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Science lesson plan · 2nd grade (Year 3 in England) · 30 minutes

One material, many objects; one object, many materials

Materials and their properties

CCSS NGSS.2-PS1-1CCSS NGSS.2-PS1-2England: KS1 Y2 Uses of everyday materialsEngland: KS1 Y1 Everyday materials

Objective and success criteria

Students will: One material, many objects; one object, many materials.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Tell the object from the material it is made of

Leads to: Build, take apart and rebuild with the same pieces

Materials: A tray of everyday objects, Sorting hoops, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Tell the object from the material it is made of). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Is this an object or a material: jumper (sweater)? (object / material) → objectPrompt: Ask: is it a thing you use, or the stuff things are made from?
  2. What material is this object usually made from: a wellington boot (rain boot)? (wood / rubber / wool / plastic) → rubberPrompt: Think about how it feels: hard and see-through, soft and warm, bendy and waterproof…?
  3. A spoon can be made of metal, plastic or wood. What does this show? (Spoons are a material. / One kind of object can be made from different materials. / Only metal can make spoons. / Wood is a kind of metal.) → One kind of object can be made from different materials.Prompt: Is a spoon the object or the material?

Hook · 3 min

  • Pass round objects made of different materials and ask why each one was chosen.
  • Share the objective: One material, many objects; one object, many materials. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Which of these is usually made of wood?
  • Step 1: Wood is strong, can be cut and shaped, and comes from trees.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: a pencil
  • Answer: a pencil
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Which of these is usually made of fabric? (a saucepan / a pillowcase / a key / a cricket or baseball bat) → a pillowcasePrompt: Think about how each object feels and what it needs to do.
  2. Three of these are usually made of fabric. Which one is NOT? (a window / a T-shirt / a sock / a pillowcase) → a windowPrompt: Name the usual material of each object.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Three of these are usually made of glass. Which one is NOT? (a wooden table / a jam jar / a window / a mirror) → a wooden tablePrompt: Name the usual material of each object.
  2. Why are cricket and baseball bats often made of wood rather than glass? (Glass is too bendy. / Wood is see-through. / Glass is too light. / Wood is tough and will not shatter when it hits a ball.) → Wood is tough and will not shatter when it hits a ball.Prompt: What happens to glass when it is hit hard?

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Tell the object from the material it is made of.
  • Use concrete materials: a tray of everyday objects.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Build, take apart and rebuild with the same pieces.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-2.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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One material, many objects; one object, many materials

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Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Spoons can be made of metal, wood or plastic. Why are wooden spoons good for stirring hot soup?

    • A. Wood is see-through.
    • B. Wood is magnetic.
    • C. Wood does not get hot quickly, so the handle stays cool.
    • D. Wood melts in soup and adds flavour.

  2. Question 2

    Three of these are usually made of fabric. Which one is NOT?

    • A. a T-shirt
    • B. a mirror
    • C. a pillowcase
    • D. a sock

  3. Question 3

    Which of these is usually made of glass?

    • A. a curtain
    • B. a mirror
    • C. a key
    • D. a pencil

  4. Question 4

    Bottles can be glass or plastic. Why might a picnic use plastic bottles?

    • A. Plastic is lighter and does not shatter if dropped.
    • B. Plastic is heavier.
    • C. Plastic keeps drinks hot for ever.
    • D. Plastic is stronger than metal.

  5. Question 5

    Three of these are usually made of metal. Which one is NOT?

    • A. a bicycle frame
    • B. a paperclip
    • C. a saucepan
    • D. a T-shirt

  6. Question 6

    Why are cricket and baseball bats often made of wood rather than glass?

    • A. Glass is too bendy.
    • B. Wood is see-through.
    • C. Glass is too light.
    • D. Wood is tough and will not shatter when it hits a ball.

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Answer key: One material, many objects; one object, many materials

  1. 1. C. Wood does not get hot quickly, so the handle stays cool.

  2. 2. B. a mirror

  3. 3. B. a mirror

  4. 4. A. Plastic is lighter and does not shatter if dropped.

  5. 5. D. a T-shirt

  6. 6. D. Wood is tough and will not shatter when it hits a ball.