Changed for Good? Physical and Chemical Changes

About This Resource

A complete Grade 5 science lesson pack on physical and chemical changes: changes of state, shape and size, signs of a chemical change (gas, color change, temperature change, light, a new smell or a precipitate), reversible and irreversible changes, conservation of mass and everyday examples. Includes a lesson plan, worksheet, quiz, homework, A5 flashcards, a rubric, detailed slides with speaker notes, Word files and answer keys.

Overview

Students learn to tell the difference between a physical change, where a substance changes form but stays the same substance (ice melting, paper cut, sugar dissolving), and a chemical change, where a new substance forms (iron rusting, wood burning, a cake baking). They use the signs of a chemical change as evidence, sort everyday examples, read about the baking soda and vinegar reaction, learn that mass is conserved and explain their reasoning.

Resource Details

Subject: Science
Topic: Physical and Chemical Changes
Category: Materials & Matter
File Type: PDF
File Size: 361.2 KB
Published: 31 Oct 2026
Downloads: 0

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Grade 5 (ages 10–11) 55 minutes Physical science observing classifying using evidence explaining

Learning Objectives

Explain the difference between a physical change and a chemical change.
Use evidence such as gas, color change and temperature change to identify chemical changes.
Explain that mass is conserved during physical and chemical changes.

How to Use This Resource

Show the slides and do a quick demonstration: tear paper, then mix baking soda and vinegar.
Use the flashcards to teach the key words, then complete the worksheet.
Use the quiz to check learning and send the kitchen changes homework; answers are in the answer keys.

Classroom Activity Ideas

Fizz test: mix baking soda and vinegar in a bag and observe gas, temperature and bubbles.
Change stations: students rotate between melting ice, dissolving salt, rusting nails (set up earlier) and a sliced apple browning.
Mass check: weigh a sealed bag with baking soda and a cup of vinegar before and after mixing.

Differentiation

Support: use picture cards for each sign of chemical change. Challenge: explain why dissolving salt is physical even though the salt seems to disappear.

Assessment

The worksheet and quiz check classifying and evidence (answer keys included). Use the rubric for explanations and the homework observations.

Teacher Tips

Ask "Is it still the same stuff?" If yes, it is a physical change. If a new substance was made, it is a chemical change. Then look for evidence.

What's Included

11-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
Key vocabulary list (7 words with meanings and examples)
Student worksheet (5 activities)
Quiz / assessment (3 parts)
Homework practice page
Printable flashcards: 7 A5 picture cards (separate PDF)
Assessment rubric (4 levels)
Lesson slides (editable PowerPoint)
Editable Word version of all student pages
Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)