Annotated Bib - Matter

Matter is a confusing issue until we understand what actually qualifies as matter. Children will have lots of qualities that they will apply to the definition of matter. These will usually meet some part of the qualities of matter, but usually not the whole concept of matter. Some of the qualities students think could not apply to a certain object can be proven by doing different experiments that prove to the student why that object is considered matter.

Books

Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest By Steve Jenkins. (2004). Sandpiper. (978-0618494880) Gr.
By using nature, the author shows us how high is the highest mountain and other amazing facts to help students try to understand how extreme things can be in size, etc.K - 2.

Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors By Joyce Sidman. Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. (2009). Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. (978-0547014944). Gr. Pre-K - 1.

This enchanting book takes children through the seasons of the year to teach them about colors. It season in explored in terms of how it encompasses color. Each page is a surprise to discover.

Shapes In Music (Spot the Shape) By Rebecca Rissman. (2009). Heinemann-Raintree. (978-1432921774). Gr. Pre-K - 1.

In this wonderfully engaging book, the author shows up where we can find many different shapes in everyday musical instruments. I can see a teacher bringing in most of the instruments to the classroom and really reinforcing the shapes to the students.


Spiky, Slimy, Smooth: What is Texture? By Jane Brocket. (2011). Millbrook Pr (T). (978-0761346142). Gr. Pre-K - 1.

Great pictures, whimsical verses, and clever descriptions of different textures. The author uses manufactured and natural items to showcase all the different textures we encounter.


What's the Matter in Mr. Whiskers' Room? By: Michael Elsohn Ross Illustrated by: Paul Meisel. (2007). Candlewick. (978-0763635664). Gr. K to 3.

Mr. Whiskers allows his students to explore science centers around the classroom and on the playground. They do experiments that help them to understand more about matter. The book also contains directions on how to create learning kits and the addresses for ordering supplies which would be a great thing for teachers.


Websites

Chemistry for Kids

This site has loads of information for teachers to use regarding what exactly is matter! There is a section for each state and also information about how matter can change. There is even a place to take quizzes, which could help a teacher in creating their own quiz.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute

A cool site that has a sections for educators and students all about science.

Kindergarten Games - Shape

While a little plain, this site contains different games for Kindergarteners. This will link you to a game asking the students to identify shapes. The words are written on the screen, but they are also spoken by the computer. There is also a game for identifying colors.

Science Online

This site has many different resources available for learning about matter. There are links to lesson plans, experiments, songs, and interactive websites for students. The information is sorted by grade level which makes is easier to find the right information you are looking for.

Zoodles

This site is designed for parents to provide games for their children to play online. Their is a free subscription required. The site can be designed to block out ads and also for limiting the time allowed. The games seem to center around different children's show and their are games about color and also size.

For Teachers
Virginia Standards of Learning K.4

The student will investigate and understand that the position, motion, and physical properties of an object can be described. Key concepts include
a) colors of objects;
b) shapes and forms of objects;
d) relative sizes and weights of objects; and

The concepts developed in this standard include the following:

• An object may have many properties that can be observed and described.
• An object can be described readily in terms of color.
• An object can be described in terms of shape, size, and texture.