Matter Teaching Resources
Teaching about matter in your science classes? Explore activities, experiments, worksheets and more teacher resources created to help you with your lesson plans and help primary students understand what matter is and what it's made from!
Aligned with the Australian Science curriculum — including version 9 — the resources in this collection offer everything you need to explain the changing states of matter and how it's classified, plus activities that help students better understand the makeup of different molecules.
Whether it's your first year teaching about matter or you just need a handy guide to save time on lesson planning, we've got you covered! Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a way to explain what matter is to your science classes.
What Is Matter? A Kid-Friendly Definition
So what, exactly, is matter? Here's a helpful explanation from our teacher team that you can use with your class:
Matter can be defined as anything that has mass and occupies space. It's literally the stuff that makes up everything in the universe, including our bodies!
What Is Matter Made Up Of? How to Explain This to Kids
This may sound like a bit of an existential question, but bear with us! Learning what matter is made of can help our students to understand the different properties and behaviour of the various types of matter.
Let's break down all that matter is made of for kids:
- Atoms — All matter is made up of atoms. This is the word we use to describe tiny particles. They're so tiny the human eye can't even see them. Atoms are like the building blocks of matter.
- Molecules — When 2 or more atoms come together and form a bond, you get a molecule. The different combinations and arrangements of atoms and molecules creates the various substances and materials we see, breathe, feel and use every day.
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States of Matter Virtual Escape Room Game - Laboratory Lockdown
Use a States of Matter Virtual Escape Room activity to engage and excite your students about the forms and changes seen in matter.
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Sink or Float? Cut and Paste Worksheet
Identify objects that sink and float with a printable cut-and-paste science worksheet for early years.
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Observing Matter - Foundation Year Science Game
Practise observing the properties of matter with an engaging science game for foundation year students.
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States of Matter Word Wall Vocabulary
Review vocabulary related to matter with a printable illustrated States of Matter Word Wall.
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Making Butter in a Jar – States of Matter Lab Activity
Have fun making butter in a jar in this exciting Changing States of Matter Lab Activity.
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Observing Chemical Reactions Experiment for Kids
Investigates chemical changes and the law of conservation of mass with our Observing Chemical Reactions Experiments.
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Comprehending Science - States of Matter Worksheet Pack
Use our Comprehending Science - States of Matter Worksheet Pack to review concepts related to solids, liquids, and gases.
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Observing Matter Picture Zoom Task Cards
Challenge your students to observe the properties of matter with an engaging Matter Observation Picture Zoom Activity.
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Physical Properties of Matter Poster Pack
Discover the physical properties of matter with a set of printable Properties of Matter Posters for the classroom.
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Observing Matter – Edible Science Experiment
Discover the observable properties of matter with an exciting edible science experiment!
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Zooming in on Matter Properties Teaching Slides
Zoom in on the Observable Properties of matter with an engaging Properties of Matter Teaching Slideshow.
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Matter Lapbook - Foldables for Science
Use our printable Matter Lapbook Foldables to teach your students about the states of matter, characteristics of matter, and changes in matter.
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The Three States of Matter – Year 5 Reading Worksheets
Use a Year 5 Reading Comprehension passage and worksheet to teach your students about the three states of matter.
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Solids, Liquids and Gases PowerPoint
Teaching your students about solids, liquids and gases with an engaging interactive teaching slide presentation.
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Making an Ice Cream Spider – Matter Experiment
Have fun making ice cream spiders in this exciting Changing States of Matter Science Experiment for Kids.
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Properties of Matter Activity Book
Review key vocabulary and concepts surrounding the characteristics of matter with a Properties of Matter Review Activity Book.
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States, Properties, and Changes in Matter Activity Choice Boards
Use printable Matter Project Choice Boards to assess student knowledge of states, properties, and changes in matter.
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Physical Properties of Matter Vocabulary Foldable
Introduce your students to observable and measurable properties of matter with a printable Properties of Matter Vocabulary Foldable.
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Changing Matter Experiment – How Long Will It Take to Melt?
Explore how solids change into liquids with an exciting hands-on Matter science experiment.
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Solid, Liquid, or Gas? Interactive Game
Make learning about the states of matter interactive and fun with this Solids, Liquids, and Gases Game!
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Mixtures and Solutions Investigation Station Cards
Determine if a combination of ingredients makes a mixture or solution during your science centers with this set of station cards.
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Reversible and Irreversible Changes Sort
Identify examples of reversible and irreversible changes with an engaging Matter Card Game for kids!
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Properties of Matter Reading Comprehension Pack (Year 3)
Read and discover the properties of matter with a set of Year 3 Reading Comprehension Worksheets.
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Matter Experiment – Will All Liquids Freeze?
Investigates whether all liquids will change states when heat is removed with an engaging Matter Experiment.
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Describing Matter – Word Wall
Help your students learn to describe matter using physical properties with an illustrated matter word wall.
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Forms of Matter - Reading Comprehension Worksheets (Year 5)
Read and learn about forms of matter and its properties with a set of printable reading comprehension worksheets for year 5.
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Does Air Have Mass? Matter Science Experiments
Explore the physical properties of gases and discover that air has mass with a set of 4 matter experiments for kids.
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Matter States and Changes Science Lab Activity Pack
Discover the states and changes of matter with a printable pack of Science Lab Activities for Kids!
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Going, Going, Gone! - Changing States of Matter Experiment
Explore the changing states of matter due to temperature with an engaging science lab activity.
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States of Matter Word Find - Upper Years
Use a States of Matter word search to introduce your upper-years students to new academic vocabulary.
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States of Matter Word Search - Lower Years
Use a States of Matter word search to introduce your early learners to new academic vocabulary.
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States of Matter Task Cards for Year 3
Help your students identify the three states of matter with a set of engaging Science task cards for Year 3.