Introduction to Matter

Grade 1 · General Science

Semester 1 | Period 2 | Week 7

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Subject: General Science

Semester: 1

Period: 2

Week: 7


School Name:
Teacher’s Name:
Subject: General Science
Grade Level: Grade 1
Date: Week 7
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Week & Period: Week 7, Period 2
Topic: Introduction to Matter
Sub-topic: Meaning, Examples, and Kinds of Matter

Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
• State the meaning of matter
• Identify things that are matter
• Distinguish between living and non-living matter

Previous Knowledge
Students already know:
• They see and touch things around them every day
• They know that some things are alive (like people, plants, and animals) and others are not (like stones, chairs, and books)

Instructional Materials
• Real classroom objects (chair, book, pencil, stone, leaf, cup of water)
• Chart showing living and non-living things
• Flashcards with pictures of people, animals, plants, cars, houses

Lesson Development – ABC Model
A – Anticipation (Warm-up / Starter)
Time: 5–10 minutes
• Teacher shows a book and a stone: “Are these real things?” (Yes)
• Teacher says: “Today we will learn about matter – everything around us that has weight and takes up space.”

B – Building Knowledge (Main Lesson Body)

Time: 25–30 minutes

Learners’ Activities (Expanded & Detailed):

  • Students listen attentively as the teacher slowly pronounces the word “Matter” and then repeat after the teacher several times to master the pronunciation.
  • Teacher explains simply: “Matter is anything that has weight and takes up space.” Teacher demonstrates by carrying a book (heavy), then holding up a sheet of paper (light), showing that both are matter because they have weight, even if small.
  • Students observe and name objects in the classroom one by one (chalk, desk, shoe, pencil, bag, bottle, fan) as examples of matter. Teacher guides them to understand that all of these take up space in the classroom.
  • Teacher further explains: “There are two kinds of matter: Living and Non-living.”
  • To illustrate, teacher shows pictures (or points to real things nearby):
    • Living matter: plants, animals, teacher, classmates.
    • Non-living matter: chair, table, stone, blackboard.
  • Students touch or point at living matter (e.g., “Touch your friend… Is he living?”). They also touch non-living matter (e.g., “Touch your desk… Is it living?”).
  • Teacher highlights the differences between living and non-living matter in child-friendly language:
    • Living things eat, grow, move, and breathe.
    • Non-living things do not eat, do not grow, and do not move by themselves.
  • Students work in small groups: teacher gives them sets of picture cards (e.g., goat, tree, ball, shoes, car, bird, flower). Each group sorts the cards into living matter and non-living matter, then explains their sorting.
  • Teacher moves around, guiding groups and encouraging correct answers.

 

Assessment Checks (Oral Questions):

  • Teacher asks:
  1. “What is matter?”
  2. “Give me two examples of matter inside this classroom.”
  3. “Is your friend living or non-living?”
  4. “Is your chair living or non-living?”
  5. “Name one living thing and one non-living thing at home.”
  • Students answer in simple, complete sentences: “Matter is anything that has weight and takes up space.”

 

Notes (Expanded & Detailed for Pupils):

  • Matter is anything that has weight and takes up space.
  • Everything we see, touch, or use is matter: books, stones, water, air, plants, animals, and people.
  • There are two kinds of matter:
  1. Living matter: things that move, grow, eat, and need food. Examples – people, goats, birds, flowers, trees, dogs, cats.
  2. Non-living matter: things that do not move by themselves, do not eat, and do not grow. Examples – chairs, shoes, stones, cars, tables, toys.

 

Practical Activity:

  • Pupils walk around the classroom or school compound with the teacher. Each child points out one living matter and one non-living matter they see.
  • Teacher makes it fun by asking: “Can this stone grow? Can your friend grow?” (to reinforce differences).

 

Assignment (Homework):

  • Draw and color two living things and two non-living things you see at home.
  • Write (or tell parents to help write):
    • “Matter is anything that has weight and takes up space.”
    • One sentence naming a living thing and one naming a non-living thing.

C – Consolidation (Conclusion & Assessment)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Summary:
• Teacher revises:
– Matter is anything that has weight and takes up space
– Matter can be living or non-living
– Examples: plant (living), stone (non-living)

Evaluation Method (Expanded):
• Exit slip/quiz: Each child names one living matter and one non-living matter.
• Teacher will collect slips and provide oral feedback.

Assignment (Expanded):
• At home, list three living things and three non-living things you can find.

Follow-up Activity:
• Teacher will take students around the school compound to point at matter and say if it is living or non-living.

Differentiation / Inclusive Strategies
• Use real objects for children who struggle with pictures.
• Allow children who cannot write to answer orally.
• Pair stronger pupils with weaker ones for sorting activities.

Teacher’s Reflection (After Class)
• What worked well? ___________________________________________
• What needs improvement? ____________________________________
• Students’ engagement level: ☑ High ☑ Medium ☑ Low