C Curriculum Explorer
Science·Matter & Materials·language

Changes & Separation Vocabulary

Use process vocabulary for changes of state and material separation — dissolve, solution, soluble, insoluble, evaporate, condense, melt, freeze, filter, sieve, mixture, separate — and understand precisely what each term describes, including the important distinction between dissolving and melting

Suggested ages 7–9

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Learning journey

Your child is investigating how materials behave — classifying substances by their properties, understanding why different materials are used for specific purposes, and exploring how heating and cooling can change materials.

Evidence of understanding

  • Distinguish 'dissolve' from 'melt' correctly in context and explain the difference
  • Use 'soluble' and 'insoluble' accurately when describing whether a material dissolves in water
  • Explain the difference between evaporation and condensation using the correct terms

Assessment prompt

If Changes & Separation Vocabulary stirs sugar into tea, can they explain whether the sugar dissolved or melted — and tell you those are different things?

Standards alignment

No external standards are linked to this topic.