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Identify objects and materials as solid, liquid, or gas.
General Information
Subject Area: Science
Grade: 2
Body of Knowledge: Physical Science
Idea: Level 1: Recall
Big Idea: Properties of Matter - A. All objects and substances in the world are made of matter. Matter has two fundamental properties: matter takes up space and matter has mass.

B. Objects and substances can be classified by their physical and chemical properties.

Mass is the amount of matter (or "stuff") in an object. Weight, on the other hand, is the measure of force of attraction (gravitational force) between an object and Earth.

The concepts of mass and weight are complicated and potentially confusing to elementary students. Hence, the more familiar term of "weight" is recommended for use to stand for both mass and weight in grades K-5. By grades 6-8, students are expected to understand the distinction between mass and weight, and use them appropriately.


Clarification for grades K-2: The use of the more familiar term ‘weight’ instead of the term “mass” is recommended for grades K-2.

Clarification for grades 3-5: In grade 3, introduce the term mass as compared to the term weight. In grade 4, investigate the concept of weight versus mass of objects. In grade 5, discuss why mass (not weight) is used to compare properties of solids, liquids and gases.

Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Content Complexity Rating: Level 1: Recall - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
5020030: Science - Grade Two (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
7720030: Access Science Grade 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
5020090: STEM Lab Grade 2 (Specifically in versions: 2016 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
SC.2.P.8.In.2: Identify objects and materials as solid or liquid.
SC.2.P.8.Su.2: Recognize water in solid or liquid states.
SC.2.P.8.Pa.2: Recognize water as a liquid.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

Explore the States (of Matter): Glorious Gases:

This is the third lesson of three lessons designed for second grade students to understand and appreciate what matter is and which properties of matter are used to classify it as a solid, liquid or gas. The first lesson is Exploring the states (of Matter): Super Solids (see CPALMS Resource# 46557).

Type: Lesson Plan

Explore the States (of Matter): Super Solids:

This is the introductory lesson of three lessons designed for second grade students to understand and appreciate what matter is and which properties of matter are used to classify it as a solid, liquid or gas. Because solids are the most familiar form of matter for children, a shorter exploration of solids is included as the hands-on component.

Type: Lesson Plan

States of Matter:

In this 2-3 part session, students will manipulate printable objects and sort them into the three states of matter-solid, liquid and gas. They will also participate in a hands-on group investigation and record their observations into their Science Notebooks. A quiz on the content is also provided.

Type: Lesson Plan

The Shape of Kisses:

This resource features a lesson plan for comparing the properties of Hershey's chocolate kisses in different states: solid and liquid.

Type: Lesson Plan

Explore the States (of Matter): Lovely Liquids:

This is the second lesson of three lessons designed for second grade students to understand and appreciate what matter is and which properties of matter are used to classify it as a solid, liquid or gas. The first lesson is Exploring the States (of Matter): Super Solids (CPALMS Resource# 46557).

Type: Lesson Plan

What's the Matter?:

This is a lesson where students will identify the properties of matter by their shape, color, size, and texture. Students will learn about how atoms make up matter through a hands on activity titled "Marshmallow Atoms." They will also be using their daily science notebooks.

Type: Lesson Plan

You Name It!:

Students are given a variety of materials and asked to identify each material as a solid, liquid or gas. They use their five senses — sight, sound, smell, texture and taste — to identify the other characteristics of each item.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorial

Is It Full?:

Investigate whether a container is "full" by exploring the three main states of matter in this interactive science tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Presentation/Slideshows

Liquids: A Science Curriculum Resource Support:

This is an accessible, easy-to-read book about liquids. It can be downloaded in Power Point, Impress, and Flash formats. For struggling or non-readers, the book can be read aloud in a variety of voices. All of the books on the Tar Heel Reader site can be used with the Intellikeys keyboard and a custom overlay, a touch screen, and/or 1-3 switches. The text and background colors can be modified for students with visual impairments.

Type: Presentation/Slideshow

Three Kinds of Matter: Solids, Liquids, and Gases:

This is free, easy-to-read, and accessible book that explains the three states of matter. The book may be downloaded as slide show in PowerPoint, Impress, or Flash format. The book can be speech enabled and accessed using multiple interfaces, including touch screens, the IntelliKeys with custom overlays, and 1 to 3 switches.

Type: Presentation/Slideshow

Teaching Ideas

Investigating Oobleck: Solid or Liquid?:

The students will make their own predictions and conclusions on whether Oobleck is a solid or liquid by using focus observations, conducting focus explorations, raising questions, clarifying questions, and making conclusions about Oobleck.

Type: Teaching Idea

Solid and Liquid Stations:

Students investigate the properties of solids and liquids.

Type: Teaching Idea

Solid or Liquid?:

In this chemistry lesson students will investigate if certain materials are solids or liquids. Students are expected to make predictions, record observations, draw conclusions, and formulate questions for further investigation.

Type: Teaching Idea

Unit/Lesson Sequences

Water 1: Water and Ice:

In three connected lessons students observe and describe water as it changes state. In Water 1: Water and Ice, students explored how water can change from solid to liquid and back again. In the second lesson, students will focus on the concept that water can go back and forth from one form to another focusing on a liquid changing to a gas. In the third lesson, students investigate what happens to the amount of different substances as they change from a solid to a liquid or a liquid to a solid.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Matter: Solids:

In this unit, properties of matter are introduced and solids are explored. Exposure to the engineering design process synthesizes information learned about solids and asks students to create a homemade play dough recipe.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Video/Audio/Animation

States of Matter:

The representation is an animation showing particle arrangement and movement in a gas, liquid, and solid. In addition, there is accompanying text and a chart that compares the characteristics of a solid, liquid, and gas.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Worksheet

Changing States of Matter:

In this activity, students will see that the liquid water can change state again and freeze to become ice.

Type: Worksheet

Original Student Tutorials Science - Grades K-8

Is It Full?:

Investigate whether a container is "full" by exploring the three main states of matter in this interactive science tutorial.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorial

Is It Full?:

Investigate whether a container is "full" by exploring the three main states of matter in this interactive science tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Presentation/Slideshows

Liquids: A Science Curriculum Resource Support:

This is an accessible, easy-to-read book about liquids. It can be downloaded in Power Point, Impress, and Flash formats. For struggling or non-readers, the book can be read aloud in a variety of voices. All of the books on the Tar Heel Reader site can be used with the Intellikeys keyboard and a custom overlay, a touch screen, and/or 1-3 switches. The text and background colors can be modified for students with visual impairments.

Type: Presentation/Slideshow

Three Kinds of Matter: Solids, Liquids, and Gases:

This is free, easy-to-read, and accessible book that explains the three states of matter. The book may be downloaded as slide show in PowerPoint, Impress, or Flash format. The book can be speech enabled and accessed using multiple interfaces, including touch screens, the IntelliKeys with custom overlays, and 1 to 3 switches.

Type: Presentation/Slideshow

Video/Audio/Animation

States of Matter:

The representation is an animation showing particle arrangement and movement in a gas, liquid, and solid. In addition, there is accompanying text and a chart that compares the characteristics of a solid, liquid, and gas.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Presentation/Slideshows

Liquids: A Science Curriculum Resource Support:

This is an accessible, easy-to-read book about liquids. It can be downloaded in Power Point, Impress, and Flash formats. For struggling or non-readers, the book can be read aloud in a variety of voices. All of the books on the Tar Heel Reader site can be used with the Intellikeys keyboard and a custom overlay, a touch screen, and/or 1-3 switches. The text and background colors can be modified for students with visual impairments.

Type: Presentation/Slideshow

Three Kinds of Matter: Solids, Liquids, and Gases:

This is free, easy-to-read, and accessible book that explains the three states of matter. The book may be downloaded as slide show in PowerPoint, Impress, or Flash format. The book can be speech enabled and accessed using multiple interfaces, including touch screens, the IntelliKeys with custom overlays, and 1 to 3 switches.

Type: Presentation/Slideshow