Matter

Today we read "What's the Matter in Mr. Whisker's Room?" We learned all about matter!

Everything around us is made up of matter. As an introduction to our unit on electricity, the children learned that matter:

*takes up space
*has weight
*can sink or float
*can be in different forms - solid, liquid, gas
*can change from one form to another - from solid to liquid, or from liquid to gas
*can be "sensed" - hear, smell, feel, taste, see

Ask your child to name some matter around you!

P.S. Next week we will learn what matter has to do with electricity. Hint: Matter is made up of atoms. Atoms are made up of electrons. The flow of electrons IS electricity!

P.P.S. You and your third grade scientist can make oobleck at home! Oobleck is a fun material that changes from a solid to a liquid then back again.

Mix 7 tablespoons of cornstarch with 4 tablespoons of water a little at a time until you get a mixture that is solid when still, but melts into a liquid when held. Stir in a little green paint or food coloring. Store it in a plastic container with a lid.