Matter | Small Group
In this 15-minute small-group lesson, students review the basic idea of matter and connect it to biological systems by identifying examples of matter in living things and explaining that all living things are made of matter.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Matter | Anything that has mass and takes up space. |
| Mass | The amount of matter in an object. |
| Volume | The amount of space an object takes up. |
| Organism | A living thing. |
Ask students to name one thing in the room and decide whether it is matter. Record a few responses and remind students that matter has mass and takes up space.
Share examples from the classroom and give a quick yes/no response about whether each item is matter.
Explain that all living things are made of matter. Use simple examples such as water in plants, bones in animals, and cells in all organisms. Point to a plant or picture and ask where matter is found.
Listen, answer simple questions, and point out parts of living things that are matter.
Give each group 4-6 cards or objects/images. Ask groups to sort them into 'living' and 'nonliving' and then circle the ones that are matter. Circulate and support groups as needed.
Work together to sort the examples and identify which items are matter.
Ask each group to share one living thing and one nonliving thing that are both matter. Clarify any misunderstandings quickly.
Report one example and explain why it is matter.
Restate the key idea: all living things are made of matter. Hand out exit tickets with one short prompt.
Write a one-sentence response on the exit ticket.
Review the main idea: matter is anything that has mass and takes up space, and all living things are made of matter.
Formative assessment through group discussion, sorting accuracy, teacher questioning, and the exit ticket response.
Find three examples of matter at home, including one living thing, and write one sentence explaining why each example is matter.