In this unit, students learn how they can use properties of materials to identify them. In the first focus question, they use their senses to compare properties of six solids, including sugar and cornstarch. They read about how sugar and cornstarch are made by plants and used as food by animals. In the second focus question, students learn that dissolving and evaporation can be explained by particles. They compare how six solids behave when mixed with water. In the third focus question, students learn that melting points can be used to identify solids. They look at the effect of heat on six solids. In the fourth focus question, students record what happens when six solids are mixed with either iodine or vinegar. 

This Asynchronous Canvas course prepares teachers to: • Access online teacher and student resources • Develop understanding of the unit’s storyline, instructional model, and standards alignment. • Organize and manage the materials in the unit to support student learning activities. • Support and assess student sense-making with a variety of strategies, including science notebooks. • Provide examples or resources about STEM-related career choices to use with students.

Each module within this course consists of 2-4 lessons in the curriculum and also follows a specific focus question that students will be working towards answering. Participants will watch videos and explore teacher tips for all 15 lessons relating to the following focus questions. Participants will have opportunities throughout the course to ask questions related to the lesson content and materials.