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

One material, many objects; one object, many materials

Materials and their properties

CCSS NGSS.2-PS1-1CCSS NGSS.2-PS1-2England: KS1 Y2 Uses of everyday materialsEngland: KS1 Y1 Everyday materials

Objective and success criteria

Students will: One material, many objects; one object, many 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: Tell the object from the material it is made of

Leads to: Build, take apart and rebuild with the same pieces

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: spoon? (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 wooden spoon? (wool / wood / rubber / plastic) → woodPrompt: Think about how it feels: hard and see-through, soft and warm, bendy and waterproof…?
  3. Which list has only materials? (table, door, window / wool, sock, hat / cup, glass, chair / 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: One material, many objects; one object, many 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 of these is usually made of wood?
  • Step 1: Wood is strong, can be cut and shaped, and comes from trees.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: a pencil
  • Answer: a pencil
  • 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. Which of these is usually made of glass? (a pencil / a window / a wooden table / a paperclip) → a windowPrompt: Think about how each object feels and what it needs to do.
  2. Three of these are usually made of metal. Which one is NOT? (a window / a paperclip / a saucepan / a bicycle frame) → a windowPrompt: Name the usual material of each object.

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. Three of these are usually made of glass. Which one is NOT? (a drinking glass / a mirror / a window / a pillowcase) → a pillowcasePrompt: Name the usual material of each object.
  2. Bottles can be glass or plastic. Why might a picnic use plastic bottles? (Plastic is lighter and does not shatter if dropped. / Plastic is heavier. / Plastic keeps drinks hot for ever. / Plastic is stronger than metal.) → Plastic is lighter and does not shatter if dropped.Prompt: What could happen to a glass bottle dropped on rocks?

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

  • Move on to: Build, take apart and rebuild with the same pieces.
  • 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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One material, many objects; one object, many materials

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Three of these are usually made of wood. Which one is NOT?

    • A. a pencil
    • B. a garden fence
    • C. a wooden table
    • D. a jam jar

  2. Question 2

    Which of these is usually made of metal?

    • A. a pencil
    • B. a paperclip
    • C. a cricket or baseball bat
    • D. a drinking glass

  3. Question 3

    Spoons can be made of metal, wood or plastic. Why are wooden spoons good for stirring hot soup?

    • A. Wood is see-through.
    • B. Wood does not get hot quickly, so the handle stays cool.
    • C. Wood is magnetic.
    • D. Wood melts in soup and adds flavour.

  4. Question 4

    Three of these are usually made of fabric. Which one is NOT?

    • A. a curtain
    • B. a key
    • C. a T-shirt
    • D. a pillowcase

  5. Question 5

    Which of these is usually made of glass?

    • A. a curtain
    • B. a jam jar
    • C. a T-shirt
    • D. a paperclip

  6. Question 6

    Bottles can be glass or plastic. Why might a picnic use plastic bottles?

    • A. Plastic is stronger than metal.
    • B. Plastic keeps drinks hot for ever.
    • C. Plastic is lighter and does not shatter if dropped.
    • D. Plastic is heavier.

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Answer key: One material, many objects; one object, many materials

  1. 1. D. a jam jar

  2. 2. B. a paperclip

  3. 3. B. Wood does not get hot quickly, so the handle stays cool.

  4. 4. B. a key

  5. 5. B. a jam jar

  6. 6. C. Plastic is lighter and does not shatter if dropped.