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South Dakota · South Dakota Science · Grade 5

5.PS1.3: Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on…

Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.

The South Dakota Science Standards (2024) outcome 5.PS1.3 (Physical Sciences) for Grade 5 says: “Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.” These 3 Fieldbook units teach it hands-on, with everyday materials and a printable teacher guide and student sheet for every lesson. Official wording: South Dakota Science Standards (2024).

Kitchen Chemistry for Families Grades K–5 · partly supports this outcome

Four famous kitchen experiments, done properly: a homemade lava lamp, oobleck, a baking soda volcano and invisible ink. Each one starts with a real question, works with things from your cupboard, and leaves your child able to explain what happened.

  • How do spies write secret messages? 45–60 min

    Kids write invisible messages in baking soda, then reveal them by painting on grape juice or turmeric water, which change colour where the baking soda is. They finish able to explain that acids and bases make some colours change, and why a plain-water message stays hidden.

Clean Water Challenge: Mixtures, Dissolving and Separating Grade 5 · partly supports this outcome

Where does the salt go when it disappears in water? Can a filter make muddy water safe to drink? How do you get fresh water out of salt water? Three hands-on lessons on dissolving, separating mixtures and the solar still, with nothing tasted and nothing boiled by children.

  • Where does the salt go when it disappears in water? 50–60 min

    Teams stir salt, sugar, sand and flour into water to sort what dissolves from what only mixes, then weigh a jar before and after to find out whether dissolved salt is really gone. They use the evidence to name three mystery powders and to explain, in their own words, why dissolving is not melting.

  • How can you get fresh water out of salt water? 50 min to set up and test, plus 2–3 hours of strong sun (or a 30-minute warm-water still indoors)

    Teams build a solar still from a bowl, a cup and clear plastic film, and watch salt water turn to vapour and back to liquid in the cup, leaving the salt and blue dye behind. They weigh the whole still before and after, and test the collected water with a drop on a dark plate. Cloudy days and cool rooms get an adult-run warm-water version.

Solids, Liquids and Gases Grade 5 · partly supports this outcome

Where does a puddle go? Why does ice float? A first look at the tiny particles that explain the stuff around us.

  • Why does ice float? 50–60 min

    Students compare water before and after freezing: same weight, but more space. They float a block of ice, measure how much sticks out, and use particles to explain why lakes freeze from the top down and fish survive the winter.

Printable practice for 5.PS1.3

Need just this outcome? Build a custom pack from these pages, with its answer key, in about a minute. Custom packs come with All-access and school licences.

Compared with NGSS: 5-PS1-3.

More South Dakota Grade 5 science outcomes we teach

Every South Dakota Grade 5 science standards outcome we teach

Every unit matched to South Dakota's curriculum · All places and curricula

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