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

Choosing materials for a job

Materials and their properties

CCSS NGSS.2-PS1-2CCSS NGSS.K-2-ETS1-1England: KS1 Y2 Uses of everyday materials

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Choosing materials for a job.

  • 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: Properties of materials

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 (Properties of materials). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. You can see clearly through a window. Which word describes glass? (stretchy / transparent / opaque / absorbent) → transparentPrompt: Light passes straight through it.
  2. Which material is the most flexible? (brick / stone / glass / fabric) → fabricPrompt: Which one can you fold without breaking?
  3. Properties of materials: which statement is true? (All metals are magnetic. / Wood is transparent. / Iron and steel are attracted to magnets. / Rubber is rigid.) → Iron and steel are attracted to magnets.Prompt: Think about a coin, a window and a raincoat.

Hook · 3 min

  • Pass round objects made of different materials and ask why each one was chosen.
  • Share the objective: Choosing materials for a job. 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: Why is a towel made of fabric like cotton?
  • Step 1: Absorbent fabric soaks up water from your skin.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: It is soft and absorbent
  • Answer: It is soft and absorbent
  • 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. Why are windows made of glass? (It is transparent, so light comes in / It is soft / It is magnetic / It is absorbent) → It is transparent, so light comes inPrompt: What do we want to do through a window?
  2. Bridges are often made of steel. Which property matters most? (softness / absorbency / transparency / strength) → strengthPrompt: A bridge must carry heavy loads.

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. Why is a towel made of fabric like cotton? (It is soft and absorbent / It is waterproof / It is hard / It is transparent) → It is soft and absorbentPrompt: A towel needs to dry you.
  2. Choosing materials: which statement is true? (Cotton wool is good for a raincoat. / Glass is a good material for a football. / Wool keeps you warm because it traps air. / Metal is best for a window you want to see through.) → Wool keeps you warm because it traps air.Prompt: Match the property to the job.

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: Properties of materials.
  • 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-2.

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

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Choosing materials for a job

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Which material is best for the handle of a frying pan?

    • A. copper
    • B. a hard plastic that is a thermal insulator
    • C. ice
    • D. glass

  2. Question 2

    Why are windows made of glass?

    • A. It is magnetic
    • B. It is soft
    • C. It is transparent, so light comes in
    • D. It is absorbent

  3. Question 3

    Choosing materials: which statement is true?

    • A. Glass is a good material for a football.
    • B. Cotton wool is good for a raincoat.
    • C. Metal is best for a window you want to see through.
    • D. A material's properties make it suitable for a job.

  4. Question 4

    Why are car tyres (tires) made of rubber?

    • A. Rubber is a metal
    • B. Rubber is flexible and grips the road
    • C. Rubber absorbs water
    • D. Rubber is transparent

  5. Question 5

    Why is a towel made of fabric like cotton?

    • A. It is soft and absorbent
    • B. It is hard
    • C. It is waterproof
    • D. It is transparent

  6. Question 6

    Bridges are often made of steel. Which property matters most?

    • A. strength
    • B. softness
    • C. transparency
    • D. absorbency

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Answer key: Choosing materials for a job

  1. 1. B. a hard plastic that is a thermal insulator

  2. 2. C. It is transparent, so light comes in

  3. 3. D. A material's properties make it suitable for a job.

  4. 4. B. Rubber is flexible and grips the road

  5. 5. A. It is soft and absorbent

  6. 6. A. strength