The document introduces the concept that air is a substance that surrounds us, takes up space, and whose movement we feel as wind. It provides activities for students to explore these properties of air through using paper to feel air movement, blowing up balloons to see how air takes up space, and copying statements about the properties of air onto individual pieces of paper. The overall purpose is for students to begin investigating and explaining the fundamental properties that define air.

1. Standard Indicator 4.3.2 Begin to investigate and explain that air is a substance that surrounds us, takes up space, and whose movements we feel as wind.

2. Air is Everywhere Materials: Paper Pencils Balloons Puzzling Air Questions Science Journal

3. Pre-Activity Discussion Where is air? Is there air touching you right now? What keeps a kite up in the sky? When air moves outside, what do we call it?

4. Definition Air is a substance that surrounds us, takes up space, and whose movement we feel as wind .

5. Air Movement Take out a scrap piece of paper. “How can you use air to move your paper from one side of your desk to the other?” Test your ideas. Did the air move? How? Is air all around us?

6. Air takes up Space Look at a deflated balloon. “Do you know a way to make this balloon bigger?”

7. Air takes up Space There are several ways to make a balloon bigger, but try only using air. Stretch out the balloon and blow air into it. As you blow up the balloon, does the balloon get bigger? What is taking up space inside the balloon? Compare the deflated balloon with the inflated balloon.

8. Puzzling Air Questions Copy each of the following statements on separate pieces of paper: Air surrounds us. Air takes up space. We feel air’s movements as wind.