4.6(A): Classify and describe matter using observable physical properties…
Classify and describe matter using observable physical properties, including relative density (the ability to sink or float in water) and physical state. The lava-lamp lesson is about oil floating on water and blobs sinking (partial).
The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Science outcome 4.6(A) (Matter and energy) for Grade 4 says: “Classify and describe matter using observable physical properties, including relative density (the ability to sink or float in water) and physical state. The lava-lamp lesson is about oil floating on water and blobs sinking (partial).” This Fieldbook unit teaches it hands-on, with everyday materials and a printable teacher guide and student sheet for every lesson. Official wording: Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Science.
Kitchen Chemistry for Families Grades K–5
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.
- Why do the blobs in a lava lamp go up and down? 45 min
Kids layer oil and water in a glass, add food colouring and a piece of fizzy tablet, and watch coloured blobs rise and sink. Then they explain it with floating, sinking and gas bubbles, and test whether warm water changes the show.
- Is oobleck a solid or a liquid? 45 min
Kids mix cornstarch and water into oobleck, then poke, squeeze, slap and drip it to find out when it acts like a solid and when it acts like a liquid. They finish able to explain why speed and force change the way it behaves.
- What makes a volcano erupt? 45 min
Kids test baking soda and vinegar to find out where the fizz comes from, build the classic kitchen volcano, then open bottles of sparkling water to see what really drives an eruption: gas trapped under pressure. They finish able to explain how the model is like a real volcano, and how it isn't.
- 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.
Printable practice for 4.6(A)
- Kitchen Chemistry for Families workbook included with the unit
3 practice pages, 3 readings, 2 English-support pages, 1 word wall, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.
- Clean Water Challenge: Mixtures, Dissolving and Separating workbook included with the unit
3 practice pages, 3 readings, 1 word wall, 1 English-support page, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.
- Solids, Liquids and Gases workbook included with the unit
1 word wall, 1 practice page, 1 reading, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.
- Grade 4 Rocks and Minerals printable pack, written for Ontario; the skill matches
3 practice pages, 2 readings, 1 activity, 1 assessment, with answer keys. Free sample.
- Test It, Choose It: Materials workbook included with the unit
2 English-support pages, 2 practice pages, 1 word wall, 1 reading, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.
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, 2-PS1-1.
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