Describing Matter and Its Properties

It might be an old science joke, but it's still true that matter matters! This program defines matter as anything that has mass and volume—and, yes, it defines those terms, too, as well as many other basic physical science vocabulary words. In exploring various concepts, “you decide” critical thinking segments employ clear examples, such as the behavior of a soccer ball on the moon to demonstrate weight vs. mass, or explaining density by asking if it would hurt more to be hit with a ping-pong ball or a golf ball. While the physical properties of matter are thoroughly discussed, chemical properties are only briefly introduced with a few examples. The accompanying curriculum includes classroom activities in math, reading, and writing; summary assessments; and skill-development lessons. DVD extras include labeled slides and an iMovie project. Recommended. Aud: E, I. (E. Gieschen)