Classifying of Matter Teaching Resources
Teach students how to classify matter as pure substances or mixtures with engaging activities aligned with the NGSS curriculum.
This collection of printable and digital worksheets, experiments and activities was created by the teachers of the Teach Starter team to save you time on your lesson plans. That means you'll find resources already carefully reviewed by an expert teacher, plus editable options so you can make the adjustments you need to meet your students' needs.
Need some help with your lesson plans? Read on for a guide from our teacher team, including handy definitions of pure substances and mixtures to share with your students.
How Is Matter Classified?
Before you can dive into actually classifying matter, it helps to explain to students what it actually means to classify matter. Here's a helpful explanation from our teacher team that you can use with your class:
Classifying matter is how we organise different types of matter using its properties or characteristics to help us separate the types into different groupings.
We can classify all the matter around us into just two separate types:
- Pure substances
- Mixtures
What Is a Pure Substance? A Kid-Friendly Definition
Let's break down pure substances in a way your science classes can understand, shall we?
A pure substance has the following characteristics that help us with classification:
- It is made up of only one type of matter.
- It cannot be separated into other substances by physical means.
Pure substance can be broken down into two categories:
- Elements — These are substances made up of just one kind of atom and cannot be broken down or transformed by a chemical reaction. For example, helium is an element that we classify as a pure substance.
- Compounds — A compound is made up of two or more elements that have bonded together to form one. These elements are chemically bonded together and cannot be separated. Water is a compound that we classify as a pure substance as its elements — hydrogen and oxygen — are bonded together.
What Is a Mixture? A Kid-Friendly Definition
If a pure substance is comprised of just one type of matter and cannot be broken down, it might not surprise your students to hear that mixtures have the opposite characteristics.
A mixture:
- Is made up of two or more different types of matter
- Can be separated by physical means
A kid-friendly example of a mixture is a bowl of milk and cereal. There are two different types of matter in the bowl, and you can separate the two types (although it might get messy!).
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Mixtures and Solutions Worksheet
Worksheet that focuses on the differences between a solution and a mixture.
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Color the Periodic Table - Worksheet and Poster
Color the periodic table with a printable color-coding worksheet.
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Mixtures and Solutions – Poster Pack
Display information about mixtures and solutions with this set of science posters.
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Mixtures and Solutions Sort
Distinguish between mixtures and solutions with this 24-card sorting activity.
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Mixtures PowerPoint Presentation
With this teaching presentation, students will be able to compare and contrast a variety of mixtures, including solutions.
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Mixture or Solution? – Cut & Paste Worksheet
Categorize substances according to if they are a mixture or a solution with this cut-and-paste worksheet.
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Mixtures Worksheet
A worksheet to practice identifying mixtures and their components.
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Physical and Chemical Properties of Substances - Sorting Task
A sorting task relating to physical and chemical properties of substances.
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Pure Substances and Mixtures – Separation Techniques Posters
A set of 6 separation techniques posters.
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What Are Pure Substances and Mixtures? (Classroom Pack)
Explore pure substances and mixtures with a printable classroom pack that includes posters and comprehension worksheets.
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Physical Properties of Metals – Teaching Slides for 6th Grade
Explore and learn about different properties of metals such as luster, ductility, conductivity and malleability with this set of teaching slides.
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Mixtures and Solutions – Station Cards
Determine if a combination of ingredients makes a mixture or solution during your science centers with this set of station cards.
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Mixtures & Solutions – Vocabulary Cards
Reinforce science vocabulary in your classroom with this set of word wall cards that focus on mixtures and solutions.
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Science Elements Match-Up Activity
A set of 30 match-up cards to practice working with elements and compounds.
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Elements Foldable
A foldable to use when learning about elements.
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Elements Vocabulary - Crossword Puzzle
A crossword puzzle to practice terms associated with elements.
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Pure Substances and Mixtures Science PowerPoint
A 30 slide editable PowerPoint Template for teaching a chemistry unit on pure substances, mixtures and separating techniques.
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Make an Eggshell Disappear - Science Experiment Booklet
Investigate chemical reactions with this hands-on experiment booklet.
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Pure Substances and Mixtures Teaching Resource Pack
A 17 page resource pack to use when teaching a chemistry unit on pure substances, mixtures and separating techniques.
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Pure Substances and Mixtures - Vocabulary Worksheet
A vocabulary matching task relating to pure substances and mixtures.
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Pure Substances and Mixtures - Teaching Resource Pack
A collection of teaching resources to use when teaching a chemistry unit on pure substances, mixtures and separating techniques.
Water Experiments for Kids That Are a Big Hit in the Classroom
Teach kids about density, refraction of light, and more with these fun water experiments for kids that are easy to create in the classroom.