To begin our study of matter, we read What is the World Made Of? by Kathy Zoehfeld (author and paleontology volunteer). This book could not be a more perfect introduction to the topic of matter.
We measured one-thousand milliliters (one liter) of water and added food coloring to help children see the water more clearly. 
Observing the food coloring prompted enthusiastic discussions about density and water movement.
We then poured the water into different shaped containers to observe the behavior of a liquid.
These volume materials challenge some children's misperceptions related to conservation of volume. It's always fun to hear the children's excited squeals as they hypothesize about whether the water will overflow one of the 1000ml containers. The children observed that liquids take the shape of their container. Liquids are flat across the top of their surface, and they form a puddle when spilled. Liquids flow, and they move out of the way to allow your hand to pass through.
Next, we placed solid water (ice) onto a hot surface and observed as it melted (changing to liquid) and then boiled (changing to gas). 
Then, we placed ice in a container to observe water vapor (gas) condense and return to a liquid state as it hits the cold surface on the outside of the container. Water is easy to change from one state to another, but the children had wonderful ideas about some other things that can be melted: cheese, popsicles (mostly water), gold (to make jewelry or coins), butter, crayons, chapstick, and more.
Finally, we played Matter Molecule Theater, observing as solid molecules (our child actors) jiggled very slightly, very close together,
liquid molecules slipped past one another,
and (our favorite) gas molecules bounced all over the place, spreading out to fill the room!
Armed with our observations (and preconceptions) about matter, we brainstormed rules for classifying matter as solids or liquids. Next, cooperative science groups investigated challenging substances--matter that is not so easily classified, including toothpaste, shaving cream (a colloid with a gas dispersed in a liquid), Gak (AKA slime or Flubber--a polymer made of Borax, glue, and water), and Oobleck (a non-Newtonian fluid made from cornstarch and water). We observed that all of these substances have some properties of both solids and liquids. 
Oobleck can be rolled into a ball,
but it also drips, pours, and makes puddles.
Similarly, Gak can be rolled into a ball, but it eventually settles into a puddle or takes the shape of its container.
Challenge: Look around at home to identify more challenging substances that are difficult to classify.
On the shelf:
Matter samples for children to classify as solid, liquid, or gas--and record in a bar graph.
Liquid samples for the children to classify as viscous or fluid--and record in a bar graph.
Solid samples for the children to classify as rigid, plastic, or elastic--and record in a bar graph.
There's a Book for That!
What is the World Made Of? by Kathy Zoehfeld
Kids Discover Matter
Kids Discover 1: Solids & Liquids
Kids Discover Chemistry
Kids Discover Water
Kids Discover Atoms
Teacher Resources
Matter: Solids, Liquids, & Gases (GEMS guide)
Oobleck: What Do Scientists Do? (GEMS guide)
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