Material properties
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe simple properties of everyday materials.
Key learning points
- Different materials can be described in different ways.
- The describing words we use for a material are called its properties.
- We use our senses when describing properties of materials.
- Materials can be compared and grouped on the basis of their simple properties.
Keywords
Material - A material is what an object is made from. An object can be made from more than one material.
Describe - To say or write what someone or something is like.
Properties - The describing words we use for a material are called its properties.
Observe - To observe is to look very closely and use other senses too.
Feel - To feel something is to touch it.
Common misconception
Some pupils may think that soft means smooth. Younger pupils may find it hard to describe a material based only on its properties (and not its function).
Opportunities to rehearse expressing ideas and describing properties. Teacher to model and correct as necessary, making clear the difference between the function of an object and the properties of its material(s).
Teacher tip
Provide opportunities for pupils to handle materials with different properties, focus on the properties of materials rather than objects, e.g. the properties of rubber rather than the glove. This lesson contains a diagnostic question on slides 30 & 31 – see additional materials for further guidance.
Equipment
A variety of everyday materials with different properties, card, sticky tape, glue and/or stapler.
Content guidance
Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these objects is made from glass?
Q2.Before materials can be recycled, they must be cleaned and ...
Q3.Which of these is a material?
Q4.Which of these are part of the 3 Rs?
Q5.Reduce means ...
Q6.What happens to materials like glass, wood and plastic when they are recycled?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? All materials are the same.
Q2.The describing words we use for a material are called its ...
Q3.When we describe properties of materials, we use ...
Q4.Lucas uses his senses to describe the properties of a wooden chair. Which of these is a sense?
Q5.Which object is Izzy describing?
Q6.Aisha has grouped these objects into see-through and not see-through. Which object has she put into the wrong group?
To help you plan your 1 science lesson on: Material properties, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 1 science lesson on: Material properties, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 science lessons from the Everyday materials unit, dive into the full primary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.