher Does
Use students' observations to introduce matter, solid, liquid, property, and classify.
Students Do
Sort examples and complete the frame: “I classify ___ as a ___ because ___.”
Ask
- What property is your evidence?
- How does a liquid behave differently from a solid in this test?
Look For
Keeps own overall shape versus flows and takes container shape.
04
Elaborate
10 min
Teacher Does
Present a mystery-sample scenario and ask students to plan the smallest useful test instead of guessing.
Students Do
Sequence the test and predict what evidence would support solid or liquid.
Ask
- What should we change?
- What should stay the same?
- What would you watch for?
Look For
A simple container comparison using the same sample.
05
Evaluate
5 min
Teacher Does
Show one unfamiliar but safe solid and one liquid example. Ask for classification plus one reason.
Students Do
Point, speak, draw, or write a classification and evidence.
Ask
- How do you know?
Look For
Correct classification supported by an observed property.
Student goal
I can classify solids and liquids using observable evidence.
Learning objectives
- I can tell whether a familiar sample is a solid or a liquid by watching what it does.
- I can compare the same sample in two containers.
Materials
- Wooden blocks or large plastic cubes
- Coins or craft sticks
- Water
- Two differently shaped clear, non-breakable containers per group
- Tray or towel
- Recording sheet
- Pencils or crayons
Before class
- Set up water stations on trays or towels.
- Choose non-breakable containers with clearly different shapes.
- Use only classroom-safe samples; no tasting.
- Keep the same amount of water for each paired comparison.
- Open Teach This Lesson and Practice before class.
Prior knowledge
- Students can compare shapes and describe whether something moves or flows.
- Students have everyday experience with common solids and liquids.
Vocabulary
- matter
- Anything that takes up space, including solids and liquids.
- solid
- Matter that keeps its own overall shape when it is moved.
- liquid
- Matter that flows and changes shape to fit its container.
- property
- Something about matter that we can observe or test.
- container
- Something that can hold a material, such as a cup or bowl.
Differentiation
- Use large picture cards labeled KEEPS SHAPE and FLOWS.
- Allow oral answers, pointing, or drawing before writing.
- Use the frame: I classify ___ as a ___ because ___.
- For extension, ask why color is weak evidence for solid versus liquid.
- Preview that a material can be solid or liquid under different conditions without introducing a particle model.
Assessment
- Check classifications during the container test.
- Listen for evidence language tied to shape and flow.
- Check the mystery-sample investigation sequence.
- Use the exit response to see whether students can classify without relying on color or name.
Exit ticket
Classify one new sample as solid or liquid and give one observable property as evidence.
Extension
Compare an ice cube and liquid water as two forms of the same material. Describe only what you can observe; do not require a particle explanation.