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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: plastic? (object / material) → materialPrompt: Ask: is it a thing you use, or the stuff things are made from?
  2. What material is this object usually made from: a woolly scarf? (plastic / clay (fired brick) / wood / wool) → woolPrompt: Think about how it feels: hard and see-through, soft and warm, bendy and waterproof…?
  3. Why are windows made of glass, not wood? (Wood cannot be cut. / Glass is warmer than wood. / Glass is softer than wood. / Glass is transparent, so light comes in and we can see out.) → Glass is transparent, so light comes in and we can see out.Prompt: What does a window need to let through?

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 bicycle frame / a cricket or baseball bat / a jam jar / a pillowcase) → a jam jarPrompt: Think about how each object feels and what it needs to do.
  2. Three of these are usually made of wood. Which one is NOT? (a garden fence / a pencil / a T-shirt / a wooden table) → a T-shirtPrompt: 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. Which of these is usually made of fabric? (a T-shirt / a drinking glass / a key / a pencil) → a T-shirtPrompt: Think about how each object feels and what it needs to do.
  2. Three of these are usually made of fabric. Which one is NOT? (a curtain / a T-shirt / a jam jar / a pillowcase) → a jam jarPrompt: Name the usual material of each object.

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 fabric. Which one is NOT?

    • A. a curtain
    • B. a sock
    • C. a pillowcase
    • D. a cricket or baseball bat

  2. Question 2

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

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

  3. Question 3

    Which of these is usually made of metal?

    • A. a window
    • B. a wooden table
    • C. a key
    • D. a pillowcase

  4. Question 4

    Why are cricket and baseball bats often made of wood rather than glass?

    • A. Glass is too light.
    • B. Glass is too bendy.
    • C. Wood is tough and will not shatter when it hits a ball.
    • D. Wood is see-through.

  5. Question 5

    Which of these is usually made of wood?

    • A. a key
    • B. a wooden table
    • C. a pillowcase
    • D. a saucepan

  6. Question 6

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

    • A. a wooden table
    • B. a paperclip
    • C. a saucepan
    • D. a key

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

  1. 1. D. a cricket or baseball bat

  2. 2. A. Plastic is lighter and does not shatter if dropped.

  3. 3. C. a key

  4. 4. C. Wood is tough and will not shatter when it hits a ball.

  5. 5. B. a wooden table

  6. 6. A. a wooden table