Reception Science: Asking Questions About Solids, Liquids and Gases Lesson Pack

Encourage curiosity and scientific thinking with this Reception states of matter lesson. Children investigate unusual materials, explore temperature changes and ask questions about the world around them using the sentence stem I wonder why…?

Through practical investigations involving oobleck, water balloons and everyday materials, children learn to ask questions, make observations and discuss their ideas. The lesson develops scientific enquiry skills while helping children build their understanding of solids, liquids and gases.

What is included in this Reception science lesson?

• Interactive teaching slides featuring Solid Sam, Liquid Lila and Gassy Gustavo
• I Wonder Why prompt to support scientific questioning
• Oobleck recipe and hands-on investigation activity
• Warm and cold water balloon investigation
• Rice pouring and container comparison activity
• Discussion prompts to encourage observation and reasoning
• Full lesson plan with teacher-led, independent and continuous provision activities

Developing curiosity and scientific enquiry

This lesson focuses on the working scientifically skill of being curious and asking questions. Children investigate materials, make predictions and discuss what they notice using simple scientific vocabulary. Activities encourage children to explore, wonder and share their ideas with others.

By experimenting with oobleck, comparing warm and cold water balloons and exploring how materials behave, children begin to understand that not all substances act in the same way.

EYFS learning opportunities

• Understanding the World: Exploring materials and their properties
• Communication and Language: Asking questions and discussing observations
• Mathematics: Comparing quantities and exploring capacity
• Physical Development: Pouring, mixing, squeezing and manipulating materials

This lesson forms part of our Reception States of Matter science unit within the EYFS Science Scheme. The unit helps children develop scientific vocabulary, enquiry skills and an understanding of materials through practical investigations.