2nd GRADE
PHYSICAL CHANGES
Summary: The Law of Conservation of Mass states that mass is conserved
during physical and chemical changes. Students explore this concept by taking
initial masses, making predictions, and finding final masses of physical changes.
Students observe that the mass of aluminum foil in a sheet is the same as the
mass of that piece of Aluminum foil formed into a small ball. Students will use a
balance and begin to learn terms such as mass and grams.
Intended Learning Outcomes for 2nd Grade:
Objective 1: Framing questions. Designing investigations. Conducting
investigations. Collecting data. Drawing conclusions.
Objective 2: Connecting ideas with reasons. Using multiple methods of
communicating reasons/evidence.
Objective 3: Ideas are supported by reasons. There are limits to ideas in
science. Differences in conclusions are best settled through additional
observations and investigations.
Utah State Core Curriculum Tie:
Standard 3 Objective 2: Physical Science
Model physical changes of various materials.
Investigate and provide evidence that matter is not destroyed or created through
changes.
Preparation time: 20 min
Lesson time: 50 min
Small group size: works best with one adult for every 5 students
Materials:
1. one balance per group with gram mass cubes (Gram mass cubes can be
ordered from enasco.com TB16755M Set of 500 for $12.50.)
2. ice
3. Ziploc bags
4. 3” ball of clay per group
5. aluminum foil
6. paper
7. 2 pipe cleaners per group
8. scissors
9. 1 tsp. of salt in a very small container or Ziploc bag
10. small container to mix salt and water in, needs to fit on the balance and not
be too heavy
11. graduated cylinder
12. paper clips
