SCIENCE MATTERS:
COMPOUNDS AND MIXTURES

COMPOUNDS AND MIXTURES LESSON PLAN

Materials:

• Compounds and Mixtures Worksheet
• Vary, but include common household items.

Classroom Activity:  Identifying Mixtures and Compounds
Prepare a variety of mixtures and compounds for the students to identify as one of the following:

• Mixture—Solution
• Mixture—Suspension
• Mixture—Colloid
• Compound

Preparation: 
Many different mixtures and compounds can be prepared.  The following list is provided as suggested materials that may be used:

Mixture—Solution:
Sugar in Water (heating the water may be required to fully dissolve the sugar)
Lemon Juice in Water

Mixture—Suspension:
Italian Salad Dressing (or other oil and vinegar salad dressing)
Raisins and Cereal
Sand and Rocks
Carbonated Soda

Mixture—Colloid:
Shaving Cream
Marshmallows
Milk

Compound:
Baking soda and vinegar (allow students to combine, or combine in from of them)
Water
Salt
Sugar

Activity:

Separate students into groups of 3-6 and have them go to 6-8 different stations, each having a different unknown mixture or compound.  Have them decide which label fits each mixture or compound and write the correct label on a sheet of paper that they will turn in to you after they have completed the exercise.