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Science lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 45 minutes

Identify a mystery material from its properties

Materials and their properties

CCSS NGSS.5-PS1-3England: KS2 Y5 Properties and changes of materials

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Identify a mystery material from its properties.

  • 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. You can see clearly through a window. Which word describes glass? (transparent / absorbent / stretchy / opaque) → transparentPrompt: Light passes straight through it.
  2. Which of these lets electricity flow through it? (a plastic spoon / a rubber band / copper wire / a wooden stick) → copper wirePrompt: Which one is a metal?
  3. Properties of materials: which statement is true? (All metals are magnetic. / Fabric is always waterproof. / Wood is transparent. / Plastic is usually waterproof.) → Plastic is usually waterproof.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: Identify a mystery material from its properties. 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: A mystery material is a grey metal that a magnet attracts. What is it most likely to be?
  • Step 1: Iron, steel, nickel and cobalt are the common magnetic metals.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: iron or steel
  • Answer: iron or steel
  • 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. A mystery material is a hard, transparent solid that shatters when dropped. What is it most likely to be? (plastic / iron or steel / glass / baking soda) → glassPrompt: Use each test result to rule out materials.
  2. A material conducts electricity, is not shiny and is soft and grey. It leaves marks on paper. What could it be? (wood / rubber / graphite (pencil "lead") / glass) → graphite (pencil "lead")Prompt: What do you write with that leaves a grey line?

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. You have two white powders: salt and chalk. Which test tells them apart safely? (Stir each into water: salt dissolves, chalk does not. / Look at their colour. / Smell them closely. / Taste them.) → Stir each into water: salt dissolves, chalk does not.Prompt: Never taste unknown substances in science.
  2. True or false? You should never taste a substance to identify it in a science lesson. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Which property tests tell materials apart?

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-5.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Identify a mystery material from its properties

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Which test shows whether a metal is copper or iron?

    • A. Check if it conducts electricity.
    • B. Check if it is a solid.
    • C. Bring a magnet near it.
    • D. Check if it is shiny.

  2. Question 2

    A mystery material is a shiny metal that conducts electricity but a magnet does not attract. What is it most likely to be?

    • A. salt
    • B. aluminium (aluminum)
    • C. baking soda
    • D. iron or steel

  3. Question 3

    True or false? Not all metals are magnetic.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  4. Question 4

    Why do scientists use several tests, not just one, to identify a material?

    • A. To use more equipment.
    • B. Different materials can share one property, so more tests narrow it down.
    • C. One test is never right.
    • D. Because materials change every test.

  5. Question 5

    A mystery material is a hard, transparent solid that shatters when dropped. What is it most likely to be?

    • A. baking soda
    • B. glass
    • C. iron or steel
    • D. plastic

  6. Question 6

    True or false? Salt can be recovered from salt water by evaporating the water.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  7. Question 7

    A mystery material is white crystals that dissolve in water and leave crystals behind when the water evaporates. What is it most likely to be?

    • A. plastic
    • B. salt
    • C. glass
    • D. aluminium (aluminum)

  8. Question 8

    A material conducts electricity, is not shiny and is soft and grey. It leaves marks on paper. What could it be?

    • A. wood
    • B. graphite (pencil "lead")
    • C. glass
    • D. rubber

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Answer key: Identify a mystery material from its properties

  1. 1. C. Bring a magnet near it.

  2. 2. B. aluminium (aluminum)

  3. 3. A. True

  4. 4. B. Different materials can share one property, so more tests narrow it down.

  5. 5. B. glass

  6. 6. A. True

  7. 7. B. salt

  8. 8. B. graphite (pencil "lead")