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Measure and compare the mass and volume of solids and liquids.
Standard #: SC.3.P.8.2
Standard Information
General Information
Subject Area: Science
Grade: 3
Body of Knowledge: Physical Science
Big Idea: Properties of Matter - A. All objects and substances in the world are made of matter. Matter has two fundamental properties: matter takes up space and matter has mass.

B. Objects and substances can be classified by their physical and chemical properties. Mass is the amount of matter (or "stuff") in an object. Weight, on the other hand, is the measure of force of attraction (gravitational force) between an object and Earth.

The concepts of mass and weight are complicated and potentially confusing to elementary students. Hence, the more familiar term of "weight" is recommended for use to stand for both mass and weight in grades K-5. By grades 6-8, students are expected to understand the distinction between mass and weight, and use them appropriately.

Clarification for grades K-2: The use of the more familiar term ‘weight’ instead of the term “mass” is recommended for grades K-2.

Clarification for grades 3-5: In grade 3, introduce the term mass as compared to the term weight. In grade 4, investigate the concept of weight versus mass of objects. In grade 5, discuss why mass (not weight) is used to compare properties of solids, liquids and gases.
Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Content Complexity Rating: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved
Assessed: Yes
Related Courses
Related Access Points
Related Resources
3D Modeling
  • SaM-1 3D Printable Figurine and Keychain # This resource includes 3D printable files that can be used to bring SaM-1 to life. You can 3D print keychains to give away to your students and/or print a larger version of the figurine to have in the classroom. The 3D printable files are offered in STL format and in print ready format for the Dremel 3D40 printer in case that is the printer you are using. Aso attached are two pictures to show how these printouts look. This is a resource in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Properties. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Rehabilitation and Conservation Center.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx .
Assessment
  • Grade 3 Physical Science Unit: Properties Assessment # Use this summative assessment to assess the students' understanding of the topics presented in within this Grade 3 Physical Science Unit: Properties.  The assessment can either be cumulative or broken into topics presented within the unit. This assessment is part of the CPALMS Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Properties. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Rehabilitation and Conservation Center.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx .
Image/Photographs
  • SaM-1 Character Animal Rehabilitation & Conservation Center Printable Patches # Print these patches for students to earn as they progress through each unit with SaM-1.   Patches can be printed on regular paper to be cut out or printed on sticker paper to have pre-made stickers.   This is a resource in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Properties. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Animal Rehabilitation & Conservation Center.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx .
  • SaM-1 Animal Rehabilitation & Conservation Center Unit Printable Patches # Print these patches for students to earn as they progress through each unit with SaM-1.   Patches can be printed on regular paper to be cut out or printed on sticker paper to have pre-made stickers. This is a resource in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Properties. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Animal Rehabilitation & Conservation Center.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx .
  • Grade 3 Physical Science Unit: Properties Interactive Bulletin Boards # Download this folder full of interactive SaM-1 bulletin board ideas and artwork for your classroom!   This download is part of a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Rehabilitation and Conservation Center.  Be sure to look at the PowerPoint to visualize how to create the bulletin boards and get more ideas. This is a resource in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Properties. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Rehabilitation and Conservation Center.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx .
  • Bulletin Board Robots # The following are visuals to help create bulletin boards for the classroom. Separate files for the artwork are available to print and recreate the bulletin boards. Be creative and use the artwork in any way you can imagine! Robots: Robot graphics to be used for bulletin board artwork This is a resource in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Properties. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Rehabilitation and Conservation Center.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit  .
  • Bulletin Board Design Process # The following are visuals to help create bulletin boards for the classroom. Notes are included on how to create or enhance the bulletin board. Separate files for the artwork are available to print and recreate the bulletin boards. All artwork is scaled for a 3ft by 4ft board. Be creative and use the artwork in any way you can imagine! Engineering Design Process: This SaM-1 bulletin board provides a visual display to refer to while students are exploring and creating using the Engineering Design Process.  Consider having students place their names next to the stage they are at and moving to the next stage when they are ready, to help know where they are in the process. This bulletin board will be useful throughout the year, but especially for the MEA lessons. This is a resource in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Properties. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Rehabilitation and Conservation Center.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx .
Lesson Plans
  • Physical Science Unit: Water Beach Vacation Lesson 1 Observations # Students learn that making observations is an important aspect of scientific study. Students will review concepts about water by making observations based on different properties and states of matter of water. Students will also review how to measure volume, mass and temperature as they will use these skills throughout the unit. This is a lesson in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Water. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures while on a Beach Vacation.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit  https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx.
  • Physical Science Unit: Water Beach Vacation Lesson 12 Engineering Design Problem: Beat the Heat Part 3: Testing a Cooler # In this engineering design problem, students will have the opportunity to apply what they
    learned about the changes water undergoes when it changes state through heating and
    cooling by designing their own cooler. Students will be asked to use the engineering design
    process to design a cooler that will reduce the melting of frozen water in hot temperatures
    at the beach. Students will need to design and build their cooler, test their materials, and
    justify their design decisions. In this lesson students will test their cooler’s effectiveness in
    keeping ice from melting. In subsequent lessons students will improve their designs. This is a lesson in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Water. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures while on a Beach Vacation.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx.  
  • Physical Science Unit: Water Beach Vacation Lesson 5 Evaporation Experiment # Students set up an experiment and gather data to investigate the evaporation of water. This is a lesson in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Water. This is a themed unit ofSaM-1's adventures while on a Beach Vacation.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx. .
  • Physical Science Unit: Water Beach Vacation Lesson 4 Melting Experiment # Students set up an experiment and gather data to investigate the melting of solid water. This is a lesson in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Water. This is a themed unit ofSaM-1's adventures while on a Beach Vacation.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx. .
  • Physical Science Unit: Properties Lesson 10 Grouping by Mass # Students will make objects of given masses based on identified animal needs using a balance.  This lesson could also be taught using mathematics instructional time.  This is a lesson in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Properties. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Rehabilitation and Conservation Center.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx .
  • Physical Science Unit: Properties Lesson 14 Volume: Solids Displacement # Students will make learn how to find the volume of irregular objects using a graduated cylinder. Students will solve problems based on the volume of irregular objects and determine the volumes of given objects. This lesson could also be taught using mathematics instructional time.  This is a lesson in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Properties. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Rehabilitation and Conservation Center.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx .
  • Physical Science Unit: Properties Lesson 13 Introduction to Displacement # Students will make learn how to find the volume of irregular objects using a graduated cylinder. Students will solve problems based on the volume of irregular objects and determine the volumes of given objects. This lesson could also be taught using mathematics instructional time.  This is a lesson in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Properties. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Rehabilitation and Conservation Center.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx .
  • Physical Science Unit: Properties Lesson 12 Volume: Liquids # Students will learn how to use a graduated cylinder to make observations based on the volume of liquids. Students will solve word problems based on volume and measure out given liquid volumes. This lesson could also be taught using mathematics instructional time. This is a lesson in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Properties. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Rehabilitation and Conservation Center.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx .
  • Physical Science Unit: Properties Lesson 11 Introduction to Volume # Students will learn how to use a graduated cylinder to make observations based on the volume of liquids.  This lesson could also be taught using mathematics instructional time. This is a lesson in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Properties. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Rehabilitation and Conservation Center.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx .  
  • Physical Science Unit: Properties Lesson 7 Measuring Mass # Students will make observations and sort items based on the mass of materials using a balance.  This lesson could also be taught using mathematics instructional time.  This is a lesson in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Properties. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Rehabilitation and Conservation Center.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit  https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx.
  • Physical Science Unit: Properties Lesson 8 Mass Solids # Students will make observations and sort items based on the mass of materials using a balance. This lesson could also be taught using mathematics instructional time. This is a lesson in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Properties. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Rehabilitation and Conservation Center.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx .
  • Physical Science Unit: Properties Lesson 9 Mass: Liquids # Students will make observations and sort liquid items based on the mass of materials using a balance.  This lesson could also be taught using mathematics instructional time.  This is a lesson in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Properties. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Rehabilitation and Conservation Center.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx .  
  • Max Mass Movers # In this design challenge, students will explore the measurement of mass and properties of matter as they design a container that can hold the most mass.
  • What's the Matter with a Crayon? # In this lesson, students will cooperatively measure the mass and volume of three different-colored crayons as a solid. After recording measurements, students will place their crayons in molds in order to change the state of matter from a solid to a liquid through heating. The teacher will pour the liquefied crayon into a graduated cylinder to measure the volume. Following the measurements recording, the liquid will be poured back into the molds and placed in a cool/shaded environment so the crayons will change back into a solid state. Once the crayons re-solidify, the students will take their student-made, tie-dye crayon out of the mold and re-measure it. Lastly, the students will measure and compare their final measurements to the initial measurements.
  • Is that Estimate Correct? # In this lesson, students will estimate water volume in three containers and record observations. Following estimations, students will directly measure the volumes using an appropriate method. After comparing those measurements to the estimates, students will be given a known volume of water and will be asked to divide the water into three predetermined volumes, again using estimation skills. A following measurement will be used to determine the difference between their volume estimate and the actual measured volume as distributed across three vessels.
  • Mass and Volume, They Matter! # In this lesson students will investigate what mass and volume are and how they are measured. Students will practice measuring the masses of solids and volumes of liquids. Students will have a chance to work cooperatively with their peers and apply their knowledge to a real-world problem.
  • Exploring the States of Water # This is a week long lesson which helps children explore the three states of water: solid, liquid, and gas. Students will explore examples of where and what conditions the states of matter occur and investigate how to collect observations on the various states of water.
Model Eliciting Activity (MEA) STEM Lessons
  • Physical Science Unit: Water Beach Vacation Lesson 15 Beat the Heat MEA Part 2: Cooler Experiment # In this MEA, students will have the opportunity to apply what they learned about describing
    the changes water undergoes when it changes state through heating and cooling. This MEA
    is divided into four parts. In part 1, students will develop their hypothesis and receive
    information on how to set up the cooler experiment. In part 2, students will use ice to test
    the coolers they designed in Beat the Heat Engineering Design Lessons. Students will take
    measurements and collect data on their cooler. In part 3, students will analyze the data
    they collected. Finally, in part 4 they will develop a procedure for selecting the most
    effective cooler to keep water frozen the longest at the beach. In the optional twist,
    students will need to take the mass of the cooler into account. This is a lesson in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Water. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures while on a Beach Vacation.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx.
  • Physical Science Unit: Water Beach Vacation Lesson 16 Beat the Heat MEA Part 3: Analyzing Cooler Data # In this MEA, students will have the opportunity to apply what they learned about describing
    the changes water undergoes when it changes state through heating and cooling. This MEA
    is divided into four parts. In part 1, students will develop their hypothesis and receive
    information on how to set up the cooler experiment. In part 2, students will be asked to use
    ice to test the coolers they designed in Beat the Heat Engineering Design Lessons.
    Students will take measurements and collect data on their cooler. In Part 3 of this activity,
    students will analyze the data they collected in Part 2 by drawing and interpreting a scaled
    bar graph and line graph. Students will participate in a discussion about how to interpret the
    data that was collected. Finally, in part 4 they will develop a procedure for selecting the best
    cooler to keep water frozen the longest at the beach. In the optional twist, students will
    need to take the mass of the cooler into account. This is a lesson in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Water. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures while on a Beach Vacation.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx.
  • Physical Science Unit: Water Beach Vacation Lesson 17 Beat the Heat MEA Part 4: Ranking Procedure # In this MEA, students will have the opportunity to apply what they learned about describing
    the changes water undergoes when it changes state through heating and cooling. This MEA
    is divided into four parts. In part 1, students will develop their hypothesis and receive
    information on how to set up the cooler experiment. In part 2, students will be asked to use
    ice to test the coolers they designed in Beat the Heat Engineering Design Lessons.
    Students will take measurements and collect data on their cooler. In part 3, students will
    analyze the data they collected. Finally, in part 4 they will develop a procedure for selecting
    the best cooler to keep water frozen the longest at the beach. They will communicate their
    findings and procedure via a letter to next year’s class. In the optional twist, students will
    need to take the mass of the cooler into account. This is a lesson in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Water. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures while on a Beach Vacation.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx.
  • Physical Science Unit: Water Beach Vacation Lesson 9 Cool Cooler Design Model-Eliciting Activity (MEA) #

    In this MEA, students will have the opportunity to apply what they learned about describing
    the changes water undergoes when it changes state through heating and cooling. Students
    will be asked to rank coolers based on data to solve an open-ended, realistic problem, while
    considering constraints and tradeoffs. In the optional twist, students will need to take the
    mass of the cooler into account.

    This is a lesson in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Water. This is a themed unit ofSaM-1's adventures while on a Beach Vacation.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx.

     

Original Student Tutorials
Teaching Idea
  • Grade 3 Physical Science Unit: Properties Materials List # This document is a list of the materials needed for each lesson.  This document is part of a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Rehabilitation and Conservation Center.  This is a resource in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Properties. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Rehabilitation and Conservation Center.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx .
Unit/Lesson Sequence
Worksheet
  • Grade 3 Physical Science Unit: Properties Student Workbook # Download this student workbook which includes all student activities and worksheets needed for the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Properties. This workbook is part of the CPALMS Grade 3 Physical Science Unit on Properties. This is a themed unit of SaM-1's adventures at the CPALMS Rehabilitation and Conservation Center.  To see all the lessons in the unit please visit https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx .
Original Student Tutorials Science - Grades K-8
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