Grades 4–5
Chemistry Words
Match mixture, solution, dissolve, physical change, chemical change and evaporate to their meanings.
Science worksheet · Mixtures and changes
Separate a Mixture
Match five tools to how they separate a mix of sand, salt, rice and paper clips, then put the steps in order.
- Grade level
- Grades 3–5
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Topic
- Mixtures and changes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Mixtures and solutions, Physical and chemical changes, Dissolving
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- Someone mixed sand, salt, rice and steel paper clips in one jar. Scientists separate mixtures by using what is different about each part.
- 1. Draw a line from each tool to its job.
- 2. Number the steps in order.
- Stir the sand and salt into water.
- Use the magnet to pull out the paper clips.
- Set the salty water in the sun until the water is gone.
- Pour the rest through a strainer to catch the rice.
Teacher tip
Do the separation for real with a magnet, a sieve and water.
How to use it
- Stir salt, sand and sugar into clear cups of water before the sheet.
- Show a physical change (cutting paper) and a chemical one (a fizzing tablet).
- Start with a two-minute “I notice, I wonder” talk about the picture on the sheet.
Watch for
Dissolved doesn’t mean gone. The salt is still in the water.
Talk about it
- How could you get the salt back out of the water?
- How could we find out if that is true?
Take it further
Make trail mix and talk about why it is a mixture.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More mixtures and changes worksheets
Grades 3–5
Physical or Chemical Change?
Sort ten changes into physical changes and chemical changes, then explain one.
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