Science 3 - Matter Videos

Duration: 4:56

Synopsis: This is an excellent balance of the explanation of what takes place in a smudging (what is burned and what it is burned in) while also discussing the cultural interpretations of a smudging. There are other links to science discussed in the ceremony (the direction of the rising and setting sun) and the cultural links that are made to such directions.

Duration: 5:43

Synopsis: This video has a woman who is skilled in the trade of making mukluks walk through the process in creating them. She discusses everything from what the various parts of a mukluk can be made from, to the historic means by which mukluks were made prior to the Inuit having modern tools. 

Duration: 2:09

Synopsis: This brief video is an overview of how to build an igloo. It is a narrative of an Inuit grandfather teaching his grandchildren how to properly build an igloo. 

Duration: 3:24

Synopsis: Two sets of stories told by two elders, these elder from Vancouver Island explain the various plants that they seek out to use as remedies. One of the key points within this video (that is only mentioned as one quick sentence) as that the vast majority of modern/Western medicines have their origins in the traditional use of plants.

Duration: 2:40

Synopsis: Taken from a clip of what appears to be a National Geographic reality TV series, this video includes a nice animation that really simplifies the explanation of the process of setting up a teepee. 

Duration: 2:39

Synopsis: Though there is no narration in this video, it shows, from beginning to end, the making of a birch bark canoe. The only modern tools that can be noted in the video are a manual drill, an axe, and a spring clamp; those aside, this entire boat is built is it may have been built prior to the arrival of Europeans. It is worth narrating this yourself to point out to students the science behind such components as the waterproofing of the canoe. 

Duration: 4:26

Synopsis: Even though I would argue that the proper enunciation of bitumen places the emphasis on the first syllable, overall this is a really great and yet succinct video on the creation of asphalt. More importantly, the proper enunciation of asphalt (which students so often seem to call "ash-fault") is pronounced perfectly right; this is what really matters as the focal theme of this video.

Duration: 12:05

Synopsis: While the entire video may seem a bit long for grade three students due to all of its content (and the fact it certainly wasn't made for grade three students) the two chapters within this video really worth showing them to help them understand this process are the chapters titled "How Trees Become Paper" and "How Paper Becomes Cardboard."

Duration: 5:50

Synopsis: This video doesn't really go into depth on the concrete side, but it does make mention that cement is the essential ingredient in order to create some concrete. What is great about this video is that the students may be able to associate with some of the views in the mountains; this video was created by LaFarge on their quarry right beside Lac des Arc alongside Highway 1 that you can see when driving to or from Canmore/Banff.

Duration: 4:36

Synopsis: What is great about this video on the production of glass is that the host discusses that we might categorize glass in a similar way to objects that are made of wood or stone, but then really poses the question--where does glass come from? He answers that question through a demonstration of the process of making glass. 

Duration: 6:00

Synopsis: This is great combination of both the history of plastics combined with the modern production of plastics. What is nice about this video is it illustrates oil pumpjacks as the initial step in the creation of plastics; this allows students to see why between seeing pumpjacks and the steam from the Joffree plant, that we have many steps in the production of plastics near us in Red Deer.

Duration: 2:49

Synopsis: This is a video that takes an incredibly complex process, and manages to show students the idea that steel is a combination of refined elements in a matter of minutes. If you would like one that spends a bit more time on the individual steps in steel making, this video is well-done as well, if you're willing to forgive a few spelling mistakes.

Duration: 22:41

Synopsis: This video certainly goes over not only the states of matter, but discusses all of the pahse changes included in the curriculum as well.

Duration: 7:18

Synopsis: This video leads into the states of matter by giving a good basic introduction of what matter is, and then moving along to matter. The only small problem I have with this video (that you can pass along to your students if you like) is that the main character defines matter as some thing that has "weight and takes up space;" the scientific definition is that it has "mass and takes up space." That mistake aside, this video does a good job of covering the basics.

Duration: 3:53

Synopsis: To make up for my critique of the previous video on using the term "weight" instead of "mass," this video is much the same, except uses the term "mass" properly when defining matter. At about the one-minute mark, this video also has a table that you may find most useful to fill out with your students. 

Duration: 3:24

Synopsis: This a great video in that it takes all the key ideas of the water cycle and teaches them not only once, but twice to the viewer. The only words that are ever on the screen are words that are closely associated with the water cycle, and as a result, the emphasis on these key words to understand the water cycle is established. 

Duration: 22:45

Synopsis: Much like many of his other videos, Bill Nye certainly revisits the key ideas surrounding the water cycle in a multitude of ways in this one. Note: Though this video appears to be about thirty minutes when you click on it, the last part is a repeat of the beginning.

Duration: 3:08

Synopsis: This video touches on some of the key pieces of vocabulary, and gives some good examples of seeing the water cycle taking place. 

Duration: 2:38

Synopsis: You know that some effort has been put into a science song when it has harmonizing voices on the choruses, and when the words to the song light up as you sing along. This one is likely my favourite, but the vocabulary/speed of the words might be a little tricky for some grade three students.

Duration: 1:58

Synopsis: Much like the previous video, this one is similar in that it has the lyrics clearly at the bottom of the screen. Though the music may not seem quite as original, this one (of these three) likely has the fewest lyrics, therefore not rushing students to read lyrics too much.

Duration: 2:39

Synopsis: This one does not have lyrics clearly written at the bottom, but this can be solved with some closed captioning. This one has some verses that are abundant in lyrics, and perhaps a bit quick, but it certainly covers more than all the content that students need to know in grade three, for all of those with really curious minds.

Duration: 7:30

Synopsis: This video does a great job of not only discussing key differences between physical and chemical changes, but also illustrating such examples (and differences) and using simple written lists of information throughout the video.

Duration: ~6:30

Synopsis: You'll see right off the bat that this video is just over ten minutes long, but the last four minutes are a quiz that could be given to the class. The first six minutes or so is a visually diverse collection of examples of both physical and chemical changes to help your students understand why physical changes are reversible, while chemical changes are not.

Duration: 3:50

Synopsis: This video is the second part in a two-part series; if you would like to see the video on physical changes, it places a greater emphasis on the components of mixtures, and can be found here. This video focuses on chemical changes, and really looks at why when baking something (as an example of a chemical change) the product cannot be returned to its original reactants (ingredients).