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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: bottle? (object / material) → objectPrompt: Ask: is it a thing you use, or the stuff things are made from?
  2. What material is this object usually made from: a cardboard box? (rubber / metal / glass / cardboard) → cardboardPrompt: Think about how it feels: hard and see-through, soft and warm, bendy and waterproof…?
  3. A spoon can be made of metal, plastic or wood. What does this show? (Only metal can make spoons. / Wood is a kind of metal. / One kind of object can be made from different materials. / Spoons are a material.) → One kind of object can be made from different materials.Prompt: Is a spoon the object or the material?

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 sock / a saucepan / a wooden table / a cricket or baseball bat) → a sockPrompt: 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 wooden table / a cricket or baseball bat / a paperclip / a pencil) → a paperclipPrompt: 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. Spoons can be made of metal, wood or plastic. Why are wooden spoons good for stirring hot soup? (Wood melts in soup and adds flavour. / Wood is see-through. / Wood does not get hot quickly, so the handle stays cool. / Wood is magnetic.) → Wood does not get hot quickly, so the handle stays cool.Prompt: Which spoon would you want to hold in a hot pan?
  2. Three of these are usually made of glass. Which one is NOT? (a jam jar / a mirror / a window / a garden fence) → a garden fencePrompt: 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/ 8

  1. Question 1

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

    • A. a jam jar
    • B. a key
    • C. a window
    • D. a drinking glass

  2. Question 2

    A chair can be made of wood, metal or plastic. Which property must ALL chair materials have?

    • A. see-through
    • B. stretchy
    • C. strong enough to hold a person
    • D. soft like a pillow

  3. Question 3

    Which of these is usually made of wood?

    • A. a key
    • B. a paperclip
    • C. a jam jar
    • D. a pencil

  4. Question 4

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

    • A. a jam jar
    • B. a key
    • C. a bicycle frame
    • D. a paperclip

  5. Question 5

    Spoons can be made of metal, wood or plastic. Why are wooden spoons good for stirring hot soup?

    • A. Wood melts in soup and adds flavour.
    • B. Wood is magnetic.
    • C. Wood does not get hot quickly, so the handle stays cool.
    • D. Wood is see-through.

  6. Question 6

    Which of these is usually made of glass?

    • A. a drinking glass
    • B. a wooden table
    • C. a T-shirt
    • D. a saucepan

  7. Question 7

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

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

  8. Question 8

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

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

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

  1. 1. B. a key

  2. 2. C. strong enough to hold a person

  3. 3. D. a pencil

  4. 4. A. a jam jar

  5. 5. C. Wood does not get hot quickly, so the handle stays cool.

  6. 6. A. a drinking glass

  7. 7. B. Wood is tough and will not shatter when it hits a ball.

  8. 8. C. a cricket or baseball bat