Students learn that one kind of matter can change into another kind of matter through chemical changes, and that chemical changes are useful in many ways.
Students learn that everything that takes up space and has mass is made of matter.
Students learn how to describe matter and measure some of its properties. Students learn about physical changes. Students also learn that the three states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas, and that matter can change from one state to another. By the end of fourth grade, students will develop an understanding of the characteristics of objects and materials. Students compare the properties of an ice cube with those of liquid water and observe that the water changes its shape readily while the ice cube does not.