Grade 5 Physical and Chemical Changes Lesson Plan

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I have a Science lesson your grade 5s are sure to love! It involves some simple, but fun experiments that help your students learn the difference between physical and chemical changes, and appeal to those with limited attention spans because there is so much going on in the lesson. I've given you a summary of the lesson and you can access the full lesson details at the bottom of the page.

Lesson Overview

In groups, students will go through a series of change stations. At each of these stations the matter will undergo either a physical or chemical change. It is up to your students to identify which is which and explain their reasoning in a reflection worksheet at the end of the stations. The lesson allows students to do many experiments in one day, thus keeping things interesting and they get to work on their teamwork and collaboration as they go through the activity.

Ontario Science Curriculum Expectations

Overall Expectations

2. Conduct investigations that explore the properties of matter and changes in matter

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the properties of matter, changes of state, and physical and chemical change

Specific Expectations

2.3. use scientific inquiry/experimentation skills to investigate changes of state and changes in matter

2.5. use appropriate science and technology vocabulary, including mass, volume, properties, matter, physical and chemical changes, in oral and written communication

3.4. describe physical changes in matter as changes that are reversible

3.5. describe chemical changes in matter as changes that are irreversible

3.8 distinguish between a physical change and a chemical change

How does this promote meaningful Science learning?

-gives students opportunity to collect data from multiple experiments and communicate their thoughts on those findings

-the experiments show physical and chemical changes in a variety of ways, showing students how physical changes and chemical reactions are always happening all around them

-short duration of experiments help keep students motivated and engaged

-working initially in groups and then individually allow students to discuss their thoughts with others, potentially clarifying their views before going on to the written component (that will be formally assessed)

You can access the lesson and the corresponding worksheet and rubric here!

Salt and Pepper Science

No, not with them.

Yes, these ones.
Retrieved from http://goo.gl/04ZuPC.

Whether you're investigating it in a classroom, or using it to irritate your brother, static electricity is a lot of fun. It seems almost like magic sometimes watching a little blue spark jump from your finger to another person's (makes you feel a little like a Sith Lord) or watch materials move seemingly on their own. 

For our Science class at Brock University, Amanda Walker and I demonstrated a motivational demo involving salt, pepper, spoons, and the wonders of static electricity. Kudos to Amanda to searching through some science experiment resources to find it. Here is the full demo outline with full scientific explanation of the demo and guiding questions you can ask your students throughout and after the procedure. Now you too can make pepper move seemingly by itself, right from the comfort of your home or classroom!  

Try with your students, or with your children when you're stuck inside on a rainy day. There is minimal clean up and it is a way to get kids interested in atoms and electricity.