II. PHYSICAL SCIENCE TOPICS

1. Motion of Objects
2. Energy
3. Properties of Matter
4. Changes in Matter

Additional Sites for Physical Science

1. Teaching Units / Lesson Plans
2. Student Activities / Projects / Interactive Sites
3. Information / Facts / Data / Reports
4. Videos / Movies / Animations
5. Photographs / Slides / Diagrams / Graphics
6. Periodicals / Journals / Newspapers
7. Searches / Explorations / Investigations
8. Physical Science Topics for Teachers

Elementary

1. "All objects and substances have physical properties."
   1. BBC Science: Characteristics of materials
      On this site children will investigate the characteristics of serveral materials for strength, flexibility, transperency, and absorption. An interactive quiz is included..
   2. BBC Science: Grouping and Changing Materials
      On this site children will sort several everyday objets according to the material they are made from. The exercise asks several question and an online quiz is included.
   3. BBC Science: Sorting and Using Materials
      This is an interactive site that gives students the chance to investigate the physical properties of materials by investigating whether they are waterproof or bendable. An online quiz is included.
   4. Chem4Kids
      Resource subject material for teachers.
   5. Classroom Connections 1
      This lesson plan contains instructional objectives, outline of content, list of materials, instructions, active participation, independent practice and enrichment for measuring temperature ( heat energy) of objects and materials.
   6. Dr. Polly's Hands on Science
      Interesting hands-on experiments for the classroom using around-the-house materials. Students can observe changes in matter with everyday items.
   7. Quia! Properties of Matter
      This interactive student activity reviews vocabulary covered while studying "properties of matter" using games such as: Flash cards, Matching, Concentration, Word Search. Good activities! Grade 4 applicable.
   8. Science Bob Homemade Slime
      A recipe for making "slime" from household ingredients demonstrating how unique a POLYMER is because it has qualities of both a solid and a liquid.  Science Bob includes many actiivities and teacher followup lessons for electricity, insects, matter, minerals, seeds, etc.  This is an excellent site for planets, earth and space-body  systems, etc.
2. "Matter exists in several different states: solids, liquids and gases. Each state of matter has unique physical properties.Gases are easily compressed but liquids and solids do not compress easily. Solids have their own particular shapes, but liquids and gases take the shape of the container."
   1. BBC Science: Changing State
      This site allows children to explore the differences between a solid and liquid change of state in water. A quiz is included.
   2. BBC Science: Gases Around Us
      This site allows children to explore the concepts of evaporation and condensation interactively. Another page gives children the chance to identify common objects as solids, liquids, or gases.
   3. BBC Science: Reversible and Irreversible Change
      This site allows students to investigate reversible and irreversible changes in matter. It includes melting, freezing, mixing, and seperating several substances into component parts.
   4. BBC Science: Solids and Liquids
      This site gives students the chance to find the boiling point and room temperatures of various objects. A quiz is included.
   5. Brain Pop - States of Matter
      Students can view a movie and/or take an interactive quiz on States of Matter.
   6. Chem4Kids This site provides links to information about changes in matter that address this expectation, but it offers other sites with excellent information in the chemistry and biochemistry areas. Although it is not interactive, it presents the information in an interesting and colorful way.
   7. Phases of Matter
      This site shows the change in motion of molecules in three different materials as the temperature changes. It shows the temperature of the material and the corresponding state of each material.
   8. ReviseWise Science: Solids, Liquids, and Gases
      Great. This site that allows the students to click through animated information windows that teach the basics of the three states of matter. Tests and worksheets for the activity as also available.
   9. ReviseWise Science: Changes in Matter
      This is a great site that allows the students to click through animated information windows that teach the basics of changes in matter. Tests and worksheets for the activity as also available.
   10. Science Bob Experiments: Rock Candy
       An activity/experiment that dissolves sugar in hot water and forms edible crystals on a paper clip. Includes discussion of saturated solutions and precipitation. Requires adult supervision because of hot water.
3. "Objects vary to the extent they absorb and reflect light energy and conduct heat and electricity."
   1. Amazing Space: Star Light Star Bright
      This site offers several links to activities and information about space, but the Star Light Star Bright link will take the students to four activities that help them see, among other things, the connection between the color of a star and how hot the star is. There are several good interactive links on this one site.
   2. BBC Science: Light and Dark
      This is an interactive site for lower elementary that helps reinfoce the concept of light and darkness. Children are encouraged to identify sources of light. An online quiz is included.
   3. BBC Science: Keeping Warm
      This site allows students to observe and experiment with the properties of several matherials to serve as a conductor or insulator. A quiz is included.
   4. Insulators and Conductors
      A student activity/experiment that tests electrical conductivity of various materials using a small battery. This lesson is not interactive, but is a great printble project for classroom experiments.
4. "Some objects are composed of a single substance, while other objects are composed of more than one substance."
   1. Glitter Globe
      This activity allows students to mix rubbing alcohol and vegetable oil into a tall skinny jar.  Small objects such as beads, sequins, glitter, or other shiny things are added to the mixture.  Food coloring may be added to enchance the affects.
   2. Outrageous Ooze
      This activity combinds cornstarch, food coloring and water.  The site has a great explanation of why the mixture reacts the why it does.  Make sure you have plenty of newspaper on hand and a good surface to play on.  You might want to have the students wear old clothes.  Allow plenty of time for fun.
   3. Salt Volcanoe
      Students will need salt, water, and food coloring to add to a jar.  The result are a simple version of a lava lamp.  A good explanation is included in the site.
   4. Science Resources
      This website provides over twenty interactive activities for grades 2 and up. Teacher lesson plans and resources are also available.
5. "Describe patterns of interaction of magnetic materials with other magnetic and non-magnetic materials.".
   1. BBC Science: Magnets and Springs
      This site allows students to test several objects to determine their properties of magnetism. A quiz concludes the activity.
   2. Curricular Connections - Electricity/Magnetism
      This lesson plan contains a list of materials, set, instruction, closure, enrichment for teaching north and south poles, repel and attract, line of force, electromagnets and uses of magnets. To find the material, scroll down to 4B4 in 4th grade.
   3. IPPEX Interactive
      This site explains the magnetic poles and mentions the magnetic compass. A small activity is provided for students to complete with materials that you supply.
   4. Revisewise Science: Magnetism
      This is a great site that allows the students to click through animated information windows that teach the basics of magnetism. Tests and worksheets for the activity as also available.