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Changing shape: review

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can find out how the shapes of solid objects made from some materials can be changed.

Key learning points

  1. Squashing, bending, twisting and stretching are ways in which some shapes of objects can be changed.
  2. The results of a test can show what happens when objects are squashed, bent, twisted and stretched.
  3. Some objects are made from materials whose shape cannot be changed when squashed, bent, twisted or stretched.
  4. Some materials do not change back to their original shape on their own after being squashed, bent, twisted or stretched.

Keywords

  • Material - A material is what an object is made from. An object can be made from more than one material.

  • Change - If something changes it does not stay the same.

  • Shape - A shape is the outline or form of something.

  • Results - The results of a test are what happened or what was found out.

  • Original - When something is original, it is the first one.

Common misconception

Pupils may think that all objects that can be squashed, bent, twisted or stretched will return to their previous shape.

Opportunities to explore the impact of squashing, bending, twisting and stretching different materials.

Teacher tip

This lesson follows on from lesson 6 of this unit. The pupils will use the results and investigate further to find out if the objects can change back to their original shape. This lesson contains a diagnostic question on slides 18 & 19 - see additional materials for further guidance.

Equipment

Different materials to test, e.g. a rock, 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

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
(Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
What do we do when we squash materials?

An image in a quiz
Pull them to make them longer.
Correct answer: Push on them to make them thinner and flatter.
Twist them lots of times.

Q2.
Which of these photographs shows dough that has been bent?

dough 1
dough 2
Correct answer: dough 3

Q3.
True or false? When we twist something, we hold each end and turn it in opposite directions.

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: true

Q4.
When we stretch something, we pull it to make it .

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: longer, wider, longer.

Q5.
Which of these materials can be stretched?

rock
paper
Correct answer: rubber

Q6.
How do scientists test materials to see if they change shape?

Correct answer: They try to squash, twist, stretch or bend them.
They drip water on them.
They hold them up to the light.

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these are ways of changing the shape of materials?

Correct answer: squashing
wood
plastic
Correct answer: bending

Q2.
Which of these materials has been bent?

material 1
Correct answer: material 2
material 3

Q3.
How can we find out which materials can change shape?

Correct answer: by testing them
by measuring them
by sorting them

Q4.
Which of these shows a material whose shape cannot be changed by squashing, bending, twisting or stretching?

dough
Correct answer: rock
paper

Q5.
What happens when a material changes shape?

It always stays in the shape it has changed to.
Correct answer: It can sometimes go back to its original shape.

Q6.
Which of these materials go back to their original shape after they have been stretched?

Correct answer: elastic
Correct answer: thin rubber
dough

To help you plan your 2 science lesson on: Changing shape: review, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...