Changes (2nd grade)

Students expand their understanding of solids, liquids, and gases by exploring changes in state. They investigate freezing, melting, evaporation, and condensation of water. In a sequence of lessons, students produce a mixture of two solids and a mixture of solids with liquids and observe the results. They work through several methods to separate mixtures: sieving, filtration, evaporation, and chromatography. The students set up races that involve sugar dissolving in water and observe the effects of particle size and water temperature on the rate at which the sugar dissolves. They also observe crystals formed as a result of evaporation.

Students observe some changes that occur immediately and some that occur over time, and they begin to recognize the characteristics of chemical reactions. They investigate rusting, and they observe and collect the gas formed by mixing an effervescent tablet in water. Students have several opportunities to practice their new skills in lessons in which they devise ways of separating a mystery mixture and plan and carry out investigations that involve other changes.

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Changes Storyline (pdf)

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