Grade 06 Science - EC: S6.C.1.1.1

Continuum of Activities

The list below represents a continuum of activities: resources categorized by Standard/Eligible Content that teachers may use to move students toward proficiency. Using LEA curriculum and available materials and resources, teachers can customize the activity statements/questions for classroom use.

This continuum of activities offers:

Instructional activities designed to be integrated into planned lessons
Questions/activities that grow in complexity
Opportunities for differentiation for each student’s level of performance

Grade Levels

6th Grade

Course, Subject

Science

Related Academic Standards / Eligible Content

S6.C.1.1.1 S6.C.1.1.1

Describe how characteristic physical properties of matter can be used to distinguish one substance from another (e.g., boiling point, freezing/melting points).

Activities

Describe physical properties.
Give two examples of physical properties a scientist may use to help identify substances.
Explain the concepts of boiling point, freezing point, and melting point.

Describe how scientists may use the property of magnetism to identify an unknown substance.
How can boiling point be used to identify an unknown substance?

Synthesize: Suppose you have two solid substances that look the same. What measurements would you take and which tests would you perform to determine if they are the same or different substance?

Answer Key/Rubric

Physical properties are characteristics of matter that do not involve a chemical change.
Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
Physical properties a scientist may observe to distinguish substances include: color, solubility, odor, hardness, texture, density, boiling point, and freezing point.

Boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid becomes a gas. Freezing point is the temperature at which a liquid becomes a solid. Melting point is the temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid.

Since some substances are attracted to metals and some are not, scientists may use a magnet to see if it attracts substances or not. If it is magnetic, scientists can determine if it contains a magnetic element, such as iron, or nickel.
In order to use boiling point to help identify substances, the substance would have to be boiled using proper equipment, with proper supervision, and following all safety procedure. The temperature at which it starts to boil can be determined using a thermometer. In order to identify the potential substance, a reference chart or research would need to be conducted to determine which substances boil at that temperature. If there are multiple possibilities, other tests would need to be conducted to determine this substance.

Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:

Determining its boiling point, freezing point, density, or hardness.
Describe how any of the appropriate measures would be tested for.