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Science lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 60 minutes

Physical and chemical changes

Chemical reactions, acids and bases

CCSS NGSS.5-PS1-4CCSS NGSS.MS-PS1-2England: KS2 Y5 Properties and changes of materialsEngland: KS3 Chemistry: Chemical reactions

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Physical and chemical changes.

  • 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: no earlier skill in the map; start from what students know.

Leads to: Reactants, products and word equations; Acids, alkalis (bases) and the pH scale; Spot the evidence that a chemical reaction happened

Materials: Teacher demo or video, Indicator color chart, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 6 min

  • Quick retrieval: three short questions students should already manage. Answers on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Is this a physical or a chemical change: milk going sour? (physical change / chemical change) → chemical changePrompt: Is a new substance made?
  2. Which observation shows that a chemical reaction has happened? (A gas is given off and the colour changes / The substance changes shape / Salt dissolves / Ice turns to water) → A gas is given off and the colour changesPrompt: Look for signs of something new being made.
  3. Physical and chemical changes: which statement is NOT true? (Burning is a chemical change. / All bubbles mean a chemical reaction. / Dissolving is a physical change. / In a chemical reaction, atoms are rearranged to make new substances.) → All bubbles mean a chemical reaction.Prompt: Does each change make a new substance?

Hook · 6 min

  • Drop an antacid tablet in water (or show a clip) and ask whether a new substance is being made.
  • Share the objective: Physical and chemical changes. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 12 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Is this a physical or a chemical change: baking bread?
  • Step 1: In a chemical change new substances are made.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: chemical change
  • Answer: chemical change
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 12 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. Is this a physical or a chemical change: baking bread? (physical change / chemical change) → chemical changePrompt: Is a new substance made?
  2. Which observation shows that a chemical reaction has happened? (Ice turns to water / Salt dissolves / The substance changes shape / A gas is given off and the colour changes) → A gas is given off and the colour changesPrompt: Look for signs of something new being made.

You do: independent practice · 17 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Why is boiling water a physical change? (Bubbles always mean a chemical change / Water turns into hydrogen and oxygen / It cannot be reversed / The steam is still water, just in a different state) → The steam is still water, just in a different statePrompt: What are the bubbles made of?
  2. Physical and chemical changes: which statement is NOT true? (Dissolving is a physical change. / All bubbles mean a chemical reaction. / Burning is a chemical change. / Rusting needs both oxygen and water.) → All bubbles mean a chemical reaction.Prompt: Does each change make a new substance?

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

  • Use concrete materials: teacher demo or video.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Reactants, products and word equations; Acids, alkalis (bases) and the pH scale; Spot the evidence that a chemical reaction happened.
  • 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-5.

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

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Physical and chemical changes

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Is this a physical or a chemical change: cutting paper?

    • A. physical change
    • B. chemical change

  2. Question 2

    Physical and chemical changes: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. In a chemical reaction, atoms are rearranged to make new substances.
    • B. Dissolving is a physical change.
    • C. Atoms are destroyed in chemical reactions.
    • D. Burning is a chemical change.

  3. Question 3

    Which is a chemical change you might see in a kitchen?

    • A. freezing juice
    • B. chopping carrots
    • C. melting butter
    • D. toasting bread

  4. Question 4

    Is this a physical or a chemical change: ice melting?

    • A. physical change
    • B. chemical change

  5. Question 5

    A nail left outside turns orange-brown and flaky. What has happened?

    • A. Iron reacted with oxygen and water to make rust
    • B. The nail melted
    • C. The nail dissolved
    • D. Paint fell on it

  6. Question 6

    Is this a physical or a chemical change: sugar dissolving in tea?

    • A. physical change
    • B. chemical change

  7. Question 7

    Why is boiling water a physical change?

    • A. Water turns into hydrogen and oxygen
    • B. The steam is still water, just in a different state
    • C. Bubbles always mean a chemical change
    • D. It cannot be reversed

  8. Question 8

    Which observation shows that a chemical reaction has happened?

    • A. A gas is given off and the colour changes
    • B. Salt dissolves
    • C. Ice turns to water
    • D. The substance changes shape

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Answer key: Physical and chemical changes

  1. 1. A. physical change

  2. 2. C. Atoms are destroyed in chemical reactions.

  3. 3. D. toasting bread

  4. 4. A. physical change

  5. 5. A. Iron reacted with oxygen and water to make rust

  6. 6. A. physical change

  7. 7. B. The steam is still water, just in a different state

  8. 8. A. A gas is given off and the colour changes