• 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.

1. A sponge soaks up water. Which word describes it? (waterproof / shiny / transparent / absorbent) → absorbentPrompt: It takes in water.
2. Which material is the most flexible? (glass / stone / fabric / brick) → fabricPrompt: Which one can you fold without breaking?
3. Properties of materials: which statement is true? (Rubber is rigid. / Fabric is always waterproof. / Iron and steel are attracted to magnets. / All metals are magnetic.) → Iron and steel are attracted to magnets.Prompt: Think about a coin, a window and a raincoat.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 shape change is this: making a balloon animal? (squashing / bending / twisting / stretching) → twistingPrompt: Is it pressed smaller, curved, turned at the ends, or pulled longer?
2. Which of these can be stretched and then spring back to its shape? (a stone / a wooden ruler / an elastic band / a glass marble) → an elastic bandPrompt: Which one is made of rubber?

• 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. True or false? An elastic band goes back to its shape after stretching. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Think of rubber bands, clay, sponges and glass.
2. Modelling clay stays in its new shape after you squash it, but a sponge springs back. What is different? (They are exactly the same. / The clay is see-through. / The sponge is heavier. / The sponge is elastic; the clay is not.) → The sponge is elastic; the clay is not.Prompt: Which one goes back to how it was?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-2.