Materials · B3 Science

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: B3.1.2.3.1 - Explain how substances change state between solid, liquid and gas

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Identify and name the three physical states of matter (solid, liquid and gas) using everyday substances such as shea butter, water, candle wax and ice.
Describe what happens to a substance when it is heated (solid to liquid, liquid to gas) using observations from class activities.
Describe what happens to a substance when it is cooled (liquid to solid, gas to liquid) using observations from class activities.
Explain that changing state does not create a new substance, using examples such as melting candle wax or boiling water.
Give at least one everyday Ghanaian example of a substance changing state and explain whether heating or cooling caused the change.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Diversity of Matter (Strand 1)
Sub-strand: Materials (1.2)
Content standard: B3.1.2.3 - Know that substances can exist in different physical state (solid, liquid, Gas). Many substances can be changed from one state to another by heating or cooling
Indicator: B3.1.2.3.1 - Explain how substances change state between solid, liquid and gas
Suggested placement: Term 1, Week 6 (Week 6 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: Science Curriculum (Basic 1-3), 2019, p. 51
Transcribed from the official NaCCA publication. Check this page against the source.

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

- Learners watch pictures and videos of solid, liquid and gaseous substances.
- Provide learners with solid and liquid substances such as shea butter, water, candle wax, ice
- Learners identify the physical states of the materials provided.
- Heat water for learners to observe how it changes to gas and cools down from gas to water (from liquid to gas and back to liquid).
- Engage learners to melt Shea butter and candle wax and let them observe how they change from solid to liquid and liquid to solid.
- Elaborate on their ideas to explain how substances change state.
Note: No new substance is formed from the activities. Share with learners, some everyday occurrences in which no new thing is formed.