Lesson Plan
Magic of Matter Lesson Plan
Students will identify and explore the properties of solids, liquids, and gases through hands-on sorting and interactive activities, building foundational science vocabulary and observation skills.
Early exposure to the three states of matter sparks curiosity and develops critical thinking, language, and observational skills in Pre-K learners, laying groundwork for future science learning.
Audience
Pre-K Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Hands-on stations and interactive games.
Materials
- Matter Sorting Mats, - Solid-Liquid-Gas Explorer Cards, - Water in Clear Cups, - Ice Cubes, and - Bubble Wand and Solution
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print and cut out Matter Sorting Mats and Solid-Liquid-Gas Explorer Cards.
- Fill clear cups with water and place ice cubes in one cup.
- Pour bubble solution into a shallow container and set out bubble wands.
- Arrange three exploration stations around the room (solids, liquids, gases).
- Review the Magic of Matter Lesson Plan to familiarize yourself with each activity and transition.
Step 1
Introduction to Matter
5 minutes
- Gather children on a rug or circle time area.
- Show one solid (toy block), one liquid (water cup), and one gas example (blowing bubbles).
- Ask: “What do you notice about each? How are they the same or different?”
- Introduce vocabulary: solid, liquid, gas.
Step 2
Station Exploration
15 minutes
- Divide students into three small groups.
- Rotate groups every 5 minutes through each station:
- Solids Station: Use Matter Sorting Mats to sort objects by hardness, shape, size.
- Liquids Station: Pour and measure water in clear cups; discuss how it fills containers.
- Gases Station: Use bubble wand and solution to blow bubbles; observe shape and movement.
- At each station, prompt with Solid-Liquid-Gas Explorer Cards questions.
Step 3
Group Game & Reflection
5 minutes
- Reconvene on the rug.
- Play a quick sorting game: hold up an object or card and have children call out “solid,” “liquid,” or “gas.”
- Use thumbs-up/thumbs-down signals for affirmation and support.
Step 4
Closing & Assessment
5 minutes
- Ask each child to share their favorite activity and one thing they learned about matter.
- Observe and note each student’s responses to gauge understanding and plan follow-up.
- Praise all contributions and reinforce the vocabulary solid, liquid, and gas.
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Slide Deck
Magic of Matter
Exploring Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Welcome everyone! Today we’re going to learn about the Magic of Matter. We will explore three states—solids, liquids, and gases—through fun, hands-on activities. Get ready to touch, pour, and blow bubbles!
What Is Matter?
• Everything around us is made of matter.
• Matter can be a SOLID, LIQUID, or GAS.
Gather the children in a circle. Show a toy block, a cup of water, and blow a bubble. Ask: “What do you notice about each? How are they alike? How are they different?” Introduce the words SOLID, LIQUID, and GAS.
Station Exploration
Rotate through:
• Solids Station: Sort objects by hardness, shape, size
• Liquids Station: Pour and measure water
• Gases Station: Blow bubbles and watch them float
Explain that we have three exploration stations. Divide into small groups. Each group will spend 5 minutes at a station, then rotate. Use the Matter Sorting Mats and Explorer Cards to guide observations.
Group Sorting Game
I will show an object or card.
Call out: “SOLID,” “LIQUID,” or “GAS!”
Bring everyone back to the circle. Hold up different objects or cards. Have children call out “solid,” “liquid,” or “gas.” Use thumbs-up/thumbs-down to confirm answers. Keep it fast and fun!
Share & Review
Share your favorite activity and one thing you learned about matter.
Ask each child to share their favorite station and one new thing they learned about matter. Listen and note understanding. Praise all contributions and reinforce vocabulary.
Worksheet
Matter Sorting Mats
Cut out the pictures below and paste them into the correct section. After pasting, draw one of your own examples for each state of matter.
Solids
Liquids
Gases
Cut and Paste: Pictures
Cut along the dotted lines, then paste each picture above in the correct section. Color the pictures if you like!
• Rock • Water Drop • Ice Cube
• Juice Box • Bubble • Balloon
Draw Your Own
Solids: ____________________________
Liquids: ____________________________
Gases: ____________________________
Activity
Solid-Liquid-Gas Explorer Cards
Cut out these cards and take one to each station. Read the prompt, talk with a friend or teacher, and make observations!
Solid Cards
Card 1:
• Pick up a solid object. How does it feel? Is it hard or soft?
Card 2:
• What shape is the solid? Can you find another object with the same shape?
Card 3:
• Try to change the solid. Can you bend, squish, or break it? What happened?
Liquid Cards
Card 1:
• Pour the liquid from one cup to another. What do you notice? Does it hold a shape?
Card 2:
• Scoop the liquid with a spoon. Can you pick it up? Why or why not?
Card 3:
• Move the container. How does the liquid move? Does it fill the bottom first?
Gas Cards
Card 1:
• Blow bubbles with the wand. Watch them float. Can you see the gas? How do you know it’s there?
Card 2:
• Wave your hand in front of the bubble. What happens to the bubbles? Why do you think that is?
Card 3:
• Imagine a smell (like popcorn). If the smell floats, is that a gas? How does it travel?
When you finish a card, share your observations with the group before moving on to the next one!
Warm Up
Bubble Pop Warm Up
Objective
Get ready to explore gases by blowing and popping bubbles! This quick activity will help Pre-K students notice how gases move and feel excited for today’s lesson on matter.
Materials
- Bubble wand
- Bubble solution in a shallow container
Procedure (5 minutes)
- Gather students in a circle on the carpet.
- Show the bubble wand and explain: “Today we will start by looking at a gas—bubbles!”
- Dip the wand into the solution and blow one big bubble.
• Ask: “What do you see? How does the bubble move through the air?” - Pass the wand (or let each child try) to blow a small bubble.
• Encourage them to say “pop!” when the bubble bursts. - Prompt discussion:
• “Why do you think the bubble popped?”
• “Where did the bubble go?” - Have children gently wave their hands to guide bubbles—observe how the gas moves with their motion.
Reflection & Drawing
Ask students to draw their favorite bubble moment: what it looked like or how it felt to pop it.
Draw your bubble here:
Great work! Now we’re ready to learn more about solids, liquids, and gases in our Magic of Matter lesson.
Cool Down
Matter Museum Cool Down
Curator Creation
Pretend you are a museum curator. Choose one of each: a solid, liquid, and gas you explored today. You can use cut-out pictures from Matter Sorting Mats or draw your own.
Solid Case:
Liquid Case:
Gas Case:
Share & Reflect
- Show your museum to a friend and say: “This is a ____ because ____.”
- What was your favorite thing to learn about today?
One new word I learned: ________