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Science lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 30 minutes

Everyday materials

Materials and their properties

CCSS NGSS.2-PS1-1England: KS1 Y1 Everyday materials

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Everyday 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: no earlier skill in the map; start from what students know.

Leads to: Properties of materials; Hard or soft, rough or smooth? Describe by touch; Will it float or sink? Predict and test

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: three short questions students should already manage. Answers on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. What is a toy brick usually made from? (metal / plastic / wood / fabric) → plasticPrompt: Is it hard or soft? Shiny? Can you see through it?
  2. Which object is usually made of fabric? (a curtain / a mirror / a saucepan / a lolly (popsicle) stick) → a curtainPrompt: Picture each object. What does it feel like?
  3. A spoon can be made of metal, plastic or wood. What does this show? (Spoons are not objects. / The same object can be made from different materials. / Only metal is a material. / All materials are the same.) → The same object can be made from different materials.Prompt: Think about spoons you have seen.

Hook · 3 min

  • Pass round objects made of different materials and ask why each one was chosen.
  • Share the objective: Everyday 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: What is a coin usually made from?
  • Step 1: Metal is strong, hard and often shiny.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: metal
  • Answer: metal
  • 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. What is a paper clip usually made from? (glass / metal / fabric / wood) → metalPrompt: Is it hard or soft? Shiny? Can you see through it?
  2. Which object is usually made of glass? (a toothbrush handle / a towel / a T-shirt / a light bulb) → a light bulbPrompt: Picture each object. What does it feel like?

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. A spoon can be made of metal, plastic or wood. What does this show? (Only metal is a material. / All materials are the same. / The same object can be made from different materials. / Spoons are not objects.) → The same object can be made from different materials.Prompt: Think about spoons you have seen.
  2. Which object is usually made of fabric? (a T-shirt / a saucepan / a jam jar / a seaside bucket) → a T-shirtPrompt: Picture each object. What does it feel like?

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

  • 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: Properties of materials; Hard or soft, rough or smooth? Describe by touch; Will it float or sink? Predict and test.
  • 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/kindergarten.

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

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Everyday materials

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    What is a paper clip usually made from?

    • A. glass
    • B. fabric
    • C. metal
    • D. wood

  2. Question 2

    Which object is usually made of glass?

    • A. a window
    • B. a garden shed
    • C. a saucepan
    • D. a paper clip

  3. Question 3

    A spoon can be made of metal, plastic or wood. What does this show?

    • A. Only metal is a material.
    • B. The same object can be made from different materials.
    • C. Spoons are not objects.
    • D. All materials are the same.

  4. Question 4

    What is a T-shirt usually made from?

    • A. plastic
    • B. glass
    • C. metal
    • D. fabric

  5. Question 5

    Which object is usually made of wood?

    • A. a toothbrush handle
    • B. a key
    • C. a mirror
    • D. a lolly (popsicle) stick

  6. Question 6

    Which material is made from sand heated until it melts?

    • A. paper
    • B. glass
    • C. wood
    • D. wool

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Answer key: Everyday materials

  1. 1. C. metal

  2. 2. A. a window

  3. 3. B. The same object can be made from different materials.

  4. 4. D. fabric

  5. 5. D. a lolly (popsicle) stick

  6. 6. B. glass