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Science lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 30 minutes

Test which materials are waterproof

Materials and their properties

CCSS NGSS.2-PS1-2CCSS NGSS.SEP 3England: KS1 Y1 Everyday materialsEngland: KS1 Working scientifically

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Test which materials are waterproof.

  • 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: the next skill in this area.

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: plastic? (object / material) → materialPrompt: 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)? (wool / rubber / wood / cardboard) → rubberPrompt: Think about how it feels: hard and see-through, soft and warm, bendy and waterproof…?
  3. Why are saucepans made of metal? (Metal melts easily on a cooker. / Metal is soft and squashy. / Metal is strong and lets heat through to cook the food. / Metal is see-through.) → Metal is strong and lets heat through to cook the food.Prompt: What has to pass from the cooker into the food?

Hook · 3 min

  • Pass round objects made of different materials and ask why each one was chosen.
  • Share the objective: Test which materials are waterproof. 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: Is this waterproof: a sponge?
  • Step 1: These materials soak up water or let it through.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: not waterproof
  • Answer: not waterproof
  • 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. Is this waterproof: aluminium (aluminum) foil? (waterproof / not waterproof) → waterproofPrompt: Imagine pouring water onto it. Does the water soak in or run off?
  2. Why are paper towels good for mopping up spills even though they are not waterproof? (They soak up (absorb) water. / They push water away. / They turn water into ice. / They are made of metal.) → They soak up (absorb) water.Prompt: Is soaking up water useful for a spill?

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. Is this waterproof: glass? (waterproof / not waterproof) → waterproofPrompt: Imagine pouring water onto it. Does the water soak in or run off?
  2. Why are wellington boots (rain boots) made of rubber? (Rubber soaks up puddles. / Rubber is very heavy. / Rubber is waterproof and bendy. / Rubber is see-through.) → Rubber is waterproof and bendy.Prompt: What two jobs must a welly do?

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

  • 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-1.

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

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Test which materials are waterproof

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    How many more spoonfuls leaked through the wool than through the cotton?

    Spoonfuls of water that leaked through02468101214167cotton16wool13paper towel0plastic

    Answer

  2. Question 2

    Is this waterproof: a sponge?

    • A. waterproof
    • B. not waterproof

  3. Question 3

    To make the waterproof test fair, what must stay the same for every material?

    • A. nothing needs to stay the same
    • B. the colour of each material
    • C. the material being tested
    • D. the amount of water and the size of each square

  4. Question 4

    A class poured the same amount of water onto squares of four materials over a cup and counted how much leaked through. Which material is waterproof?

    Spoonfuls of water that leaked through02468101214167cotton16wool13paper towel0plastic
    • A. cotton
    • B. wool
    • C. paper towel
    • D. plastic

  5. Question 5

    Is this waterproof: rubber?

    • A. waterproof
    • B. not waterproof

  6. Question 6

    Why are paper towels good for mopping up spills even though they are not waterproof?

    • A. They soak up (absorb) water.
    • B. They push water away.
    • C. They turn water into ice.
    • D. They are made of metal.

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Answer key: Test which materials are waterproof

  1. 1. 9

  2. 2. B. not waterproof

  3. 3. D. the amount of water and the size of each square

  4. 4. D. plastic

  5. 5. A. waterproof

  6. 6. A. They soak up (absorb) water.