Changing shape: plan and do
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan and carry out a test to try to change the shape of different materials in different ways.
Key learning points
- Materials can be squashed by pressing on them to change their shape.
- Materials can be bent by pushing or pulling a straight shape into a curve or an angle.
- Materials can be twisted by holding each end and turning them in opposite directions.
- Materials can be stretched by pulling them to change their shape.
- Scientists can plan and test how squashing, bending, twisting and stretching can change the shape of some materials.
Keywords
Squash - You can squash something by squeezing or pressing on it.
Bend - To bend something is to curve it so that it is not straight.
Twist - When you twist something, you hold each end and turn them in opposite directions.
Stretch - When you stretch something, you pull it to change its shape.
Material - A material is what an object is made from. An object can be made from more than one material.
Common misconception
Children may think that all objects that can be squashed, bent, twisted or stretched may return to their previous shape (elasticity).
Opportunities to explore the impact of squashing, bending, twisting and stretching different materials.
Teacher tip
Make sure that the children understand that they are testing the materials that objects are made from in Task B, rather than the objects themselves.
Equipment
Dough, different materials to test, e.g. a stone, a sponge, a sock, dough, paper, a rubber glove. Ensure you have a variety of materials including some that keep their new shape after being tested.
Content guidance
Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why is wood a suitable material for making a chair?
Q2.Which of these is a property of materials?
Q3.What does stretchy mean?
Q4.Which of these objects is made from a stretchy material?
Q5.Which of these objects should be made from a stretchy material?
Q6.What would scientists need in order to test materials to find out if they are stretchy?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these photographs shows dough that has been squashed?
Q2.True or false? When we bend a material, we press it to make it thinner and flatter.
Q3.Which of these photographs shows dough that has been twisted?
Q4.What do we do when we stretch something?
Q5.Match each action to the correct description.
Q6.What do scientists do to find out which materials change shape?
To help you plan your 2 science lesson on: Changing shape: plan and do, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 science lesson on: Changing shape: plan and do, 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 Uses of everyday materials unit, dive into the full primary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.