Our Living ClassroomLearn • grow • choose

2026–27 • Labs & wellness

States of Matter

Compare sealed ice, liquid water and air as forms of matter.

Classroom lesson: States of Matter

Today I can…

identify examples of solid, liquid and gas

Words to know

Words for this lesson

ICEWATERAIRBOTTLEDROP

Follow along

What we will do

  1. 1

    Find a solid

    Find the ice in its sealed container.

  2. 2

    Watch liquid flow

    Watch the water move as an adult tilts its container.

  3. 3

    Think about air

    Find the sealed bottle that holds air.

  4. 4

    Sort examples

    Match each example picture to solid, liquid or gas.

  5. 5

    Follow the change

    Follow the dated photos from ice to liquid water.

  6. 6

    Show freezing

    Choose the photo showing liquid water becoming ice again.

Speech, sign, point, eye gaze, or AAC

Tell us what you need

Choose a word when you are ready.

ICEWATERAIRHELPBREAK
Teacher & para guideMaterials, learning objectives, access, and safety

Materials

  • Secured shatterproof clear containers with ice, liquid water and air; dated freeze/melt sequence prepared before class; existing example pictures and AAC. No hot water, steam, glass or open ice.

Safety first

Keep learners seated at a shared display; offer observation without touch and AAC, gaze, gesture or speech. Honor NO, STOP and BREAK; allow wait time and follow individual vision, allergy, mouthing and supervision plans. Select support individually, never by age or House. Use secured clear shatterproof containers controlled by the teacher and photos prepared before class. No hot water, steam, glass, open ice, direct cold contact or ingestion. Air fills the bottle even though it is invisible. Visible condensation drops are liquid; water vapor is invisible. Cooling can freeze water and warming can melt ice again.

Follow each student's IEP, health, feeding, allergy, behavior, and mobility plans.

Individual learning objectives

Choose Level 1, 2 or 3 individually in either House group. A House is not an ability level. Watching, directing and communicating a boundary are valid participation.

Level 1

Match ICE or WATER.

Level 2

Sort examples as solid, liquid or gas.

Level 3

Explain how water can freeze and melt again.

Skill focus: Classification, temperature awareness, sequencing, physical science

30-minute teaching sequence

Introduce · 5 min

5 min: Show secured clear containers of ice, liquid water and air. Ask, "Which keeps its own shape?" Explain that solids, liquids and gases are forms of matter. Air is present even when we cannot see it.

I do · 10 min

I do 10 min: Tilt the sealed ice and water containers to compare shape and flow. Show a sealed air-filled bottle: air fills its space. Compare an ice sample with melted water; show dated freeze/melt photographs prepared before class. Never use boiling water or steam.

We do · 10 min

We do 10 min: L1 matches ice/water. L2 sorts solid/liquid/gas examples using existing pictures. L3 uses the prepared sequence to explain that cooling can freeze water and warming can melt ice again. Clarify that visible condensation drops are liquid; water vapor itself is invisible.

Exit choice · 5 min

L1: Which is ice? L2: What state of matter is air? L3: How can water become ice again? Accept AAC, gaze, gesture or speech. Record support.

Science note: Matter is what objects are made of.

Curriculum connection: NGSS 2-PS1-1; 2-PS1-4 connection.

Prepare for this learner

Both House groups: choose L1/L2/L3 individually, never by age. Stay seated; teacher controls materials. Offer speech, AAC, pointing or gaze, 1-2 high-contrast choices, wait time, observation/no-touch and NO/BREAK. Record response and support; honor refusal.

Record the response, access method, opportunities and support used. Record observed, declined or not assessed separately; a communicated refusal is not a failure of participation.

Word lesson plan

Editable classroom source plan. Source files may retain earlier titles. Use the individual level choices and safety guidance above when preparing the session.

Download editable lesson plan (Word)

Access supports

Communication Model five core words; accept speech, AAC, eye gaze, gestures, object choices, signs, and partner-assisted scanning.

Sensory Present one material at a time. Offer tools, gloves, observe-only, a scent-free choice, and a quiet break.

Motor Stabilize containers, pre-loosen parts, use adapted grips, and offer seated, standing, partner, or directing roles.

Learning Show the finished result, model first, use short visual steps, repeat, and record the least support needed.

Lesson finder ↑