Properties of Matter for Grades K-2

Jennifer E. Lawson, PhD, is the creator of the Hands-On books published by Portage & Main Press. As senior writer and editor for the series, she has contributed to more than 50 publications for teachers and students. Jennifer provides professional development workshops for educators locally, nationally, and virtually, and is a Workplace Wellness Advisor. Her most recent book is a collective effort called Teacher, Take Care: A Guide to Well-Being and Workplace Wellness for Educators. She is also one of the founders of Mission to Mexico, an organization that supports schools in some of the most impoverished communities in Puerto Vallarta. Throughout her extensive career in education, Jennifer has worked as a classroom teacher, resource and special education teacher, consultant, principal, university instructor, and school trustee. She lives with her family in Winnipeg, Manitoba.Rosalind Poon has been a science teacher and Teacher Consultant for Assessment and Literacy with the Richmond School District for the past 18 years. In her current role, she works with school teams to plan and implement various aspects of the curriculum by collaborating with teams in professional inquiry groups on topics such as descriptive feedback, inquiry, assessment, and differentiation. Her passions include her family, dragon boating, cooking with the Instant Pot and making sure that all students have access to great hands-on science experiences.Deidre Sagert specializes in early years education, and is currently working as the Early Years Support Teacher for the St. James-Assiniboia School Division. She brings 20 years of experience to her current role where she mentors early years teachers in incorporating play-based learning and inquiry into all subject areas. She is passionate about ensuring all students have access to a stimulating environment where they are engaged in hands-on experiences and authentic learning. She enjoys spending time with her family in nature for rejuvenation and inspiration.Melanie Nelson is from the In-SHUCK-ch and Stó:loˉ Nations, and has experience teaching kindergarten through grade 12, as well as adults in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. She has taught in mainstream, adapted, modified, and alternate settings, at the classroom, whole school, and district levels. Trained as an educator in science, Melanie approaches Western science through an Indigenous worldview and with Indigenous ways of knowing. Her Master of Arts thesis explored the experience of Indigenous parents who have a child identified as having special needs in school, and she is currently completing a Doctor of Philosophy in School Psychology at the University of British Columbia.Lisa Schwartz has been a Teacher Consultant for Assessment and Literacy with the Richmond School District for the past six years. As a consultant, Lisa facilitates professional learning with small groups and school staffs on topics such as the redesigned curriculum, Core Competencies, differentiation, inquiry, and assessment. She also works side by side with teachers co-planning, co-teaching and providing demonstration lessons to highlight quality, research-based instruction that supports all learners. Lisa is passionate about engagement, joyful learning, and success for all students.

• Introduction to Hands-On Science 5About Hands-On Science 5 Format of Hands-On Science 5 The Multi-Age Approach 6 Inquiry and Science 6 The Goals of Science Education in British Columbia 6 Hands-On Science Principles 7 Cultural Connections 8 Indigenous Perspectives and Knowledge 9 References 12 How to Use Hands-On Science in Your Classroom 13Multi-Age Teaching and Learning 13 Module Overview 13 Talking Circles 16 Multiple Intelligences Learning Centres 17 Icons 18 Makerspaces 19 Loose Parts 20 References 21 Curricular Competencies: How to Infuse Scientific Inquiry Skills and Processes Into Lessons 22Observing 22 Questioning 22 Exploring 22 Classifying 23 Measuring 23 Communicating, Analyzing, and Interpreting 24 Predicting 25 Inferring 25 Inquiry Through Investigation and Experimentation 25 Inquiry Through Research 26 Addressing Students’ Early Literacy Needs 27 Online Considerations 27 References 28 The Hands-On Science Assessment Plan 29Student Self-Assessment 29 Formative Assessment 31 Summative Assessment 32 Indigenous Perspectives on Assessment 33 Connecting Assessment to Curricular Competencies 33 Module Assessment Summary 34 Important Note to Teachers 34 References 34 Assessment Reproducibles 35 What Are the Properties of Matter? 59About This Module 60 Curriculum Learning Framework 64 Curricular Competencies Correlation Chart 65 Resources for Students 67 1 Initiating Event: What Do We Observe, Think, and Wonder About Objects and Materials in Nature? 71 2 What Can We Learn About Objects and Materials Through Storytelling? 77 3 What Do We Know About Objects and Materials? 82 4 How Can We Describe Objects and Materials? 88 5 How Can We Sort Objects and Materials? 92 6 Why Are Some Materials Better Than Others for Certain Jobs? 96 7 How Can Different Materials Be Used to Construct Objects? 102 8 How Do We Decide Which Materials Are Best to Do a Job? 106 9 Why Is It Important to Choose the Right Material for the Job? 111 10 How Can We Change the Properties of Waste Materials to Use Them in Different Ways? 116 11 How Can We Use Materials in Different Ways to Design and Construct Objects? 121 12 What Do We Know About Solids and Liquids? 125 13 What Are Solids and Liquids? 129 14 What Are Some Properties of Liquids? 135 15 Can Liquids and Solids Be Mixed Together? 142 16 How Can We Combine Solids and Liquids to Make Useful Products? 148 17 What Are the Properties of Air? 153 18 What Is a Physical Change? 158 19 What Is a Chemical Change? 162 20 How Does Food Preparation Depend on Physical and Chemical Changes? 167 21 Inquiry Project: What More Do We Want to Know About the Properties of Matter? 172 Appendix: Image Banks 175About the Contributors 180Hands-On Science Order Form 181