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Science lesson plan · 2nd grade (Year 3 in England) · 45 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 · 5 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: wool? (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? (metal / wool / clay (fired brick) / wood) → woolPrompt: Think about how it feels: hard and see-through, soft and warm, bendy and waterproof…?
  3. Why are saucepans made of metal? (Metal is strong and lets heat through to cook the food. / Metal is see-through. / Metal is soft and squashy. / Metal melts easily on a cooker.) → Metal is strong and lets heat through to cook the food.Prompt: What has to pass from the cooker into the food?

Hook · 5 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 · 10 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 · 10 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 fabric? (a curtain / a drinking glass / a cricket or baseball bat / a wooden table) → a curtainPrompt: 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 cricket or baseball bat / a wooden table / a garden fence / a saucepan) → a saucepanPrompt: Name the usual material of each object.

You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 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 metal. Which one is NOT? (a sock / a paperclip / a key / a saucepan) → a sockPrompt: Name the usual material of each object.
  2. Why are cricket and baseball bats often made of wood rather than glass? (Wood is tough and will not shatter when it hits a ball. / Glass is too bendy. / Wood is see-through. / Glass is too light.) → Wood is tough and will not shatter when it hits a ball.Prompt: What happens to glass when it is hit hard?

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/ 8

  1. Question 1

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

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

  2. Question 2

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

    • A. a saucepan
    • B. a pillowcase
    • C. a bicycle frame
    • D. a key

  3. Question 3

    Which of these is usually made of glass?

    • A. a mirror
    • B. a curtain
    • C. a pencil
    • D. a pillowcase

  4. Question 4

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

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

  5. Question 5

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

    • A. a sock
    • B. a cricket or baseball bat
    • C. a T-shirt
    • D. a curtain

  6. Question 6

    Which of these is usually made of wood?

    • A. a pillowcase
    • B. a drinking glass
    • C. a window
    • D. a wooden table

  7. Question 7

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

    • A. a T-shirt
    • B. a pencil
    • C. a wooden table
    • D. a cricket or baseball bat

  8. Question 8

    Which of these is usually made of metal?

    • A. a bicycle frame
    • B. a garden fence
    • C. a T-shirt
    • D. a cricket or baseball bat

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

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

  2. 2. B. a pillowcase

  3. 3. A. a mirror

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

  5. 5. B. a cricket or baseball bat

  6. 6. D. a wooden table

  7. 7. A. a T-shirt

  8. 8. A. a bicycle frame