Particles of Matter Activities for 5th Grade Science

Transform lesson planning into a breeze with the Kesler Science Particles of Matter 5th Grade Complete 5E Lesson. Packed with ready-to-go materials, this comprehensive lesson ensures your students are actively engaged and learning while saving you prep time. The lesson promotes student-led exploration, so you can focus on fostering real understanding.

Students will tackle essential questions such as, "What is matter made of?" and "How are the three states of matter different from each other?" The 5E Model (Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, and Evaluation) guides students through this topic with a range of differentiated activities to accommodate various learning styles.

From vocabulary cards and interactive notebooks to engaging station labs and editable PowerPoints, this lesson offers flexible formats for in-class or virtual learning. Spanish translations are included, along with multimodal resources like videos, hands-on experiments, reading passages, and digital activities, ensuring all students stay engaged and challenged.

The Kesler Science Particles of Matter Station Lab is an engaging, student-led activity that teaches 5th graders about the particles that make up matter. This modular station lab gives students the opportunity to lead their own learning, while teachers save valuable prep time. Students will create models to explain that matter is made of particles too small to be seen.

The lab includes eight differentiated activities, with a ninth challenge station for advanced students. Each of the nine stations is designed for independent or small group work and provides all the materials needed, including signage, resources, and task cards. Stations require minimal additional materials, most of which are likely already available in the classroom.

With multimodal activities such as hands-on experiments, reading, research, and videos, the lab engages students in diverse ways. Output stations encourage students to demonstrate their understanding through drawing, writing, and organizing, while the Challenge It! station offers extension activities for early finishers. The station lab is designed for both in-person and virtual learning environments.

The Kesler Science Particles of Matter Student Choice Projects offer 5th grade students the opportunity to select from six project options or create their own. With a grading rubric for teacher, peer, or self-assessment, these flexible projects cater to diverse student needs and allow for creative expression. 

Designed to be adaptable, these projects offer nine choice board options and a “design your own” project. Teachers can modify the rubric to meet specific grading criteria, and the materials are easily accessible with basic classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, with many projects available digitally.

Differentiated for a variety of learners, the project options include a modified version to support students needing remediation, while more advanced students can combine projects for a greater challenge. These student-led projects encourage personalized learning and foster independent thinking.

The Kesler Science Physical Science Interactive Notebook bundle engages elementary students in 13 essential physical science topics with both print and digital formats. This versatile resource supports traditional classrooms, 1:1 environments, and distance learning, ensuring all students can actively participate.  

The digital version includes an interactive PowerPoint that can be uploaded to Google Slides and various LMS platforms, with reflection pages, note-taking spaces, teacher answer keys, and a modified version for accommodations. The paper version provides blank and pre-filled templates, along with color photos for guidance.  

Topics range from properties of matter and energy use to gravitational force and circuits. Whether used for interactive learning, differentiation, or student reflection, this notebook bundle makes science more engaging and accessible.