--- title: Structure of Matter | 3rd Grade Science Lessons | KnowAtom description: Explore the structure of matter in 3rd grade science, focusing on atoms, their properties, and hands-on activities to enhance student understanding. --- More Lessons for Your State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington DC West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Other NGSS # Structure of Matter In 3rd grade, students ask questions and conduct experiments to explore the world around them. In this unit, students unpack the phenomena of tiny particles called atoms that make up all matter in the universe. This page showcases key parts of the first lesson in this unit. 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Humans continue to be fascinated by the vastness of the universe, exploring the sky using telescopes, unmanned robotic probes, and human spaceflight. The goal is to gather data that will help to answer many questions about the makeup of our solar system and beyond. However, there continue to be many unanswered questions. As a result, we are continually learning new information about the solar system. Scientists use models to understand the makeup of the solar system because it is so immense. Scientists can use models to understand things that are too big, too small, too fast, or too slow to see. A system model is particularly important for scientists who want to understand how the various parts of the solar system interact with and influence one another. Understanding the vastness of the solar system begins with the very small. Scientists know that all of the objects in the universe, including stars, planets, asteroids, and comets, are made up of matter. Matter is everything that has mass and takes up space. All matter is made up of atoms, which are the smallest pieces of matter that have the properties of an element. Scientists also use models to understand atoms because atoms are so tiny and fast that no camera has been able to take a good picture of them. Scale is an important concept in science. Scale is the size, extent, or importance (magnitude) of something relative to something else. #### Supports Grade 3 ![Sneak Peek Seal with Arrow](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Sneak%20Peek%20Seal%20with%20Arrow.svg) ## Science Lesson: Exploring the Structure of Matter Scientists who explore space recognize similarities among matter on Earth and matter in the solar system. For example, all of the objects in the universe, including Earth and everything on Earth, are made up of tiny particles too small to be seen, called atoms. In this first lesson of the unit, students model an atom to observe the building blocks of matter. [Download a Sample Unit ](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum#state) ## Science Big Ideas - Science is the search for explanations about the natural world. - All matter is made up of tiny particles called atoms that are too small to see. An atom is the smallest piece of matter that has the properties of an element. An element is a substance made up entirely of one kind of atom. - Atoms are extremely tiny, but they themselves are made up of smaller particles, called protons, neutrons, and electrons. ![sample unit-k8 science curriculum-knowatom](https://www.knowatom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sample%20Unit%20CTA-2.png?width=327&height=264&name=Sample%20Unit%20CTA-2.png) ###### Discover Complete Hands-on Screens-off Core Science Curriculum for K-8 Classrooms Prepared hands-on materials, full year grade-specific curriculum, and personalized live professional development designed to support mastery of current state science standards. [Click Here to Learn More](https://www.knowatom.com/talk-to-knowatom-sales) ## Science Essential Questions - Why is curiosity such an important part of science? - How do scientists gather information about the world around them? - How is science different from other subjects, such as history or English? - What is the relationship between the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons that an atom generally has? - Why do electrons stay in different shells? - Why do different elements have different properties? - How are air, the sun, and a tree all similar? - How can air be considered matter even though we can’t see it? - If both the sun and air are made up of atoms, how can they be so different from each other? ## Common Science Misconceptions ![close-circle-red](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Icon%20ionic-ios-close-circle-red-1.svg) **Misconception:** Only Earth has gravity. ![checkmark-circle-green](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Icon%20ionic-ios-checkmark-circle-green.svg) **Fact:** All matter has gravity. All objects near Earth’s surface are pulled on by Earth’s gravity because Earth is the most massive object near us. ![close-circle-red](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Icon%20ionic-ios-close-circle-red-1.svg) **Misconception****:** Earth doesn't move in the solar system.  ![checkmark-circle-green](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Icon%20ionic-ios-checkmark-circle-green.svg) **Fact:** The sun’s gravity keeps Earth and the other planets in orbit. ![close-circle-red](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Icon%20ionic-ios-close-circle-red-1.svg) **Misconception****:** If an object is at rest, no forces are acting on it. ![checkmark-circle-green](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Icon%20ionic-ios-checkmark-circle-green.svg) **Fact:** Forces are constantly acting on objects both at rest and in motion.  ## Science Vocabulary **Atom :** the smallest piece of matter that has the properties of an element; a combination of three subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons **Cause and Effect :** a relationship between events or things, where one is the result of the other **Force : ** a push or pull that acts on an object, changing its speed, direction, or shape **Gravity : ** a force of attraction between all matter **Mass : ** a measure of the amount of matter that makes up an object; a property of matter **Matter :** everything that has mass and takes up space **Pattern : ** something that happens in a regular and repeated way **Scale :**the size, extent, or importance (magnitude) of something relative to something else **Science : ** all knowledge gained from experiments ## Lexile(R) Certified Non-Fiction Science Reading (Excerpt) **Matter in Space ** Scientists have learned that the planets, stars, and other objects in space share some characteristics. For example, they are all made of matter. Matter is everything that has mass and takes up space. The sun and moon are made of matter. Even the air around you is a collection of different kinds of matter. Matter is made up of tiny parts that are too small to be seen. These parts are called atoms. Many billions of atoms make up even a single grain of sand. Atoms can join together in different ways. The different ways that atoms join together make all of the matter in the universe. Two or more atoms joined together are called molecules. An element is a substance entirely made up of one kind of atom. Helium gas is an element. Hydrogen is another element. Hydrogen and helium are the main elements that make up stars. There are 118 different kinds of elements. Each element has its own properties. Scientists work with elements and not atoms. Nobody has ever seen a single atom. They are so tiny and fast that no camera has been able to take a good picture. Think about a grapefruit. If each atom in the grapefruit were the size of a blueberry, the whole grapefruit would be the size of Earth. There are so many atoms in just one grapefruit that they are impossible to count. Imagine having to fill up the entire planet with blueberries. That’s about how many atoms are in one grapefruit. ![structure-of-matter](https://www.knowatom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/structure-of-matter.jpg?width=255&height=340&name=structure-of-matter.jpg) ![structure-of-matter1](https://www.knowatom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/structure-of-matter1.jpg?width=248&height=340&name=structure-of-matter1.jpg) ![structure-of-matter2](https://www.knowatom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/structure-of-matter2.jpg?width=281&height=340&name=structure-of-matter2.jpg) ## Hands-on Science Activity In this lesson, students create a large-scale aluminum atom model to observe the basic structure of an atom. Students use their atom models to explain how all matter that we can see, including air and water, is made up of tiny particles that we cannot see. [ Learn More About KnowAtom ](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum) ## Science Assessments KnowAtom incorporates formative and summative assessments designed to make students thinking visible for deeper student-centered learning. - Vocabulary Check - Lab Checkpoints - Concept Check Assessment  - Concept Map Assessment  - And More... [Download a Sample Unit ](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum#state) ![Screenshot (7)](https://www.knowatom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%20(7).png?width=352&height=410&name=Screenshot%20(7).png) ![alabama state standard](https://www.knowatom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Alabama-State-Standards-Alignment-1.png?width=540&height=402&name=Alabama-State-Standards-Alignment-1.png) ###### See How KnowAtom Aligns to NGSS Science Standards Discover hands-on screens-off core science curriculum for student centered K-8 classrooms. KnowAtom supports classrooms with all hands-on materials, curriculum, and professional development to support mastery of the standards. [Download the Alignment to NGSS](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum) ** Standards Tags: ** [5-PS1-1](https://www.knowatom.com/5-ps1-1) , [5.2.1](https://www.knowatom.com/5.2.1) , [3.PS1.1](https://www.knowatom.com/3.ps1.1) , [3.PS1.3](https://www.knowatom.com/3.ps1.3) , [5.PS1.1](https://www.knowatom.com/5.ps1.1) , [5.PS1.2](https://www.knowatom.com/5.ps1.2) , [5.PS1.4](https://www.knowatom.com/5.ps1.4) , [S5P1](https://www.knowatom.com/s5p1) , [5.P1U1.1](https://www.knowatom.com/5.p1u1.1) , [5P.3.1.1.1](https://www.knowatom.com/5p.3.1.1.1) , [3.PS1.A.1](https://www.knowatom.com/3.ps1.a.1) , [5.PS1.A.1](https://www.knowatom.com/5.ps1.a.1) , [3.PS.1](https://www.knowatom.com/3.ps.1) , [3.2.5.A](https://www.knowatom.com/3.2.5.a) , [3.PS.2](https://www.knowatom.com/3.ps.2) , [3.5.3-5.GG](https://www.knowatom.com/3.5.3-5.gg) , [3.5.3-5.HH](https://www.knowatom.com/3.5.3-5.hh) , [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models) , [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions) , [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information) , [Structure and Properties of Matter](https://www.knowatom.com/structure-and-properties-of-matter) , [Scale Proportion and Quantity](https://www.knowatom.com/scale-proportion-and-quantity) , [Matter and Its Interactions 1](https://www.knowatom.com/matter-and-its-interactions-1) , ### Supports Grade 3 #### Science Standards - [5-PS1-1](https://www.knowatom.com/5-ps1-1) - [5.2.1](https://www.knowatom.com/5.2.1) - [3.PS1.1](https://www.knowatom.com/3.ps1.1) - [3.PS1.3](https://www.knowatom.com/3.ps1.3) - [5.PS1.1](https://www.knowatom.com/5.ps1.1) - [5.PS1.2](https://www.knowatom.com/5.ps1.2) - [5.PS1.4](https://www.knowatom.com/5.ps1.4) - [S5P1](https://www.knowatom.com/s5p1) - [5.P1U1.1](https://www.knowatom.com/5.p1u1.1) - [5P.3.1.1.1](https://www.knowatom.com/5p.3.1.1.1) - [3.PS1.A.1](https://www.knowatom.com/3.ps1.a.1) - [5.PS1.A.1](https://www.knowatom.com/5.ps1.a.1) - [3.PS.1](https://www.knowatom.com/3.ps.1) - [3.2.5.A](https://www.knowatom.com/3.2.5.a) - [3.PS.2](https://www.knowatom.com/3.ps.2) - [3.5.3-5.GG](https://www.knowatom.com/3.5.3-5.gg) - [3.5.3-5.HH](https://www.knowatom.com/3.5.3-5.hh) - [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models) - [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions) - [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information) - [Structure and Properties of Matter](https://www.knowatom.com/structure-and-properties-of-matter) - [Scale Proportion and Quantity](https://www.knowatom.com/scale-proportion-and-quantity) - [Matter and Its Interactions 1](https://www.knowatom.com/matter-and-its-interactions-1) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f) Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it. ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "USA", "addressLocality" : "Salem", "addressRegion" : "MA", "postalCode" : "01970", "streetAddress" : "27 Congress Suite 410" }, "alternateName" : "KA", "areaServed" : { "@type" : "GeoCircle", "geoMidpoint" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : "+42.5182274", "longitude" : "-70.8877569" }, "geoRadius" : "150 km" }, "description" : "Next Generation Science STEM Curriculum", "email" : "fvigeant@knowatom.com", "image" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KA-GSD.png", "logo" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Knowatom-2017/Image/logo-1.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/structure-of-matter", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "Explore the structure of matter in 3rd grade science, focusing on atoms, their properties, and hands-on activities to enhance student understanding." }, "name" : "KnowAtom", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/KnowAtom", "https://twitter.com/KnowAtom", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS0rbN0RfqaU1xaISrdVpTA", "https://plus.google.com/110709105138117096940" ], "telephone" : "(617) 475-3475", "url" : "https://www.knowatom.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.knowatom.com", "name" : "Home", "position" : 1 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos", "name" : "Science Phenomena Videos", "position" : 2 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science", "name" : "3Rd Grade Science", "position" : 3 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/structure-of-matter", "name" : "Structure Of Matter", "position" : 4 } ] } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : [ "WebPage", "LearningResource" ], "description" : "Explore the structure of matter in 3rd grade science, focusing on atoms, their properties, and hands-on activities to enhance student understanding.", "educationalLevel" : "Elementary School", "learningResourceType" : [ "lesson plan", "hands-on activity", "phenomena video" ], "name" : "G3U1L1A Structure of Matter", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "KnowAtom", "url" : "https://www.knowatom.com" }, "teaches" : [ "life cycle", "metamorphosis", "pollination" ], "url" : "https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/structure-of-matter" } ```