SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS The Solids and Liquids Module provides

SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS

The Solids and Liquids Module provides experiences that heighten

students’ awareness of the physical world. Matter with which we interact

exists in three fundamental states: solid, liquid, and gas. In this module

first and second graders have introductory experiences with two of these

states of matter, solid and liquid.

FOSS Expects Students To

 Develop curiosity and interest in the objects that make up their world.

 Investigate materials constructively during free exploration and in a guided discovery

mode.

 Recognize differences between solids and liquids.

 Explore a number of liquids.

 Observe and describe the properties of solids and liquids.

 Sort materials according to properties.

 Combine and separate solids of different particle sizes.

 Observe and describe what happens when solids are mixed with water.

 Observe and describe what happens when other liquids are mixed with water.

 Use information gathered to conduct an investigation on an unknown material.

 Acquire the vocabulary associated with the properties of solids and liquids.

 Use written and oral language to describe observations.

Solids Content Thinking Processes

Students explore solid

objects, such as pieces of

wood, plastic, and metal.

They observe, describe, and

sort the objects according to

their properties. They

construct towers (and other

structures), using the

properties inherent in the

materials to accomplish the

task

• Solids are one state

of matter.

• Solid materials have

properties that

separate them from

other states of

matter.

• Solids can be sorted

by their properties.

• Solid materials have

distinct uses based on

their properties

• Observe several kinds of solid

materials.

• Compare properties of solid

materials.

• Sort solids in different ways.

Liquids Content Thinking Processes

Students investigate liquids

in a variety of settings to

become familiar with their

properties. A number of

games are used to rehearse

precise liquids vocabulary.

Liquids are one state

of matter.

• Liquids have many

properties.

• Liquids pour and flow.

• Liquids take the

• Observe and describe properties

of different liquids in bottles.

• Compare the appearance and

behavior of different liquids in

containers.

Students also use

representational materials to

enhance their understanding

of the unique behaviors of

liquids.

shape of their

container.

• The surface of liquid

is level with respect to

the ground.

Bits and Pieces Content Thinking Processes

Students work with beans,

rice, and cornmeal to find out

how solids behave when the

pieces are small. They shake,

rattle, and roll the materials

in bottles, pour them from

container to container, and

separate them using screens.

• Solid materials come

in all sizes and shapes.

• Particles of solid

materials can pour like

liquids, but maintain

their shape.

• Solid materials can

support denser

materials on their

surface.

• Mixtures of solid

particles can be

separated with a

screen.

• Observe properties of solid

particles in different containers.

• Separate a mixture of solids by

using screens.

• Observe and describe the

properties of solid particles in

closed bottles.

• Use representational materials to

separate particles based on size.

Solids And Liquids With Water Content Thinking Processes

Students investigate

interactions between solids

and water and liquids and

water. They observe,

describe, record, and

organize the results. In the

culminating activity students

test toothpaste to determine

if it is a solid or a liquid.

• Some solids change

when mixed with

water; others do not.

• Some solids dissolve

in water; evaporation

leaves the solid behind.

• Some liquids mix with

water; other liquids

form a layer above or

below water.

• Observe and describe what

happens when solids and water are

mixed.

• Observe and describe what

happens when liquids and water are

mixed.

• Organize observations of

mixtures.

Interdisciplinary Foss Science Technology/Home

Extensions Stories Connection

Solids

Language Extensions

Make “My Book of Solids.”

•Draw and label

constructions.

• Make solid collages.

• Sort by geometric shapes.

• Everything Matters

Students play I Spy with family

members, describing the properties

of solids spied at home and

guessing at their identity.

• Build towers from clues.

• Introduce Venn diagrams.

• Set up a solids sorting

center.

• Build a paper bridge.

Liquids

Language Extension

• Write about being a

chemist.

• Graph water amounts in

containers.

• Buy solids and liquids.

• Make a picture collage of

liquids.

• Make a museum of liquids.

• Conduct float and sink

investigations.

• Evaporate water.

• Student projects

• Solids and Liquids

Students record their observations

and the identity of a liquid found at

home. In class they complete their

recordings to form a class book of

liquid riddles.

Bits and Pieces

Language Extensions

• Discuss and compare solids

and liquids.

• Create sound and touch

poetry.

• Graph a trail-mix snack.

• Estimate number of beans

in a handful.

• Create 15-bean soup-mix

art.

• Make bottle art.

• Separate mixtures with

magnets or sifters.

• Investigate fine powders.

• Mix solids to make layers.

• Solids to Liquids and

Back Again

Students investigate what happens

when solids and liquids are poured

on porous and nonporous surfaces,

such as plastic and paper towels.

Solids and Liquids with

Water

Language Extensions

• Time ice melting.

• Enlarge a recipe.

• Change states of matter.

• Make an ocean in a bottle.

• Mix It Up!

Students use solids and liquids to

make a salad dressing and observe

what happens when the materials

are mixed.

• Make liquid layers.

• Mix colors and media.

• Make soft drinks.

FOSS AND NATIONAL STANDARDS

The Solids and Liquids Module emphasizes the development of observation and description

skills and building explanations based on experience. This module supports the following

National Science Education Standards.

SCIENCE AS INQUIRY

Develop students’ abilities to do and understand scientific inquiry.

•Ask and answer questions.

•Plan and conduct simple investigations.

•Employ tools and techniques to gather data.

•Use data to construct reasonable explanations.

•Communicate investigations and explanations.

•Understand that scientists use different kinds of investigations and tools to develop

explanations using evidence and knowledge.

CONTENT: PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Develop students' understanding of the characteristics of matter.

•Objects have many observable properties, such as size, weight, shape, sound, texture, and

the ability to react with other substances, such as water.

•Objects can be described by the properties of the materials from which they are made, and

those properties can be used to separate or sort a group of objects or materials.

•Materials can exist in different states—solid, liquid, and gas. Some common materials, such as

water, can be changed from one state to another by heating or cooling.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Develop students' abilities in technological design.

•Identify a simple problem and propose a solution.

•Evaluate a product or design.

•Communicate a problem, design, and solution.