Compare & Contrast Matter Activities for 5th Grade Science

Aligned with TEKS 5.6A, this 5E lesson helps 5th-grade students classify matter based on physical properties such as mass, magnetism, relative density, physical state, volume, solubility, and conductivity of thermal and electric energy. It features engaging activities like a hands-on lab with nine multimodal stations, demonstrations, reading passages, research tasks, videos, and creative projects. Editable PowerPoints, worksheets, interactive notebook templates, and STAAR 2.0-aligned assessments support differentiated, student-led learning. This versatile resource is designed for both in-class and virtual learning environments. The resources below will give students a comprehensive understanding of the physical properties of matter. All of the following materials are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

The Kesler Science 5E Lesson on comparing and contrasting matter is a comprehensive physical science unit for 5th grade, aligned with the 2021 TEKS 5.6A standard. It focuses on classifying matter based on measurable, testable, and observable physical properties such as mass, magnetism, relative density, physical state, volume, solubility, and conductivity of thermal and electric energy. The lesson offers editable PowerPoints, worksheets, assessments, and student-choice projects designed for differentiated, student-led learning with minimal prep.

Following the 5E Model, the lesson includes engaging activities, a hands-on exploration lab with nine multimodal stations, and differentiated materials in English and Spanish. Students engage through demonstrations, reading passages, research tasks, videos, and creative outputs like writing and drawing. Editable interactive notebook templates and note-taking tools support the explanation phase, while choice projects deepen understanding during elaboration. Assessments are STAAR 2.0-aligned for evaluation. This versatile resource is suitable for both in-class and virtual learning environments.

Engage your 5th-grade class with this student-led station lab aligned with the 2021 TEKS 5.6A standard. This interactive lesson guides students in comparing and contrasting matter based on measurable, testable, or observable physical properties through nine engaging stations designed for independent or small-group work.

The station lab features a mix of input and output activities that promote critical thinking and active learning. Input stations introduce key concepts through hands-on exploration, videos, readings, and research tasks covering mass, density, magnetism, conductivity, and physical state. Output stations allow students to demonstrate understanding by organizing information, illustrating concepts, writing responses, and completing assessments. A bonus challenge station offers extension activities like crosswords, games, and mini-projects for early finishers.

This versatile, low-prep resource supports both in-class and virtual learning, encouraging students to take charge of their own educational journey while fostering engagement and deeper comprehension of physical science concepts.

The Compare & Contrast Matter Student Choice Projects align with the 2021 TEKS standard 5.6A, giving 5th graders the opportunity to choose a project that matches their preferred output style. A project page outlines six student-led options plus a “design your own” project, all supported by an editable rubric for teacher, peer, or self-assessment. This resource is also part of the Compare & Contrast Matter Complete Lesson for TEKS 5.6A.

These flexible projects allow teachers to adjust the rubric to meet grading needs and offer creative, personalized ways for students to demonstrate understanding. Two versions of the project page support differentiation, with modified options for students needing remediation and more challenging options for advanced learners.

The resource includes nine project options plus a “design your own” project, a teacher directions page for guidance, and editable rubric pages that assess vocabulary, concepts, presentation, clarity, and accuracy. Projects are designed for completion with standard classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, with many options available for digital submission.

The Classifying Matter Science and ELA Integrated Writing Activity is designed for 5th-grade students to creatively showcase their understanding of the physical properties of matter through a commercial-writing exercise. This engaging activity strengthens science reasoning and writing skills while supporting both in-person and virtual learning environments. Aligned with TEKS, it helps students classify matter based on measurable, testable, and observable properties such as mass, magnetism, physical state, relative density, solubility, and the ability to conduct or insulate thermal or electric energy.

This low-prep, student-centered resource includes teacher directions with an answer guide, project ideas, and rubrics. It offers full-sized and half-sheet handouts for easy integration into interactive notebooks, as well as a digital PowerPoint version compatible with Google Slides for flexible learning. Ideal for cross-curricular activities, pre-test assessments, early finisher enrichment, extra credit, or differentiation, this writing prompt also works well for TELPAS samples or make-up work. Completed projects can be displayed on bulletin boards or collected into student anthologies for a creative showcase of learning.

WIKI Tickets© formative assessments are a fun and engaging way to check student understanding of physical science concepts for 3rd–5th grade. This set includes 37 assessments, each available in five formats: a full-screen projection version, three printable handout sizes, and an interactive digital version compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides. Designed to align with NGSS and TEKS standards, every standard is covered with at least one ticket, and some topics include multiple assessments for deeper exploration. A helpful table of contents is also included to show the alignment with specific standards.

These assessments cover a wide range of topics, including forces and motion, forms and transfers of energy, states and properties of matter, electrical circuits, magnetism, gravity, and waves. Additional concepts such as conservation of mass, mixtures and solutions, reflection and refraction, and the Sun’s energy are also addressed. WIKI Tickets© can be used as exit tickets, bellringers, or quick comprehension checks and are adaptable for in-person, 1:1 digital, or virtual learning environments. Whether projected, printed, or assigned digitally, they offer a flexible, ready-to-use tool for assessing student progress.

Year-Round Resources

These year-round activities will increase your students' understanding of many middle school science topics. All of these activities are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Visual Data & Graphing

You're not alone if your students struggle with understanding graphs, charts, and tables. It's a skill that takes an enormous amount of practice. This resource will help students build a strong foundation in analyzing data and creating their own data visualizations.

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Bell Ringers and Warm-Ups

These middle school science bell ringers are an excellent way to engage your students as soon as they walk into your classroom. This comprehensive FULL YEAR resource includes everything you need to start off each science class with an interesting warm-up activity.

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Review Board Games

Each game board has been carefully designed to keep students engaged. There are 10 different action spaces on each board and dozens of question cards. All of the actions are related to science concepts and keep the students motivated throughout the game.

Each game is ready to play. Simply print out the board and the cards and let the students enjoy reviewing nine different units.

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Essential Questions and Standards

Below are the essential questions and standards associated with the lessons and activities included in the atoms unit. This topic is only one of more than 100 middle school science topics included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Essential Questions

What are physical properties of matter?
How can we compare and contrast matter based on physical properties?

Standards

TEKS Science - 5.6A Compare & Contrast Matter