Changing States Sort Worksheet is a hands-on activity that helps students explore the three states of matter - solid, liquid and gas - by sorting real-world objects and identifying their physical state. This engaging task supports students’ understanding of observable properties and introduces them to the idea that materials can change between states under certain conditions.

Designed for Foundation and early primary learners, this visual classification activity encourages students to make real-world connections as they examine how everyday objects behave. By cutting, sorting and pasting picture cards into labelled categories, students practise recognising solids, liquids and gases, and begin to think about how these states can change, such as melting ice, evaporating water or inflating a balloon. This resource works well during science rotations, small group investigations or as a review task during a unit on materials and their properties.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Identify objects as solid, liquid or gas based on observable features
• ✅ Understand how materials can change state through melting, freezing or evaporation
• ✅ Classify objects accurately using visual cues and scientific reasoning
• ✅ Use vocabulary such as “solid”, “liquid”, “gas”, “evaporate”, “melt” and “freeze” in context
• ✅ Develop early science inquiry skills through discussion, observation and classification

What’s Included:

• Changing States Sort Worksheet with three labelled sorting boxes (solid, liquid, gas)
• Cut-and-paste picture cards showing everyday materials in each state of matter
• Black and white format for easy photocopying and student personalisation

Materials Needed:

• Printed worksheets and picture card pages
• Scissors and glue sticks
• Optional: real-world examples of solids, liquids and gases for demonstration

How to Use:

• Begin with a class discussion or video to introduce the three states of matter
• Show examples of materials in each state using real objects or interactive visuals
• Distribute the worksheet and picture cards to each student
• Students cut out the cards and decide which category each object fits into: solid, liquid or gas
• Glue the cards into the correct boxes and review as a class, prompting students to explain their choices
• Extend discussion by exploring how some materials can change from one state to another

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use during your Chemical Sciences unit as part of a lesson on material properties and changes
• 💡 Incorporate into a science station with real-life items and matching cards
• 💡 Challenge students to brainstorm additional examples and create new cards to sort
• 💡 Lead a simple experiment (e.g., melting chocolate or freezing water) to make the learning more concrete

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Let students personalise their experience by colouring each card and adding captions or speech bubbles
• 💛 Select this task as a quick and effective check-in for formative assessment during your unit
• 💛 Send home a version with blank boxes for students to sort household objects and discuss with family members

Changing States Sort Worksheet is a simple yet powerful tool for introducing the states of matter through observation and sorting. With bright visuals, hands-on interaction and plenty of room for extension, this resource helps students build a solid foundation in science while having fun.