Grade 3 Science TEKS 3.6A:Physical Properties of Matter

Learning Target: I can measure test, and record mass.

Focuses On:

• Determining which items have less mass and which have more mass.
• Reading a digital scale and recording the mass.

Builds On:

1.6A:

classify objects by observable physical properties, including, shape, color, and texture, and attributes such as larger and smaller and heavier and lighter

Next Level:

4.6A:

classify and describe matter using observable physical properties, including temperature, mass, magnetism, relative density (the ability to sink or float in water), and physical state (solid, liquid, gas)

Read More:

This lesson is designed to support students' understanding of mass. This is the first time students are introduced to the term 'mass' itself.

The lesson starts with an introduction to mass using items familiar to students, allowing them to compare which items have more or less mass than others. Next, it teaches students how to read mass from a digital scale and record that information.

The lesson builds on 1.6A, where students identify whether an object is lighter or heavier than another.

Learning Target: I can measure, test, and record magnetism.

Focuses On:

• Testing magnets on objects for magnetic properties.
• Measuring and recording the strength of different magnets.

Builds On:

K.7A:

describe and predict how a magnet interacts with various materials and how magnets can be used to push or pull

Next Level:

4.6A:

classify and describe matter using observable physical properties, including temperature, mass, magnetism, relative density (the ability to sink or float in water), and physical state (solid, liquid, gas)

Read More:

This lesson is designed to support students' understanding of magnetism, including what materials are magnetic and how some magnets are stronger than others.

The lesson starts with an introduction to the term 'magnetism' and the different types of magnetic materials. It then tests the strength of different magnets and records that information.

The lesson builds on K.7A, where students are introduced to magnets and how they interact with various materials.

Learning Target: I can measure, test, and record buoyancy.

Focuses On:

• If objects are made of dense or less dense materials that impact to their ability to float.
• How the shape of objects impacts their ability to float.

Builds On:

This is the first time students are introduces to testing an objects ability to sink or float.

Next Level:

4.6A:

classify and describe matter using observable physical properties, including temperature, mass, magnetism, relative density (the ability to sink or float in water), and physical state (solid, liquid, gas)

Read More:

This lesson is designed to support students' understanding of buoyancy. Through trial and error, students will make predictions, learn about materials that sink or float, and discover how an object's shape impacts its ability to sink or float.

The lesson begins with an introduction to buoyancy, allowing students to predict which objects will sink or float before learning how density and shape affect this force.

This is the students' first introduction to the concept of buoyancy. They need to understand that whether an object sinks or floats is dependent on more than just its weight.

Learning Target: I can measure, and record temperature.

Focuses On:

• How to read a thermometer.
• Comparing temperature changes (increase/decrease) at different parts of the day.

Builds On:

2.6A:

classify matter by observable physical properties, including texture, flexibility, and relative temperature, and identify whether a material is a solid or liquid

Next Level:

4.6A:

classify and describe matter using observable physical properties, including temperature, mass, magnetism, relative density (the ability to sink or float in water), and physical state (solid, liquid, gas)

Read More:

This lesson is designed to support students' understanding of temperature.

The lesson starts by teaching students how to properly read a thermometer. It then progresses to comparing data from temperature tables or multiple thermometers to determine if the temperature increased or decreased.

This lesson builds on standard 2.6A, which involves comparing relative temperatures (e.g., warmer or colder), and moves on to measuring and interpreting actual numerical temperatures.