1666 TEKS header image

Knowledge and Skills Statement

Matter and its properties. The student knows that objects have physical properties that determine how they are described and classified.
Glossary terms and definitions are consistent across kindergarten through high school in the TEKS Guide. The definitions are intended to give educators a common understanding of the terms regardless of what grade level they teach. Glossary definitions are not intended for use with students.

observable characteristic of matter that can be used to identify particular materials

Research

Palmeri, Amy, Amanda Cole, Sarah DeLisle, Stacey, Erickson, and Jennifer Janes. “What’s the Matter With Teaching Children About Matter?” Science and Children 46, no. 4 (2008): 20–23. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43175007. 

Summary: In “What’s the Matter With Teaching Children About Matter?”, common misconceptions children may have about matter are explained, and instructional strategies to bridge that gap are provided. Children naturally use physical properties to describe matter, using words like "hard" and "thick" and describing odor. Students use their observations to classify matter.