You will learn
- Define matter.
- Measure mass and volume.
- Explain density simply.
- Show that air is matter.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- All materials are matter.
- Mass is measured in grams or kilograms.
- Volume is measured in cm³, ml or litres.
- Gases have mass and volume too.
Words to know
anything with mass that takes up space
the amount of matter in an object
the space an object takes up
how much mass in a given volume
1. Discover: The empty balloon
Mr Asante weighs two identical deflated balloons on a balance, then inflates one and weighs both again. The inflated balloon is slightly heavier. “Air is matter,” he says. “It has mass and takes up space.”
Think: How can you tell air takes up space?
2. Understand: Matter
Idea 1: Definition
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space (volume). Solids, liquids and gases are all matter. Light and heat are not.
Idea 2: Measuring
Measure mass with a balance in grams (g) or kilograms (kg). Measure the volume of a liquid with a measuring cylinder in millilitres (ml).
Idea 3: Density
Density is how much mass is packed into a certain volume. A rock is denser than a sponge of the same size.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Decide
Matter?
- Mass?
- Space?
- Decide.
Answer: Both needed.
Example 2 (We do it together): Measure
Water volume.
- Cylinder.
- Eye level.
- ml.
Answer: Read the meniscus.
Example 3 (You try): Compare
Density.
Show the steps and answer
- Same size.
- Different mass.
- Denser one heavier.
Answer: More mass per volume.
Did you know?
One cubic centimetre of lead has about eleven times the mass of one cubic centimetre of water.
Why this matters
Understanding matter is the first step in chemistry and materials science.
4. Explore: Air takes space
Push an upturned cup straight down into a bowl of water and see that the water does not fill it; then tilt it and watch bubbles escape.
- Fill a bowl.
- Push the cup straight down.
- Tilt it.
- Observe bubbles.
Think about it: what did you notice?
What did you notice? Air kept water out until it escaped.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- ___ is anything that has mass and takes up space.
- ___ is the amount of matter.
- ___ is the space an object takes up.
- ___ is mass in a given volume.
Guided practice
Question 1. What is matter?
Mass and space.
Question 2. What is mass?
Amount of matter.
Question 3. What is volume?
Space.
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- What is matter?
- What is mass?
- What is volume?
- What is density?
- Is air matter?
Level 2: Grow
- Why is air matter?
- Why balance?
- Why cylinder?
Level 3: Stretch
- Run the cup test.
- Measure.
- Explain.
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: Science in everyday life
Explain how you know air is matter.
Show a sample answer
Use two pieces of evidence.
Another one. Tell a family member one thing from this lesson. Use the words you learned.
Show a sample answer
A clear sentence that uses at least one word from Words to know.
7. Common mistakes
Fix: They are.
Fix: Not matter.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can define matter.
- I can measure mass and volume.
- I can explain density simply.
- I can show that air is matter.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- All materials are matter.
- Mass is measured in grams or kilograms.
- Volume is measured in cm³, ml or litres.
- Gases have mass and volume too.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: The particle model. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- Define matter and density. [2 marks]
- Explain how a cup shows air is matter. [3 marks]
- Compare a rock and a sponge. [3 marks]
- Safety rule. [2 marks]
Total: 10 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- 1 each
- Cup [1]; water kept out [1]; air takes space [1]
- Same size [1]; rock more mass [1]; denser [1]
- Any [1]; reason [1]
Score guide: 9 to 10 = secure. 6 to 8 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- What is matter?
- What is mass?
- What is volume?
- What is density?
- Is air matter?
- Why is air matter?
- Why balance?
- Why cylinder?
- Run the cup test.
- Measure.
Homework
Find five things at home that are matter and one that is not.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. What is matter? | Mass and space. | 1 |
| 2. What is mass? | Amount of matter. | 1 |
| 3. What is volume? | Space. | 1 |
| 4. What is density? | Mass per volume. | 1 |
| 5. Is air matter? | Yes. | 1 |
| 6. Why is air matter? | Mass and space. | 1 |
| 7. Why balance? | Measure mass. | 1 |
| 8. Why cylinder? | Measure volume. | 1 |
| 9. Run the cup test. | Notes. | 1 |
| 10. Measure. | Table. | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 Mass and space.; 2 Amount of matter.; 3 Space.; 4 Mass per volume.; 5 Yes.. Level 2: 1 Mass and space.; 2 Measure mass.; 3 Measure volume.. Level 3: 1 Notes.; 2 Table.; 3 Sentence..
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Define matter | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Measure mass and volume | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Explain density simply | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Show that air is matter | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: “Gases are not matter.” They are.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Define matter.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child studies matter. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Weigh a balloon.
- Ask “Is air matter?”
- Mind spills.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: define matter; measure mass and volume; explain density simply; show that air is matter.
Prerequisite knowledge. Grade 5 ideas: states of matter, changes of state, mixtures and dissolving.
Materials. Bowl, cup, water, balance, balloons. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Fill bowls.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Blow up a balloon and ask, “What is inside, and does it count as matter?”
Explanation (10 min). Teach matter.
Guided activity (10 min). Learners test.
Independent activity (10 min). Learners explain.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. Does it have mass? Does it take space?
Teacher explanation notes. Start with real objects and safe, hands-on observation. Then talk about what was seen, then draw and write. Always say “how do you know?”. Keep to the safety notes, and use local, safe materials.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use real objects and pictures, short sentences and a partner. Let learners point, show or draw instead of writing. Extension. Ask learners to find a new example at home and explain how they know.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. “Gases are not matter.” They are.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 10-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Define matter. Enrichment. Look for one new example near your home or school, draw it and explain it to someone. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Next Generation Science Standards, Cambridge Primary Science and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Research used to shape this lesson. Courseversity Science curriculum, Grade 6 Unit 5, topic 1; Next Generation Science Standards, structure and properties of matter; Cambridge Lower Secondary Science, chemistry; IB Primary Years Programme, how the world works. These sources informed the lesson.