CURRICULUM RESOURCES
Year 6 | Chemical sciences | Change detectives
What makes things change and what affects how fast they change? Why do some things burn more fiercely, rust more quickly or smell more strongly? The whole world is made up of particles that are constantly moving and reacting with one another in fascinating ways. Science seeks to understand why and how substances change, and this has led to advances in everything from food preservation to fire control.
The Change detectives unit is an ideal way to link science with literacy in the classroom. It provides opportunities for students to explore melting, evaporating, dissolving, reacting and burning. Students' understanding of the factors that influence the rate of change will be developed through hands-on activities and student-planned investigations. Students become detectives who identify and explain physical and chemical changes in everyday materials.
Unit at a glance (PDF)
Equipment lists (PDF)
Indigenous curriculum links (PDF)
Indigenous Perspectives framework (PDF)
Indigenous Perspectives Teaching and learning guide
Assessment resources
Factual and narrative texts
Useful websites
Mess scene investigation sample photos
In PrimaryConnections units, assessment is an ongoing and embedded process which enhances learning.
Recording and reporting tools included are:
- Assessment checklists (PDF) (DOC)
- Assessment rubrics (PDF) (DOC)
- Science journal/work sample tags (PDF) (DOC)
These tools provide only a snapshot of the variety of assessment and reporting methods that can be used in conjunction with PrimaryConnections.
Factual texts:
Changing state (My Zone Science series)
Quinn, Michael & Schaak, Monica (Ed) (Reed International Books, Australia, 2004, 24pp)
ISBN 1 74081 380 4
Chemical reactions (Building Blocks of Matter series)
Spilsbury, Louise and Richard (Heinemann, Australia, 2007, 32pp)
ISBN 1 40349345 6
Chemical reactions (Material matters series)
Baldwin, Carol (Raintree, Australia, 2004, 48pp)
ISBN 1410909360
Chemical reactions (Sci-Hi: Physical Science)
Hartman, Eve & Meshbesher, Wendy (Raintree, Australia, 2008, 48pp)
ISBN 1410932621
Fireworks!: Chemical reactions (Raintree Fusion: Physical Reactions)
Thomas, Isabel (Raintree, Australia, 2007, 32pp)
ISBN 1410926184
Materials and their properties (Project Science series)
Abraitis, Margaret et al. (Phoenix Education, Australia, 2005, 96pp)
ISBN 1 876580 92 5
KS2 Bitesize (BBC)
Interactive learning activities where students test their science knowledge with games and quizzes.
Brainpop
Interactive, animated and curriculum-based content that support educators and engages students.
Mess scene investigation sample photos
Salt in water
Melted chocolate
Burnt Chocolate
Ice-poles melting in clear wrapper
Sodium bicarbonate and Tartaric acid reacting in water
Frozen milk
Burning candle
Perfume bottle tipped over
Glass of water with fizzing tablet