STATES OF MATTER

Teacher Guidelines ▶ pages 1 – 2

1-3
Instructional Pages ▶ pages 3 – 4
Activity Page ▶ pages 5 – 6
Practice Page ▶ page 7 – 8
GRADE Homework Page
Answer Key
▶
▶
page 9
pages 10 – 12
 Classroom Procedure: Approximate Grade Level: 1 – 3
Objectives: The students will be able to define
1. Ask: Who has made everything in the universe? and identify the three different states of matter;
2. Allow for responses and discussion. (God has made solid, liquid, and, gas, and list characteristics
everything in the world.) Read Genesis 1:1-5. of each.
Common Core State Standards:
3. Ask: When a family member cooks or bakes something,
LB.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.1.B
what are some of the different things used? LB.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.4
4. Allow for responses. Display responses in a separate LB.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.2
LB.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.5
column based on if it is a solid, liquid, or gas. LB.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.3
5. Ask students to review the columns. Ask students: What LB.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.4
is alike and different between substances? LB.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.7
LB.ELA-Literacy.SL.2.2
6. Allow for responses and discussion. Display a sample of LB.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.3
a solid, liquid, and gas. Tell students: When God made LB.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.4
everything, it was either a solid, liquid, or gas. LB.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.2
Class Sessions (45 minutes):
7. Distribute States of Matter content pages. Read and review
At least 2 class sessions.
the information with the students. Save the final question
for the lesson closing. Use the additional resources to Teaching Materials/Worksheets:
enhance understanding. States of Matter content pages (2), Activity
page, Practice page, Homework page
8. Distribute Activity page. Read and review the instructions.
Student Supplies:
Distribute the samples to each pair of students. After a few Prepared states of matter to observe and
minutes, the items are rotated to another pair of students examine, handouts
until all items have been observed and recorded by the
Prepare Ahead of Time: Prepare samples of
entire class.
each state of matter. 4 of each, number them
9. Once completed, allow pairs of students to share their from 1 – 12 for use during the activity. Students
responses displaying one item at a time until all 12 have will be working in pairs to complete the activity
chart. Copy handouts.
been discussed.
Options for Lesson: Students may work alone
10. Distribute Practice page. Check and review the students’ for the activity, but more samples will be needed.
responses. Take students outdoors or into other rooms in
the school to identify different states of matter.
11. Distribute the Homework page. Explain to students to
Include other bible passage for students to
include things inside a container. The next day, allow discover examples of solids, liquids, or gases.
students to share items from their list. Randomly ask why The word solid, liquid, or gas is not used in the
an object is a solid, liquid, or gas. bible, discuss this with students.
12. In closing, ask: What do you think God’s favorite solid, *Lessons are aligned to meet the education objectives and goals of
liquid, or gas is? Why? What is your favorite solid, liquid, most states. For more information on your state objectives, contact
your local Board of Education or Department of Education in your state.
or gas? Why?
13. Allow for responses and discussion.

1
 Teacher Notes
The lesson introduces students to basic facts and characteristics about solids liquids and gases. God has created
all matter, substances, minerals, etc. throughout the Universe. Stress the importance of using things for the glory
of God. The lesson does not explore the molecular structure of each, but depending on the level of the class,
this may be done. It is most important that students understand the differences between each state of matter.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

2
States of Matter
God has created everything, including you. However, God did not name
everything He created. The people God created, men, women, and
children, name the different things God has created. God gave people
the power to do the naming of things. For example, if you get a new
pet, you might give it a name.
Scientists have done the same thing with the things God has created.
They have called it matter.
You take up space. Your desk takes up space. Water takes up space.
The air you breathe takes up space. Everything that takes up space has been created by God and is called
matter. Matter is all around you. Some matter you can hold in your hand, but some you cannot, like air. God
is responsible for all the matter in the Universe, whether it is on Earth or somewhere else in space. The source
of all matter comes from God.
All matter comes in three different forms called the states of matter. It can either be a solid, liquid or gas.

Examples
· Has a definite shape
Desk, chair,
· Can be hard, smooth, rough, soft mountain, bread,
SOLID window, tissues,
· All different sizes
paper, car, pencil,
· Usually can be held ice cube, phone,
clothing

Examples
· It is the shape of the container it is Water, milk,
in orange juice,
chocolate
LIQUID · Fills the bottom of a container
syrup, soda,
· Usually a smooth surface cough
medicine,
· Does not have a specific size
vinegar,
cleaning fluids

3
 Examples
· It is invisible and cannot be felt
Oxygen in the air,
· It has no shape or regular size propane gas for
GAS a grill, helium in
· It can fill any size container
a balloon, fumes
· It has no surface and moves easily coming from a car,
gas from an oven

The different descriptions of each will help tell you if an object is a solid, liquid or gas.
In addition, it is difficult to move through a solid, but easier to move through a liquid (like swimming). And
of course, the easiest of all to move through is a gas, like the oxygen in the air. However, there was one
person who could do things with solids, liquids, and gases that humans cannot do.
Normally, you can only walk on things that are solids. However, in Matthew 14:25-30, Jesus begins walking
on water to His disciples in the boat. He easily walked on a liquid. Then, Jesus called to Peter. Peter walked
on the water too because of his faith. Peter, though, became scared and no longer
had the faith to stand on the water, but Jesus came to His rescue and saved him.
It takes strong faith to walk on water or any liquid, but with the faith the “size of
a mustard seed”, a tiny solid, Christ tells everyone mountains can be moved.
God wants you to have faith in Him to guide you in your life. When you fall,
He will always be there to help you. Just have faith.
There are some substances that may be found as a solid, liquid, or gas. Can you find one
in the examples above? If you said water, you are right. Water is a liquid, but if you
freeze water it becomes a solid, and if you boil it, water turns into a vapor or gas.
There are other substances that can be more than one state of matter too. On a
hot summer day when you have an ice cream cone, the ice cream starts out as a
solid, but when it begins to melt, it is turning into a liquid.
A moth ball is a solid used to keep clothes fresh, but it releases a gas into the
air. You can sometimes smell a moth ball on the other side of the room. Another
example can be found in a bakery. The bakery has cakes and cookies, which are
solids, but the aroma from the tasty treats is a gas.
There are many solids, liquids, and gases throughout the world. You will find them
everywhere. God has created everything. He gives us the choice to use all things
for His glory. Whether the thing is a solid, liquid, or gas, use it for God’s glory.

What do you think God’s favorite solid, liquid, or gas is? Why?
What is your favorite solid, liquid, or gas? Why?

4
 Activity Name __________________________ Date _________

Record information about each of the 12 items you and your partner observe.

What state is Describe its size, shape, Why did you choose it as a solid,
Item #
it? texture, other information liquid or gas?

5
 Activity Name __________________________ Date _________

What state is Describe its size, shape, Why did you choose it as a solid,
Item #
it? texture, other information liquid or gas?

10

11

12

6
 Practice Name __________________________ Date _________

Write whether the sentence tells about a solid, liquid or gas. Some may have two answers.
1. It can have a smooth surface.

2. It is invisible and cannot be felt. ___________________________________

3. Most of the time it can be easily held. ___________________________________

4. It can appear in all different sizes. ___________________________________

5. It can fill any size container. ___________________________________

6. It has no shape or regular size. ___________________________________

7. It has a definite shape. ___________________________________

8. It will fill the bottom of a container. ___________________________________

9. It has no surface and moves very easily. ___________________________________

10. It can be hard, smooth, rough, or soft. ___________________________________

11. It is the shape of the container it is in. ___________________________________

12. It is very difficult to move through this type of matter. ___________________________________

13. It is the easiest type of matter to move through. ___________________________________

14. When ice cream melts it turns into this type of matter. ___________________________________

15. Car, pencil, and clothing is this type of matter. ___________________________________

16. Oxygen, helium, and fumes from a car is this type of matter. ___________________________________

17. Soda, juice, milk, and vinegar is this type of matter. ___________________________________

7
 Practice Name __________________________ Date _________

Read Genesis 1:1-31. Write in things from the passage and tell whether it is a solid, liquid, gas, or
a combination, and tell why.

Thing Solid Liquid Gas Why?

Earth

Waters

Firmament

Land

Seas

Grass

Herb

Seed

Fruit

Stars

Fowl

Whales

Cattle

Male

Female

Fish

Air

Meat

8
 Homework Name __________________________ Date _________

With a parent, walk through your home writing down examples of solids, liquids, and gases.

Solids Liquids Gases

With a parent, identify each item as a solid, liquid or gas and how to use it for God’s glory.

Item Solid Liquid Gas How can you use it for God’s glory?

Helium

Money

Water

Ice cubes

Cough syrup

Oxygen

9
 Practice Answer Key
Name __________________________ Date _________

Write whether the sentence tells about a solid, liquid or gas. Some may have two answers.
1. It can have a smooth surface. Solid, liquid
2. It is invisible and cannot be felt. Gas
3. Most of the time it can be easily held. Solid
4. It can appear in all different sizes. Solid, liquid
5. It can fill any size container. Gas, liquid
6. It has no shape or regular size. Gas
7. It has a definite shape. Solid
8. It will fill the bottom of a container. Liquid
9. It has no surface and moves very easily. Gas
10. It can be hard, smooth, rough, or soft. Solid
11. It is the shape of the container it is in. Liquid
12. It is very difficult to move through this type of matter. Solid
13. It is the easiest type of matter to move through. Gas
14. When ice cream melts it turns into this type of matter. Liquid
15. Car, pencil, and clothing is this type of matter. Solid
16. Oxygen, helium, and fumes from a car is this type of matter. Gas
17. Soda, juice, milk, and vinegar is this type of matter. Liquid

10
 Practice Answer Key
Name __________________________ Date _________

Read Genesis 1:1-31. Write in things from the passage and tell whether it is a solid, liquid, gas, or
a combination, and tell why.

Thing Solid Liquid Gas Why?

Earth X X X The earth includes different substances.

Waters X Water is a liquid because it has no shape

Firmament X It is a space or the sky which is made of gases.

Land X May include soil and rocks

Seas X The seas are made up of water, no specific shape

Grass X Has a definite shape, can be held

Herb X Has a definite shape and can be held

Seed X Has a definite shape and can be held

Fruit X X Has definite shape, but liquid inside

Stars X X Stars are composed of solids and gases

Fowl X Birds are solids and can be held, has specific shape

Whales X X Whales can be held, have liquid inside

Cattle X X Cattle can be held, have liquid inside, like milk

Male X X X All three, includes oxygen in lungs

Female X X X All three, includes oxygen in lungs

Fish X X Has definite shape, water inside its body

Air X Made up of gases like oxygen, invisible

Meat X Definite shape

11
 Homework Answer Key
Name __________________________ Date _________

With a parent, walk through your home writing down examples of solids, liquids, and gases.

Solids Liquids Gases

Will vary

With a parent, identify each item as a solid, liquid or gas and how to use it for God’s glory.

Item Solid Liquid Gas How can you use it for God’s glory?

Purchase helium filled balloons to give to someone in a hospital to lift their

Money X Donate money to those in need. Spend money wisely.

Clean the church using water, offer a drink to someone who is thirsty, water for
Water X
plants.

On a hot day, use them to help a person cool off, give ice to someone to help a
Ice cubes X
headache.

Cough syrup X Use it for helping heal yourself or others.

Oxygen X Plant trees to increase the amount of oxygen in the air.

12