Objectives (5-10 minutes)

1. Students will gain an understanding of the fundamental concept of matter. They will be able to define matter as anything that has mass and volume and occupies space.

2. Students will learn the basic properties of matter such as mass and volume, and how these properties can be measured.

3. Students will be introduced to the concept that matter is present everywhere in the universe and makes up everything that is physically tangible.

Secondary Objectives:

• To spark interest and curiosity in the subject of chemistry.
• To lay a solid foundation for future lessons on more complex topics in chemistry.
• To encourage participation and discussion, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Introduction (10-15 minutes)

1. The teacher begins the lesson by reminding students of earlier lessons on basic science concepts, such as the fact that everything around them is made up of tiny particles. This helps to establish the necessary foundation for understanding the concept of matter.

2. The teacher then introduces two problem situations that serve as starters for the development of the theory on matter:

   • The teacher fills a glass with water and asks the students why they think the water doesn't just float away. This is aimed at introducing the concept of mass.

   • The teacher blows up a balloon and lets it deflate, asking the students where they think the air inside the balloon went. This is aimed at introducing the concept of volume and the idea that matter occupies space.

3. The teacher contextualizes the importance of the subject by discussing real-world applications. For instance, understanding the properties of matter is essential in many fields like engineering, medicine, and environmental science.

4. The teacher introduces the topic in an engaging way using two curiosities:

   • The teacher can illustrate the vastness of matter by explaining that even the air we breathe, which seems empty, is actually matter composed of different gases.

   • The teacher can share an interesting fact like how matter can change from one state to another (from solid to liquid to gas and back), which will be explored in more detail in future lessons.

5. The teacher concludes the introduction by stating that today's lesson will focus on understanding what matter is, and how its properties can be measured, laying the foundation for more advanced topics in chemistry.

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

Definition and Basic Understanding of Matter (5-7 minutes)

1. The teacher presents the definition of matter by stating that "Matter is anything that has mass and volume." The teacher should make sure to clearly explain that volume refers to the amount of space that matter occupies and that mass relates to the amount of matter in an object.

2. The teacher introduces the idea that all objects we can touch, see, or even smell are made up of matter. For example, the air around us, the water we drink, the food we eat, the chair we sit on are all made of matter.

3. After presenting these concepts, the teacher should check for understanding by asking the students to identify matter around them. This could entail having the students look around the classroom and name things that are made of matter.

Properties of Matter: Mass and Volume (5-7 minutes)

1. The teacher describes the two fundamental properties of matter: Mass and Volume.

   • Mass: The teacher describes mass as the amount of matter an object contains/is made up of. The teacher can use a balance to demonstrate how mass is measured. Here, you might bring familiar objects, such as a book or an apple, to weigh and demonstrate that these objects have mass.

   • Volume: The teacher explains volume as the space an object occupies. The teacher can illustrate this concept by using a measuring cup filled with a liquid to show how volume is measured. Here, the teacher might pour water into various shaped containers (e.g., a glass, a bottle, a jar) to demonstrate that despite the shape of the container, the volume of water remains the same.

2. The teacher should evaluate student understanding by asking them to identify objects around them and guess which has more mass or which occupies more volume.

Presence and Versatility of Matter (7-10 minutes)

1. After discussing mass and volume, the teacher emphasizes that matter is present everywhere in the universe and makes up everything that is physically tangible.

   • The teacher can refer back to the air-filled balloon example from the introduction stage and reiterate that even though we can't see air, it is still considered matter because it has volume (it takes up space, as shown by the inflated balloon) and mass (air particles have weight).

2. The teacher introduces the concept of the three basic states of matter - solids, liquids, and gases. The teacher explains that all matter can exist in any of these three states and can also change from one state to another. The teacher can do this through basic examples, like water turning into ice and steam.

3. The teacher concludes by reemphasizing the real-world applications of understanding matter, such as its use in scientific disciplines like physics, biology, engineering, and medicine, and environmental science.

4. Lastly, the teacher encourages questions and discussion to ensure understanding and clear any confusions the students may have.

Feedback (10 - 15 minutes)

1. To assess what was learned during the lesson, the teacher can have an interactive discussion with the students, asking them to share examples of how matter is present in their everyday lives. This will help students relate the theoretical knowledge they have gained with practical, real-world applications. Some guiding points for this discussion could include:

   • Asking students to describe how the food they eat or the air they breathe represents matter.

   • Encouraging students to give examples of different states of matter they have observed during their day (e.g., steam from a hot shower, ice in a drink, etc.)

   • Discussing how understanding the concept of matter helps us in designing and building various objects, such as buildings, cars, etc.

2. The teacher can also use this time to evaluate the students' understanding by asking them to explain the concepts of mass and volume in their own words and provide examples of each.

3. The teacher may propose that students take a moment to reflect on answers to questions such as:

   1. What was the most important concept learned today?
   2. What questions remain unanswered?

4. The teacher can ask students to write down their answers to these reflection questions in their notebooks, emphasizing that this is not for grading but for their own understanding and learning.

5. The teacher wraps up the lesson by summarizing the importance of understanding matter in the study of chemistry and encourages students to bring any unanswered questions or points of confusion to the next class.

6. If time allows, the teacher can conduct a quick, informal assessment through a pop quiz asking students to define matter and describe its properties. This will give the teacher an immediate understanding of the students' grasp of the concept.

7. Finally, the teacher should provide positive feedback to students, appreciating their participation and effort in understanding the concept of matter. This will boost their confidence and encourage active involvement in future lessons.

Conclusion (5 - 10 minutes)

1. The teacher begins the conclusion by summarizing the main points of the lesson:

   • Matter is defined as anything that has mass and volume, meaning it occupies space.
   • The two fundamental properties of matter are mass and volume. Mass relates to the amount of matter in an object, while volume refers to the amount of space that matter occupies.
   • Matter is present everywhere in the universe and makes up everything that is physically tangible.
   • Matter can exist in three states: solid, liquid, and gas.

2. The teacher explains how the lesson connected theory, practice, and applications:

   • Theoretical concepts: The teacher introduced the definition of matter and its properties, mass and volume.
   • Practice: The teacher demonstrated how these properties can be measured using examples like weighing a book for mass and measuring water in a cup for volume.
   • Applications: The teacher highlighted how understanding these properties is essential in various fields like engineering, medicine, and environmental science.

3. The teacher suggests additional materials for further study:

   • The teacher can recommend a list of books or websites where students can find more information about matter and its properties.
   • The teacher can also suggest simple experiments the students can conduct at home, like observing the change of states in water (freezing, melting, boiling) to reinforce the concepts learnt.

4. The teacher concludes the lesson by emphasizing the importance of understanding matter in our everyday life:

   • Understanding matter helps us make sense of the world around us. We encounter different states of matter every day, from the solid food we eat, the liquid water we drink, to the gaseous air we breathe.
   • Knowledge about matter and its properties is crucial in many professions. For instance, engineers need to understand the properties of different materials (matter) to build structures, doctors need to understand the composition of various medicines (matter) to treat diseases, and environmental scientists need to understand how different pollutants (matter) affect our environment.

5. The teacher wraps up the lesson by reemphasizing that understanding matter and its properties will be the foundation for more advanced topics in chemistry. The teacher also encourages the students to continue exploring and be curious about the world around them, as it is all made up of matter.