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Science lesson plan · 2nd grade (Year 3 in England) · 30 minutes

What happens when we cool it?

States of matter

CCSS NGSS.2-PS1-4England: KS1 Y2 Uses of everyday materialsEngland: KS2 Y4 States of matter

Objective and success criteria

Students will: What happens when we cool it?.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Heating and cooling: can the change be undone?

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Ice, water and a kettle (teacher demo), Particle diagrams, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Heating and cooling: can the change be undone?). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Can this change be undone: toasting bread? (can change back / cannot change back) → cannot change backPrompt: Could you get the starting material back by warming it or cooling it?
  2. Three of these changes CANNOT be undone. Which one is different? (butter softening in a warm kitchen / toasting bread / popping popcorn / burning a log on a fire) → butter softening in a warm kitchenPrompt: Think about melting and freezing versus cooking and burning.
  3. Clay is shaped into a pot and baked in a very hot kiln. Can it go back to soft clay if you add water? (Yes, if you put it in the freezer. / Yes, straight away. / Yes, if you shake it. / No, firing changes it for good.) → No, firing changes it for good.Prompt: Bricks and mugs are fired clay. Do they go soft in the rain?

Hook · 3 min

  • Show an ice cube melting and a kettle steaming and ask what is the same and what is different.
  • Share the objective: What happens when we cool it?. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: What happens when this cools down: hot candle wax left to cool?
  • Step 1: So the answer is: turns back into solid wax
  • Answer: turns back into solid wax
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. What happens when this cools down: steam hitting a cold window? (sets into a wobbly solid / turns into water droplets / turns back into solid wax / becomes an ice lolly (popsicle)) → turns into water dropletsPrompt: Cooling often turns liquids into solids, and gases into liquids.
  2. A cold drink can has drops of water on the outside on a warm day. Where did they come from? (Water vapour in the air cooled on the can and turned into droplets. / The drink leaked through the metal. / It rained on the can indoors. / The can is sweating like a person.) → Water vapour in the air cooled on the can and turned into droplets.Prompt: Air has invisible water vapour in it.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. What happens when this cools down: hot candle wax left to cool? (sets into a wobbly solid / freezes into ice / turns into water droplets / turns back into solid wax) → turns back into solid waxPrompt: Cooling often turns liquids into solids, and gases into liquids.
  2. Why does a bathroom mirror steam up after a hot shower? (Warm, damp air cools on the mirror and forms tiny water drops. / Soap sticks to the mirror. / The mirror is melting. / Light turns into water.) → Warm, damp air cools on the mirror and forms tiny water drops.Prompt: Is the mirror warmer or cooler than the steamy air?

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Heating and cooling: can the change be undone?.
  • Use concrete materials: ice, water and a kettle (teacher demo).
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-2.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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What happens when we cool it?

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    True or false? Melted chocolate sets hard again when it cools.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  2. Question 2

    What happens when this cools down: warm jelly mix in the fridge?

    • A. becomes an ice lolly (popsicle)
    • B. turns into water droplets
    • C. sets into a wobbly solid
    • D. sets hard again

  3. Question 3

    Why do ponds freeze on cold winter nights?

    • A. The Moon cools the water.
    • B. The water cools below 0 °C and turns to ice.
    • C. Snow falls into the pond and makes it solid all the way down.
    • D. The fish make ice.

  4. Question 4

    True or false? Cooling water below 0 °C turns it into ice.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  5. Question 5

    Why does a bathroom mirror steam up after a hot shower?

    • A. Soap sticks to the mirror.
    • B. The mirror is melting.
    • C. Warm, damp air cools on the mirror and forms tiny water drops.
    • D. Light turns into water.

  6. Question 6

    True or false? Frozen juice can never melt back into juice.

    • A. True
    • B. False

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Answer key: What happens when we cool it?

  1. 1. A. True

  2. 2. C. sets into a wobbly solid

  3. 3. B. The water cools below 0 °C and turns to ice.

  4. 4. A. True

  5. 5. C. Warm, damp air cools on the mirror and forms tiny water drops.

  6. 6. B. False