Properties of Matter Activities for 5th Grade Science

The Kesler Science Properties of Matter 5E Lesson is a comprehensive chemistry unit designed to help elementary students investigate how to identify substances by their properties. It includes editable PowerPoints, worksheets, student-choice projects, and assessments, with Spanish translations for key materials. Aligned with NGSS 5-PS1-3 and 2017 TEKS standards, this flexible, low-prep lesson supports differentiated, student-led learning both in-person and virtually.

Students explore properties of matter through a hands-on, multimodal station lab with nine activities including experiments, readings, videos, research tasks, and creative output stations like card sorts, writing prompts, and drawings. Editable PowerPoints and interactive notebook templates guide student learning during explanation, while student-choice projects provide opportunities for elaboration. Assessment tools and STAAR 2.0-aligned questions allow for meaningful evaluation. Built on the 5E Model, this lesson engages students through activities, inquiry, and collaboration while giving teachers the flexibility to adapt for diverse learning needs.

Engage your 5th grade students with this modular, student-led station lab focused on exploring the properties of matter. Aligned for in-class or virtual learning, this lesson invites students to make observations and measurements to identify materials, while allowing teachers to facilitate rather than direct instruction. The lab includes eight differentiated activities and a ninth challenge station for early finishers, providing a flexible, student-centered learning experience with minimal prep required.

Students encounter new concepts through multimodal input stations, including hands-on experiments, research tasks, readings in English and Spanish, and video analysis. They then demonstrate their understanding at output stations by organizing information, drawing models, writing responses, and completing assessments. A bonus "Challenge It!" station offers games, crosswords, and mini-projects to extend learning for advanced students. All necessary signage, resources, and task cards are included, and a digital version ensures the activity is ready for both in-person and virtual classrooms.

This differentiated, comprehensive resource encourages active engagement, critical thinking, and creativity, helping students deepen their understanding of matter in a format that supports independent and collaborative learning.

The Properties of Matter Student Choice Projects offer 5th grade students flexible, creative ways to demonstrate their understanding of physical science concepts. Students choose from nine project options, including a “design your own” choice, with guidance provided through a teacher directions page and editable rubrics for assessment by teachers, peers, or themselves. Two differentiated versions of the project page are included to support students who need remediation or additional challenge, allowing teachers to customize the experience without needing separate grading tools.

Designed for easy implementation, these projects primarily use standard classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, though many options can also be completed digitally. The multimodal project choices encourage students to personalize their learning while building skills in vocabulary, concepts, presentation, clarity, and accuracy. This resource promotes student ownership, creativity, and differentiated learning opportunities in the science classroom.

The 5th Grade Physical Science Interactive Notebook is an essential resource for teachers looking to enhance student engagement in elementary physical science. This comprehensive set includes both print and digital versions, making it adaptable for traditional classrooms, 1:1 environments, and distance learning.  

The digital version features a unique interactive notebook PowerPoint that can be uploaded to Google Slides and shared via MS Teams, Schoology, or Canvas. It includes reflection pages for comprehension, space for student notes, a teacher answer key, and a modified version for students with accommodations. The paper version provides blank interactive notebook templates, pre-filled templates for students needing modifications or who were absent, and color photos demonstrating template use.  

Topics covered include particles of matter, conservation of mass, properties of matter, formation of new substances, gravitational force, the Sun’s energy, classifying matter, mixtures, solutions, uses of energy, closed circuits, reflection and refraction, and testing forces.  

These interactive notebook templates are also available in the Kesler Science 5E Lessons, which include presentations, notes, homework, student projects, station labs, assessments, and engagement activities.