Properties, changes and separating materials
Downloads can take a few minutes, especially for larger files or slower connections.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils' prior learning from Everyday materials, where they explored the properties and uses of common materials. In Properties, changes and separating materials, pupils will investigate how materials can be changed, separated, and classified based on their properties, such as hardness, solubility, and conductivity. This prepares them for the next unit, Materials, where they will delve deeper into the processes of separating mixtures and understanding more advanced material properties and changes.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made
- Identify and name a variety of everyday materials
- Describe the simple physical properties of everyday materials
- Compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties
- Identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials for particular uses
- Compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
- Compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of whether they are attracted to a magnet, and identify some magnetic materials
- Compare and group materials together, according to whether they are solids, liquids or gases
- Observe that some materials change state when they are heated and cooled
- Recognise some common electrical conductors and insulators, and associate metals with being good conductors
Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils' prior learning from Everyday materials, where they explored the properties and uses of common materials. In Properties, changes and separating materials, pupils will investigate how materials can be changed, separated, and classified based on their properties, such as hardness, solubility, and conductivity. This prepares them for the next unit, Materials, where they will delve deeper into the processes of separating mixtures and understanding more advanced material properties and changes.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made
- Identify and name a variety of everyday materials
- Describe the simple physical properties of everyday materials
- Compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties
- Identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials for particular uses
- Compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
- Compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of whether they are attracted to a magnet, and identify some magnetic materials
- Compare and group materials together, according to whether they are solids, liquids or gases
- Observe that some materials change state when they are heated and cooled
- Recognise some common electrical conductors and insulators, and associate metals with being good conductors
Chemistry
Physics
Properties, changes and separating materials
This unit explores the properties of everyday materials, including hardness, solubility, and conductivity. It covers reversible changes like dissolving and mixing, and irreversible changes such as burning. Emphasis is on scientific enquiries, data recording, and presenting findings with evidence.
20 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Properties, changes and separating materials unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our primary science curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for primary science programmes.