Content Focus: Properties and Measurements of Matter

This sub-area focuses on descriptive properties that characterize matter such as texture and hardness, as well as the quantitative properties such as mass and volume. Behaviors of different types of matter can be explained by their properties. This area also addresses the description of solids, liquids, and gases based on properties of matter. Measurements of weight and volume of different materials are included in this characterization. (Boundary: In grades K-5, mass and weight are not distinguished.)
This sub-area is typically explored in the context of planning and carrying out investigations involving observations and measurements of properties of different kinds of materials. The investigation plan may involve observing materials at different temperatures. This sub-area also includes using tools and methods to collect the data. In grades K-2, the focus is on recognizing patterns in the observable properties of materials, and describing and classifying objects or materials based on shared properties. For example, solids have definite shapes and liquids take the shape of their container. In grades 3-5, some properties may be measured, such as weight and volume, in standard metric units (grams and liters), while other are observed qualitatively, such as conductivity and reflectivity. The collected data can serve as evidence for identifying materials. For example, a metal spoon and a plastic spoon made to look like metal can be distinguished by how they conduct heat, the sound they make when dropped, and relative mass.
Key Content Ideas (K-2)
• There are different states of matter (e.g., solids and liquids) with observable properties.
Key Content Ideas (3-5)
• Materials’ behaviors can be evidenced by the properties
• Materials can be described based on their properties
• Measures of volume and mass can be used to describe and identify and characterize types of matter