In this interactive science course, appropriate for Grades 1-3, students become thoughtful scientists as they explore the origins and workings of the universe.  Through interactive slideshows, videos, books, and simple experiments, students learn how the Big Bang led to the creation of our planet Earth. 

First, students review The Story of the Universe, which is a big-picture look at our universe.  They learn how stars created the very first atoms, which are the basis for all matter we see around us.  Finally, students explore matter in its many states, and culminate with a project to design their own futuristic invention.  

This class may be taken as a STAND-ALONE class, but when put together with all 4 classes, they create a full 36-week curriculum in science!  Classes may be taken in any order, but here is the suggested path: 

PART 1: The Beginning
PART 2 (THIS CLASS):  Matter Matters 
PART 3:  Our Solar System
PART 4: Earth's Beginnings

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FALL 2023
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WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION
What is The Story of the Universe?  What are stars?  What is the smallest thing??
Activities: The Story of the Universe; Close-Up Observations
 
WEEK 2: ATOMS
What are atoms?  How do they build things around us?  
Activities:  Atom Model; Lego Atoms 

WEEK 3: MATTER & SOLIDS
What is matter?  What are the states of matter? 
Activities:  Matter Scavenger Hunt; Ice on a String

WEEK 4: LIQUIDS
What makes something a liquid? 
Activities:  Racing Liquids; Drops on a Penny; Floating Egg

WEEK 5:  GASES & STRANGE LIQUIDS
What are gases like?  Can something be both a solid and a liquid?
Activities:  Air is All Around; Lava Lamp; Flubber & Slime

WEEK 6:  STATES OF MATTER 
What are all the states of matter?  What are properties of different material?
Activities:  States of Matter Atoms; Mad Hatter

WEEK 7: PROPERTIES OF MATTER
What do material properties tell us?  How are they useful?
Activities:  Melting Candy; Feel the Heat

WEEK 8:  USING PROPERTIES TO BUILD
How do properties of matter help us build things? 
Activities:  Paper Houses; Mud Cities

WEEK 9: INVENTIONS
What is something you would invent for the future?  What properties do the materials of your invention have?
Activities:  Inventions of the Future; The Story of the Universe Review

EXPERIMENTS: Upon enrollment, parents will receive a detailed list of supplies and preparation necessary for classes.  Most of the experiments can be done by students alone, however there are a few where students deal with hot water or ovens and should be supervised.  These lessons will be highlighted in the pdf provided.  


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FULL HOMESCHOOLING CURRICULUM
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This course may be taken alone, but is also part of a full homeschooling curriculum I offer on Outschool for grades 2-3.  If you're interested check out my Outschool schedule or this pdf of my full 2023-24 school year classes.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_qHHoWIdIQ5Edc2ryy5HPe3FZWOhxnRh/view?usp=sharing