The upcoming TEKS featured will display removals and additions in bold to help build a better understanding of the
curriculum.
TEKS in Focus highlights key concepts and student expectations to assist educators in implementing the science
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The vertical progression of a concept within the science TEKS is
provided with a side-by-side view of the changes being implemented in 2024.
Focus: Vertical Alignment of Physical and Chemical Properties
Elementary
Prior TEKS TEKS Implementing in 2024
Kindergarten
K.5 Matter and energy. The student knows
that objects have properties and patterns.
The student is expected to:
K.5.A observe and record properties of
objects, including bigger or smaller, heavier
or lighter, shape, color, and texture; and
K.6 Matter and its properties. The student
knows that objects have physical properties
that determine how they are described and
classified. The student is expected to:
identify and record observable physical
properties of objects, including shape, color,
texture, and material, and generate ways to
Grade 1
1.5.A classify objects by observable
properties such as larger and smaller,
heavier and lighter, shape, color, and
1.6.A classify objects by observable physical
properties, including shape, color, and texture,
and attributes such as larger and smaller and
Grade 2
2.5.A classify matter by physical properties,
including relative temperature, texture,
flexibility, and whether material is a solid or
2.6.A classify matter by observable physical
properties, including texture, flexibility, and
relative temperature, and identify whether a
material is a solid or liquid;
Grade 3
3.5.A measure test, and record physical
properties of matter, including temperature,
mass, magnetism, and the ability to sink or
float;
3.6.A measure, test, and record physical
properties of matter, including temperature,
mass, magnetism, and the ability to sink or float
in water;
Grade 4
4.5.A measure, compare, and contrast
physical properties of matter, including
mass, volume, states (solid, liquid, and gas),
temperature, magnetism, and the ability to
4.6.A classify and describe matter using
observable physical properties, including
temperature, mass, magnetism, relative
density (the ability to sink or float in water),
and physical state (solid, liquid, gas);
Grade 5
5.5.A classify matter based on measurable,
testable, and observable physical properties,
including mass, magnetism, physical state
(solid, liquid, and gas), relative density
(sinking and floating using water as a
reference point), solubility in water, and the
ability to conduct or insulate thermal energy
5.6.A compare and contrast matter based on
measurable, testable, or observable physical
properties, including mass, magnetism, relative
density (sinking and floating using water as a
reference point), physical state (solid, liquid,
gas), volume, solubility in water, and the ability
to conduct or insulate thermal energy and
Key Changes in Physical Properties: Elementary
• Kindergarten: addition of classification of properties
• Grades 1–3: added specificity
• Grade 4: added specificity and removed volume
• Grade 5: added volume