What is That Powder:

L. Veiga, Grade 5: Lesson 3 of 6

(This lesson plan is based on a class of 20 students)

I expect this lesson to take 1 session, about 60 minutes. This lesson is to introduce the concept of
making observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties, both
chemical and physical. They will use the activities to make observations of the chemical and
physical changes to six different white powders by testing them with three different liquids,
iodine, water and vinegar. Students will record their observations on their “What is That Powder
Testing Chart Observations”. Once teams have finished with their observations, we will come
back as a class and discuss their observations.

NGSS targets:
DCI: Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their
5-PS1-3 properties. [Clarification Statement: Examples of materials to be identified could include
baking soda and other powders, metals, minerals, and liquids. Examples of properties
could include color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity,
response to magnetic forces, and solubility; density is not intended as an identifiable
property.] [ssment Boundary: Assessment does not include density or distinguishing mass
and weight.]

CCC: Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

● Standard units are used to measure and describe physical quantities such as
weight, time, temperature, and volume. (5-PS1-3)

SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

● Make observations and measurements to produce data to serve as the basis for
evidence for an explanation of a phenomenon. (5-PS1-3)

Student Learning Objectives

1. Students will test and make observations to identify materials based on their physical and
chemical properties.
2. Students will use information from the physical and chemical properties of the white
powders to identify what the mystery powder is.

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Engage
Start the class off by having the students get into their science groups.

Teacher Note: Ask questions about matter:

-Can anyone remind us what matter is?

-What are some examples of matter?

-What are some example of something that is not matter?

-Can you see matter taking up space?

-Does matter have weight?

Hold up a bag of flour and a bag of brown sugar:

Ask:

-Who knows what these are?

-What are some similarities?

-What are some differences?

Today you all have been selected to begin training for the CIA! But first there is a test! A test to
see if you can figure out what exactly is in this bag labeled Extremely Dangerous!! You are going
to be observing and testing different types of white substances and their reactions in order to
find out what exactly is in this Extremely Dangerous bag!

Teacher Note: Have students get into their science groups and remind them safety first. While
doing this investigation everyone must wear safety goggles and safety gloves at all times until
directed.

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Explore
Allow students to work in 5 groups of 4. Each group will get a box with the materials for their
investigation.

Teacher Note: Make sure to Print out Instruction page, Testing Chart, and What is That Powder
Testing Chart Observations for each person in the group and read them over with the class. (At
the end of the lesson plan)
Instructions for Training Investigation:
Step 1: Assign each member of your team a job.

Jobs:
1) Powder Collector
2) Liquid Dropper (Water, Iodine, and Vinegar)
3) pH Tester
4) Observation Collector ( you will write down group observations on “What is That
Powder Testing Chart Observations”)

Step 2: Powder Collector will carefully collect each powder substance on your groups Testing
Chart.
-Make sure that you fill in each box under the substance name with the substance.
Step 3: Once all substances are in each designated box, begin observations for each substance
in the Physical Appearance box under each powder.

- Observation Collector will write them down.

Salt:
Step 1: Using an eyedropper, the team member who is the Liquid Dropper will drop 2-3 drops of
water onto the salt. Observe what happens and Observation Collector, record your observations.
Step 2: Repeat this process with the other two liquids, which are vinegar and iodine.
• Repeat these steps for the remaining five powders.
pH Tester Job:
Step 1: On each powder, drop 2-3 drops of water on each powder.
Step 2: Gently place a pH strip on each powder and compare the reading to the pH chart.
Step 3: Record the pH.

Teachers Note:

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In the boxes:

-Four safety goggles

-Four pairs of safety gloves

-Testing Chart in a Ziploc bag (this is where they will place their powders, test each powder with
vinegar, water, and iodine, then test the pH of each powder)

- Four field guides called “What is That Powder; Testing Chart Observations (Here students will fill
out what they observe on their Testing Chart)

-Four magnifying glasses

- Three Dropper Bottles labeled: Water, Vinegar, and Iodine

- Six pH testing strips

At the front of the classroom set up a table that has all six powder substances:

- Six baggies labeled: Baking powder, Baking soda, Sugar, Salt, Corn Starch, and Borax

-½ teaspoon measuring spoon in each substance

Explain
Before Experiment:
- What is matter? What are the three types of matter we have been talking about?
- What is matter made up of?
- What is the “Big Idea” about matter?

After Experiment: Ask students as a class:

- What did you observe during the investigation?
- What can we conclude about these powders?
- What powders react right away to the the water? Iodine? Vinegar?
- Which powders are harder to tell apart?

Elaborate
Now that you have properly identified the physical and chemical properties of the six powders, it
is time for the real test. As a team, use your observations and perform the same steps in your

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previous investigation you just did on this mystery powder in the Extremely Dangerous bag.
Lets see who passes the test! First one to find out what the mystery powder is gets a prize! Fill
out the exit ticket with your answer.

Teacher Note: You don’t have to use prizes, come up with your own incentive. Make sure to print
out the Instructions for The Final Test.

Instructions for the Final Test:

Step 1: Collect the mystery powder from the Extremely Dangerous bag very carefully.
Step 2: Once you have collected your sample, begin observations of the substance based on its
Physical Appearance.
Step 3: Using an eyedropper, drop 2-3 drops of water onto the mystery powder. Observe what
happens.
Step 4: Repeat this process with the other two liquids, which are vinegar and iodine.
Step 5: pH Test
- On each powder, drop 2-3 drops of water on each powder.
- Gently place a pH strip on each powder and compare the reading to the pH chart.

Step 6: Now compare your mystery powder to the six powders you investigated earlier.

Step 7: Fill out Exit Ticket with your answer!

Evaluate
Formative: Student field guide containing their observations of chemical and physical changes
will be assessed throughout the exercise.

Summative: Students will fill out an exit ticket that will help me see if the students grasped the
concept that making observations and measurements can help identify materials based on their
properties.

5
 What is That Powder Testing Chart Observations

Describe what each substance looks like

Salt Sug Baki Baki Corn Bora

ar ng ng x
Star
Soda Pow ch
der

6
Physic
al

Appea
rance

Reac
tion

with

Wate
r

Reac
tion

with

Vine
gar

Reac
tion

with
Iodin
e

PH
Test

(with

wate

7
 r)

Testing Chart

White Salt Sug Baki Baki Corn Bora

ar ng ng x
Powd Star
er Sod Pow ch
a der

Physica
l

Appear
ance

Reacti
on

with

water

Reacti
on

With

Vineg
ar

8
 Reacti
on

With

Iodine

Ph
Test

(with
water)

Instructions for Training Investigation:

Step 1: Assign each member of your team a job.

Jobs:
5) Powder Collector
6) Liquid Dropper (Water, Iodine, and Vinegar)
7) pH Tester
8) Observation Collector ( you will write down group observations on “What is That
Powder Testing Chart Observations”)

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Step 2: Powder Collector will carefully collect each powder substance on your groups Testing
Chart.
-Make sure that you fill in each box under the substance name with the substance.
Step 3: Once all substances are in each designated box, begin observations for each substance
in the Physical Appearance box under each powder.

- Observation Collector will write them down.

Salt:
Step 1: Using an eyedropper, the team member who is the Liquid Dropper will drop 2-3 drops of
water onto the salt. Observe what happens and Observation Collector, record your observations.
Step 2: Repeat this process with the other two liquids, which are vinegar and iodine.
• Repeat these steps for the remaining five powders.
pH Tester Job:
Step 1: On each powder, drop 2-3 drops of water on each powder.
Step 2: Gently place a pH strip on each powder and compare the reading to the pH chart.
Step 3: Record the pH.

Instructions for Final Test:

Step 1: Collect the mystery powder from the Extremely Dangerous bag very carefully.
Step 2: Once you have collected your sample, begin observations of the substance based on its
Physical Appearance.
Step 3: Using an eyedropper, drop 2-3 drops of water onto the mystery powder. Observe what
happens.
Step 4: Repeat this process with the other two liquids, which are vinegar and iodine.
Step 5: pH Test
- On each powder, drop 2-3 drops of water on each powder.
- Gently place a pH strip on each powder and compare the reading to the pH chart.

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Step 6: Now compare your mystery powder to the six powders you investigated earlier.

Step 7: Fill out Exit Ticket with your answer!

Name:______________

Exit Ticket!!
What is the mystery powder? Will you be the next CIA member?

__________________________________________

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 Reference

Royce, C. A. (2017, April/May). Matter All Around Us. Science and Children, 54(8), 22-28.

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