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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. A sponge soaks up water. Which word describes it? (transparent / absorbent / waterproof / shiny) → absorbentPrompt: It takes in water.
  2. Which material is the most flexible? (stone / glass / fabric / brick) → fabricPrompt: Which one can you fold without breaking?
  3. Properties of materials: which statement is true? (All metals are magnetic. / Rubber is rigid. / Fabric is always waterproof. / Iron and steel are attracted to magnets.) → Iron and steel are attracted to magnets.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 hard / It is transparent / It is waterproof / 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? (transparency / softness / absorbency / strength) → 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 windows made of glass? (It is magnetic / It is absorbent / It is soft / It is transparent, so light comes in) → It is transparent, so light comes inPrompt: What do we want to do through a window?
  2. Choosing materials: which statement is true? (Glass is a good material for a football. / Cotton wool is good for a raincoat. / Metal is best for a window you want to see through. / Paper is a poor material for an umbrella.) → 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

    Choosing materials: which statement is true?

    • A. Glass is a good material for a football.
    • B. Cotton wool is good for a raincoat.
    • C. Wool keeps you warm because it traps air.
    • D. Metal is best for a window you want to see through.

  2. Question 2

    Why are saucepans usually made of metal?

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

  3. Question 3

    Why are electrical wires made of copper covered in plastic?

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

  4. Question 4

    Why is a towel made of fabric like cotton?

    • A. It is transparent
    • B. It is hard
    • C. It is soft and absorbent
    • D. It is waterproof

  5. Question 5

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

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

  6. Question 6

    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

  7. Question 7

    Which material is best for a raincoat?

    • A. glass
    • B. waterproof plastic-coated fabric
    • C. cotton wool
    • D. paper

  8. Question 8

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

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

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Answer key: Choosing materials for a job

  1. 1. C. Wool keeps you warm because it traps air.

  2. 2. A. Metal is strong and conducts heat to the food

  3. 3. B. Copper conducts electricity; plastic insulates for safety

  4. 4. C. It is soft and absorbent

  5. 5. D. strength

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

  7. 7. B. waterproof plastic-coated fabric

  8. 8. D. a hard plastic that is a thermal insulator