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Science lesson plan · 2nd grade (Year 3 in England) · 45 minutes

Choosing materials for a job

Materials and their properties

CCSS NGSS.2-PS1-2CCSS NGSS.K-2-ETS1-1England: KS1 Y2 Uses of everyday materials

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Choosing materials for a job.

  • 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 · 5 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.
  1. An umbrella keeps rain off you. Its material must be… (absorbent / soft / waterproof / see-through) → waterproofPrompt: Water must not get through.
  2. Which material is the best thermal insulator (keeps heat in)? (aluminium (aluminum) / wool / iron / copper) → woolPrompt: Metals let heat pass through them quickly.
  3. Properties of materials: which statement is true? (Glass is transparent. / All metals are magnetic. / Wood is transparent. / Rubber is rigid.) → Glass is transparent.Prompt: Think about a coin, a window and a raincoat.

Hook · 5 min

  • Pass round objects made of different materials and ask why each one was chosen.
  • Share the objective: Choosing materials for a job. 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: Why is a towel made of fabric like cotton?
  • Step 1: Absorbent fabric soaks up water from your skin.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: It is soft and absorbent
  • Answer: It is soft and absorbent
  • 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. Why is a towel made of fabric like cotton? (It is waterproof / It is hard / It is transparent / It is soft and absorbent) → It is soft and absorbentPrompt: A towel needs to dry you.
  2. Bridges are often made of steel. Which property matters most? (absorbency / softness / strength / transparency) → strengthPrompt: A bridge must carry heavy loads.

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. Why are car tyres (tires) made of rubber? (Rubber is a metal / Rubber is flexible and grips the road / Rubber absorbs water / Rubber is transparent) → Rubber is flexible and grips the roadPrompt: Think about grip and bumps in the road.
  2. Choosing materials: which statement is true? (Cotton wool is good for a raincoat. / Glass is a good material for a football. / Paper is a poor material for an umbrella. / Metal is best for a window you want to see through.) → Paper is a poor material for an umbrella.Prompt: Match the property to the job.

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

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Choosing materials for a job

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Why would a chocolate teapot be a bad idea?

    • A. Chocolate is transparent
    • B. Chocolate is too heavy
    • C. Chocolate melts when hot water is poured in
    • D. Chocolate is magnetic

  2. Question 2

    Which material is best for the handle of a frying pan?

    • A. a hard plastic that is a thermal insulator
    • B. glass
    • C. ice
    • D. copper

  3. Question 3

    Choosing materials: which statement is true?

    • A. Cotton wool is good for a raincoat.
    • B. Glass is a good material for a football.
    • C. Metal is best for a window you want to see through.
    • D. A material's properties make it suitable for a job.

  4. Question 4

    Bridges are often made of steel. Which property matters most?

    • A. strength
    • B. absorbency
    • C. transparency
    • D. softness

  5. Question 5

    Why are saucepans usually made of metal?

    • A. Metal melts on the cooker
    • B. Metal is soft and bendy
    • C. Metal is transparent
    • D. Metal is strong and conducts heat to the food

  6. Question 6

    Why are electrical wires made of copper covered in plastic?

    • A. Copper conducts electricity; plastic insulates for safety
    • B. Copper is magnetic and plastic is shiny
    • C. Copper is see-through
    • D. Plastic conducts electricity better than copper

  7. Question 7

    Why are windows made of glass?

    • A. It is soft
    • B. It is absorbent
    • C. It is transparent, so light comes in
    • D. It is magnetic

  8. Question 8

    Why are car tyres (tires) made of rubber?

    • A. Rubber absorbs water
    • B. Rubber is a metal
    • C. Rubber is transparent
    • D. Rubber is flexible and grips the road

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Answer key: Choosing materials for a job

  1. 1. C. Chocolate melts when hot water is poured in

  2. 2. A. a hard plastic that is a thermal insulator

  3. 3. D. A material's properties make it suitable for a job.

  4. 4. A. strength

  5. 5. D. Metal is strong and conducts heat to the food

  6. 6. A. Copper conducts electricity; plastic insulates for safety

  7. 7. C. It is transparent, so light comes in

  8. 8. D. Rubber is flexible and grips the road