New
New
Year 3

Different surfaces: plan

I can plan an investigation to compare how things move on different surfaces.

New
New
Year 3

Different surfaces: plan

I can plan an investigation to compare how things move on different surfaces.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Surfaces can be different, ranging from very smooth to very rough.
  2. A comparative test investigation can be carried out to find out how different surfaces can affect how things move.
  3. Scientists make decisions about how to set up and carry out investigations.

Keywords

  • Surface - The surface is the top or outside layer of something.

  • Rough - Rough surfaces are uneven or bumpy.

  • Smooth - Smooth surfaces are even.

  • Comparative test - In a comparative test, the thing that is being changed has labels, such as the types of materials.

  • Compare - We compare things by looking at what is the same and what is different.

Common misconception

All surfaces are only 2-dimensional. All surfaces are made by people (human-made).

Provide many examples, with images, of different types of surface including natural surfaces and 3-dimensional surfaces.

This lesson focuses on the working scientifically skill of planning a comparative test investigation within the context of comparing different surfaces. Children will carry out and review their investigation in Lesson 2 of this unit.
Teacher tip

Equipment

See additional material for further support and guidance.

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment
  • Exploration of objects

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), 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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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is not a material?
clay
metal
Correct answer: pencil
wool
Q2.
How do these materials feel when you touch them? Match the material to the property.
Correct Answer:cotton wool,soft

soft

Correct Answer:sandpaper,rough

rough

Correct Answer:glass,smooth

smooth

Q3.
Which of these materials would feel the softest?
Correct answer: wet clay
wood
rock
Q4.
How are "human-made" materials made?
only by plants
only by men
Correct answer: only by people
only by women
Q5.
Which one of these materials is human-made?
wool
stone
wood
Correct answer: glass
Q6.
Which of these shapes are 3-dimensional (3-D)?
square
Correct answer: sphere
Correct answer: cube
triangle

6 Questions

Q1.
A surface is the layer of something.
Correct Answer: top, outside, outer
Q2.
Which of these is not a surface?
the peel on an orange
a wooden floor
a grass field
Correct answer: soil under the ground
Q3.
How many things should be changed in a comparative test investigation each time a measurement is made?
0
Correct answer: 1
2
it does not matter
Q4.
Which thing would you change if you wanted find out how different types of hat affect the temperature of a person's head?
An image in a quiz
the person wearing the hat
Correct answer: the type of hat
the temperature of the room
Q5.
Sort these activities into the order that a scientist would do them.
1 - ask a question
2 - plan the investigation
3 - do the investigation
Q6.
You want to find out whether different shoes help a person run faster. What would you do to compare shoes in a fair way?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: keep the distance run the same each time.
keep the same shoes each time.
Correct answer: keep the running surface the same each time.
Q2 image 1 orange peel

Additional material

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