Summary Activities which showcase particles, the building blocks of matter. Science content Chemistry: Atoms, Molecules (3-7) Activities in this lesson Baking soda and vinegar Rocket powered by baking soda and vinegar Soda drink Popcorn States of matter: acting them out Candle chemistry (and fossil fuel combustion) Molecule modelling free play Epsom salt crystal painting Molecules moving in warm and cold water Procedure Do a selection of the activities. Molecules moving in warm and cold water shows how particles move and mix. Epsom salt crystal painting is a good visual for particles changing state and moving apart. Make popcorn, understand the changes in state of the water molecules.Act out the molecules in making popcorn. Baking soda and vinegar is a familiar reaction which can be modelled with molecule models. Set off a rocket with the same chemical reaction. Make a soda drink with the same chemical reaction, this time between the sour(ish) orange juice and baking powder. Burn a candle, model the chemical reaction of combustion with molecule models. Use to discuss the burning of fossil fuels putting CO2 into the air. Use molecular modelling free play to fill any time. Grades taught Gr 3 Gr 4 Gr 5
