NGSS science · 2nd grade

2-PS1-1 games

Sort materials by their observable properties.

2-PS1-1 is part of the Next Generation Science Standards. These 2 games practice it. Standards vary by state, so check with your kid’s teacher for the exact match.

The games

Sink or Float Sink or float, materials and their propertieskindergarten to 2nd grade
Solid, Liquid, Gas States of matter, melting, freezing and changing back1st and 2nd grade

Sink or Float: Things drop into a clear water tank with a splash. Kids predict sink or float, name what things are made of, describe properties like hard or bendy, pick the best material for a job, and see how shape changes whether something floats.

Solid, Liquid, Gas: In a kitchen lab, kids sort solids, liquids and gases, use clues to name a state, see what heating and cooling do (melting, freezing, boiling) and decide whether a change can be undone.

Practice it at home

Fill the sink and test things from around the house. Guess first, then drop them in.
Freeze water into ice and let it melt again, then talk about what changed and what can change back.