Grade Levels: K-3

These classroom activities are designed to complement the Physical and Chemical Changes topic on BrainPOP Jr.

Paper
Give each student one or two pieces of scrap paper, newsprint, or pages from old magazines. Challenge them to work in groups to create as many physical changes for the paper as possible. They may want to tear, cut, or color on the piece of paper. They can crumble or even wet the paper too. Encourage students to be creative! Afterward, have each group share a few of their examples with the whole class. Then challenge the groups to think of how paper can go through chemical changes. They do not have to carry out the changes, only list their ideas. Have them share these with the class.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Demonstrate a chemical change for the whole class. Have students observe baking soda and vinegar in their separate bowls and write down the properties. Then combine the two together in a large bowl. (Be sure students stand away from the bowl.) What happens? Have students take notes, draw pictures, or even take photos. Explain that when baking soda and vinegar are combined, they go through a chemical change. Bubbles form because a gas is released, which is a byproduct of the chemical change!