STATES OF MATTER

In Science this term, we will be learning all about the different states of matter.

Children will use scientific working skills such as:

• asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
• setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests
• making systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, taking accurate measurements using standard units, using a range of equipment, including thermometers and data loggers
• gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions
• recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts, and tables
• reporting on findings from enquiries, including oral/written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions
• using results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and raise further questions
• identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes
• using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings

THE BIG IDEAS:

Whilst exploring the 'Big ideas', we will be investigating and answering enquiry questions:

1) How many states of matter are there?

2) Can temperature change the state of an object?

3) Can all liquids be frozen to become solids?

4) What are the stages of the water cycle?

5) Does location affect the rates of evaporation?

In addition to answering these questions, we will be looking at significant scientists and their findings and expanding on our scientific vocabulary!

By the end of this half-term, we will be able to compare and group materials together, according to whether they are solids, liquids or gases; observe that some materials change state when they are heated or cooled and identify the part playing by evaporation and condensation in the water cycle.