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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: 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 window pane? (clay (fired brick) / glass / metal / rubber) → glassPrompt: 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? (Only metal can make spoons. / Spoons are a material. / Wood is a kind of metal. / One kind of object can be made from different materials.) → 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: 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? (tissue paper / a cotton handkerchief / a piece of plastic shower curtain / a paper towel) → 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. To make the waterproof test fair, what must stay the same for every material? (nothing needs to stay the same / the amount of water and the size of each square / the colour of each material / the material being tested) → the amount of water and the size of each squarePrompt: Only one thing should change: the material.
  2. Is this waterproof: a cotton T-shirt? (waterproof / not waterproof) → not waterproofPrompt: Imagine pouring water onto it. Does the water soak in or run off?

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

    Is this waterproof: glass?

    • A. waterproof
    • B. not waterproof

  2. Question 2

    Why are wellington boots (rain boots) made of rubber?

    • A. Rubber is see-through.
    • B. Rubber is very heavy.
    • C. Rubber is waterproof and bendy.
    • D. Rubber soaks up puddles.

  3. Question 3

    Which material would make the WORST umbrella?

    Spoonfuls of water that leaked through02468107cotton10wool4paper towel0plastic
    • A. cotton
    • B. wool
    • C. paper towel
    • D. plastic

  4. Question 4

    Is this waterproof: tissue paper?

    • A. waterproof
    • B. not waterproof

  5. Question 5

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

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

  6. Question 6

    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

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Answer key: Test which materials are waterproof

  1. 1. A. waterproof

  2. 2. C. Rubber is waterproof and bendy.

  3. 3. B. wool

  4. 4. B. not waterproof

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

  6. 6. D. plastic