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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: chair? (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 plastic bucket? (glass / plastic / rubber / wood) → plasticPrompt: Think about how it feels: hard and see-through, soft and warm, bendy and waterproof…?
  3. Which list has only materials? (table, door, window / cup, glass, chair / wool, sock, hat / glass, wood, metal) → glass, wood, metalPrompt: Materials are what things are made of.

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: a plastic bag? (waterproof / not waterproof) → waterproofPrompt: Imagine pouring water onto it. Does the water soak in or run off?
  2. A teddy bear needs a coat for a rainy picnic. Which material should you choose? (a paper towel / a cotton handkerchief / a piece of plastic shower curtain / tissue paper) → a piece of plastic shower curtainPrompt: Which one stops water getting through?

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: tissue paper? (waterproof / not waterproof) → not waterproofPrompt: Imagine pouring water onto it. Does the water soak in or run off?
  2. A teddy bear needs a coat for a rainy picnic. Which material should you choose? (a paper towel / a cotton handkerchief / tissue paper / a piece of plastic shower curtain) → a piece of plastic shower curtainPrompt: Which one stops water getting through?

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

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

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

  2. Question 2

    Is this waterproof: glass?

    • A. waterproof
    • B. not waterproof

  3. Question 3

    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 through024681012141616cotton13wool10paper towel0plastic
    • A. cotton
    • B. wool
    • C. paper towel
    • D. plastic

  4. Question 4

    Is this waterproof: aluminium (aluminum) foil?

    • A. waterproof
    • B. not waterproof

  5. Question 5

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

    Spoonfuls of water that leaked through02468101214164cotton7wool16paper towel0plastic

    Answer

  6. Question 6

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

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

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Answer key: Test which materials are waterproof

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

  2. 2. A. waterproof

  3. 3. D. plastic

  4. 4. A. waterproof

  5. 5. 3

  6. 6. B. the amount of water and the size of each square