Activity Overview
Get your students to show off their creativity by making a narrative storyboard telling an imaginative story about a particle going through various state changes. This activity reminds students that the particles that make up solid ice, liquid water, and gaseous steam are the same type of particles. Students often have the misconception that particles change when they change state.
Differentiate this activity by deleting the information from the particle section of the example storyboard, leaving the first row completed in a template for students to fill in. Alternatively, have students start with a blank T-Chart and let your students’ imaginations run wild. This activity can be tied into a lesson on the water cycle, with the water particle being evaporated, condensed, and then freezing and falling back to Earth as a snowflake or raindrop.
PLEASE NOTE: The example storyboard uses different shades of blue to emphasize the particles in different states and NOT to suggest they are different types of particles.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Demonstrate your understanding of the states of matter by creating a narrative storyboard. Tell the story of a water particle and explain what happens as the particle changes state. You should include all three states of matter and at least two state changes. Make sure you talk about the changes in thermal energy and how this affects the kinetic energy of the particle.
Explain what is happening in the real world and what is happening at the particle level. If you want, put faces on your particles and even give them names!
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vizualisations | All the visualizations are easy to understand and help in telling the story. | Some of the visualizations are easy to understand. | Not many of the visualizations are easy to understand. |
| Content | The story shows particles in all three states correctly and describes changes between them. | The story shows particles in two of the three states correctly and describes changes between them. | The story shows particles in one of the three states correctly. |
| Creativity | The work is highly creative. It could be used as an exemplary model. | Creativity is evident. | Creativity is not evident. |
| Conventions | There are only minor errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage, if any. | There are few errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage. | There are many errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
Get your students to show off their creativity by making a narrative storyboard telling an imaginative story about a particle going through various state changes. This activity reminds students that the particles that make up solid ice, liquid water, and gaseous steam are the same type of particles. Students often have the misconception that particles change when they change state.
Differentiate this activity by deleting the information from the particle section of the example storyboard, leaving the first row completed in a template for students to fill in. Alternatively, have students start with a blank T-Chart and let your students’ imaginations run wild. This activity can be tied into a lesson on the water cycle, with the water particle being evaporated, condensed, and then freezing and falling back to Earth as a snowflake or raindrop.
PLEASE NOTE: The example storyboard uses different shades of blue to emphasize the particles in different states and NOT to suggest they are different types of particles.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Demonstrate your understanding of the states of matter by creating a narrative storyboard. Tell the story of a water particle and explain what happens as the particle changes state. You should include all three states of matter and at least two state changes. Make sure you talk about the changes in thermal energy and how this affects the kinetic energy of the particle.
Explain what is happening in the real world and what is happening at the particle level. If you want, put faces on your particles and even give them names!
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vizualisations | All the visualizations are easy to understand and help in telling the story. | Some of the visualizations are easy to understand. | Not many of the visualizations are easy to understand. |
| Content | The story shows particles in all three states correctly and describes changes between them. | The story shows particles in two of the three states correctly and describes changes between them. | The story shows particles in one of the three states correctly. |
| Creativity | The work is highly creative. It could be used as an exemplary model. | Creativity is evident. | Creativity is not evident. |
| Conventions | There are only minor errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage, if any. | There are few errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage. | There are many errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
How Tos about Water Particle Narrative
How to use real-world examples to reinforce states of matter concepts
Connect classroom learning to everyday experiences by discussing how water changes state in familiar settings, such as melting ice in a drink or steam from a kettle. This makes science more relatable and memorable for students.
Ask students to share personal observations of state changes
Encourage students to recall times they've seen ice melt, water boil, or frost form. Sharing personal stories boosts engagement and helps cement understanding.
Display photos or short videos of water changing states
Show visual examples—like time-lapse clips of ice cubes melting or clouds forming—to help students link particle-level changes to real-world phenomena. Visual aids support diverse learning styles.
Lead a class discussion connecting particle behavior to observations
Facilitate a group chat about what is happening at the particle level during each change students observed. This bridges the gap between macroscopic and microscopic perspectives.
Assign a quick reflection or drawing activity
Have students sketch or write a short explanation of a real-world state change, describing both what they see and what's happening with the particles. This reinforces learning and checks for understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions about Water Particle Narrative
What is a water particle narrative activity for students?
A water particle narrative activity asks students to create a story or storyboard about a water particle as it changes states—solid, liquid, and gas. This helps students understand that the particle itself stays the same, and only its state and energy change.
How can I teach the states of matter using a storyboard?
Use a narrative storyboard where students illustrate and describe a water particle moving through different states (ice, water, steam). Encourage them to add details about energy changes and real-world processes, like evaporation or condensation.
What are common misconceptions about water particles changing state?
A common misconception is that water particles themselves change when moving between ice, water, and steam. In reality, the particles remain the same; only their arrangement and movement change as energy is added or removed.
Why is it important to include thermal and kinetic energy in a states of matter lesson?
Explaining thermal and kinetic energy helps students understand why particles move differently in solids, liquids, and gases, making the science behind state changes clearer and more meaningful.
What are some creative ways to differentiate a water particle storyboard lesson?
You can differentiate by giving students a partially completed template, having them fill in missing information, or letting them design their own T-Chart. Encourage creativity by allowing them to name their particles or add faces.
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States of Matter
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