Matter and Energy

Knowledge and Skills Statement

Matter and energy. The student knows that matter has measurable physical properties that determine how matter is identified, classified, changed, and used.
Glossary terms and definitions are consistent across kindergarten through high school in the TEKS Guide. The definitions are intended to give educators a common understanding of the terms regardless of what grade level they teach. Glossary definitions are not intended for use with students.

substance that occupies space, has mass, and is composed of microscopic particles

observable characteristic of matter that can be used to identify particular materials

Research

Palmeri, Amy, Amanda Cole, Sarah DeLisle, Stacey Erickson, and Jennifer Janes. 2008. “What’s the Matter With Teaching Children About Matter?” Science and Children 46, no. 4 (December 2008): 20–23. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43175007. 

Summary: In “What’s the Matter With Teaching Children About Matter?”, common misconceptions children may have about matter are explained, and instructional strategies to bridge that gap are provided. Children naturally use physical properties to describe matter, using words like "hard" and "thick" and describing odor. Students use their observations to classify matter.