Science lesson plan · 2nd grade (Year 3 in England) · 30 minutes
Squashing, bending, twisting and stretching materials
Materials and their properties
CCSS NGSS.2-PS1-1England: KS1 Y2 Uses of everyday materials
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Squashing, bending, twisting and stretching 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: 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.
- An umbrella keeps rain off you. Its material must be… (absorbent / waterproof / soft / see-through) → waterproofPrompt: Water must not get through.
- Which material is the most flexible? (stone / fabric / glass / brick) → fabricPrompt: Which one can you fold without breaking?
- Properties of materials: which statement is true? (Rubber is rigid. / Plastic is usually waterproof. / Wood is transparent. / Fabric is always waterproof.) → Plastic is usually waterproof.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: Squashing, bending, twisting and stretching 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: Which shape change is this: pulling an elastic band?
- Step 1: Stretching pulls something so it gets longer.
- Step 2: So the answer is: stretching
- Answer: stretching
- 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.
- Which shape change is this: twisting a lid off a jar? (squashing / bending / twisting / stretching) → twistingPrompt: Is it pressed smaller, curved, turned at the ends, or pulled longer?
- Which of these can be stretched and then spring back to its shape? (a glass marble / an elastic band / a stone / a wooden ruler) → an elastic bandPrompt: Which one is made of rubber?
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.
- True or false? Glass cannot be bent at room temperature without breaking. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Think of rubber bands, clay, sponges and glass.
- Which shape change is this: twisting a lid off a jar? (squashing / bending / twisting / stretching) → twistingPrompt: Is it pressed smaller, curved, turned at the ends, or pulled longer?
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