Test your students to determine their prior knowledge of the types of matter and molecules. Reteach the previous lessons on solids, liquids, gases and molecules if the test results do not indicate an understanding of the specific properties of liquids.
Have the students take notes that you write on the board describing how liquids do not have a permanent, distinct shape. Tell the students that a liquid, unlike a solid, will shape itself to whatever kind of container it is poured into because the molecules in the liquid are farther apart from each other than the molecules in solids.
Ask students to list examples of liquids they are familiar with. Write this list on the board. Describe how not all liquids are the same color or thickness. Give them examples, such as jelly compared to water.
Show the students samples of a liquid taking the shape of the container. Pour some colored water into a tall, thin graduated beaker. Note the volume. Pour the water out of the beaker into another container that is a different size and shape, perhaps an oddly shaped vase. Pour the water back into the beaker, noting how the volume is unchanged. Point out how the same volume of water changes its form.
Add a small stone into the beaker containing the liquid. Have the students observe how the volume in the beaker increases. Explain how the addition of the stone does not alter the amount of water, but does increase the volume of matter inside the beaker.
Repeat step four with various types of liquids. For example, use colored water, followed by liquid jello and then mercury. This shows them the same principles of volume hold true no matter the liquid.
Divide the class into pairs of students. Distribute graduated beakers to every pair. Distribute colored water in clear plastic bottles.
Give students specified volumes and ask one student from each pair to fill the beakers with the correct amount of water. Tell the other student in the pair to verify this is done correctly. Repeat the exercise for different volumes and have the pairs switch roles.
Distribute a worksheet to the students with pictures of graduated beakers filled with water. Have the students write down the volume of the liquid in each beaker. Collect and mark this exercise to determine whether the students know how to accurately read the volume of the liquids.
Reteach the lesson and provide additional opportunities for visual demonstrations if the test results suggest this is necessary.