Fifth grade students will enjoy a taste of chemistry this year as they develop a deeper understanding of physical and chemical changes in matter. Students will experiment with and identify the differences between mixtures and solutions. All of these activities involve accurate measurement using different scientific tools including a balance scale, graduated cylinder, pipette, thermometer, ruler and beaker.
What You Can Do at Home
Activities
Here is a project that will help your child understand the most important concepts about heat. The project is easy, fast,and fun. Take a coat hanger and untwist the hook. Take the untwisted coat hanger wire and bend it in the same spot over and over, about 20 times. Now carefully feel the spot where the coat hanger was bending. Ask your child what the energy put into the coat hanger wire was converted to. Discuss with your child what other forms of energy are converted into heat (one example may be how light bulb changes to heat energy).© Scott Foresman 6
Websites
Scholastic Studyjams: Mixtures
Learn how mixtures are made of two or more objects that can by physically separated.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/matter/mixtures.htm
Scholastic Studyjams: Physical and Chemical Changes in Matter
Watch this video to learn the difference between physical and chemical changes.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/matter/changes-of-matter.htm
Scholastic Studyjams: Heat - Watch the video to experience how heat affects molecules in matter.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/energy-light-sound/heat.htm
Chem4Kids.com: Mixtures and Solutions
This site is an excellent resource and explains, using illustrations and text, the difference between a mixture and solution.
http://www.chem4kids.com/files/matter_solution.html
Suggested Reading
Heat Fundamentals by Robert W. Wood. Experiments on heat with explanations and additional facts.
Mixtures and Solutions (Why Chemistry Matters) by Molly Aloian. Simple introduction to mixtures and solutions from everyday life.
What You Can Do at Home
Activities
Here is a project that will help your child understand the most important concepts about heat. The project is easy, fast,and fun. Take a coat hanger and untwist the hook. Take the untwisted coat hanger wire and bend it in the same spot over and over, about 20 times. Now carefully feel the spot where the coat hanger was bending. Ask your child what the energy put into the coat hanger wire was converted to. Discuss with your child what other forms of energy are converted into heat (one example may be how light bulb changes to heat energy).© Scott Foresman 6
Websites
Scholastic Studyjams: Mixtures
Learn how mixtures are made of two or more objects that can by physically separated.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/matter/mixtures.htm
Scholastic Studyjams: Physical and Chemical Changes in Matter
Watch this video to learn the difference between physical and chemical changes.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/matter/changes-of-matter.htm
Scholastic Studyjams: Heat - Watch the video to experience how heat affects molecules in matter.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/energy-light-sound/heat.htm
Chem4Kids.com: Mixtures and Solutions
This site is an excellent resource and explains, using illustrations and text, the difference between a mixture and solution.
http://www.chem4kids.com/files/matter_solution.html
Suggested Reading
Heat Fundamentals by Robert W. Wood. Experiments on heat with explanations and additional facts.
Mixtures and Solutions (Why Chemistry Matters) by Molly Aloian. Simple introduction to mixtures and solutions from everyday life.