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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 rubber band can be pulled longer and goes back. It is… (stretchy (elastic) / brittle / rigid / transparent) → stretchy (elastic)Prompt: What happens when you pull it?
  2. Which of these is attracted to a magnet? (a plastic ruler / a steel paper clip / a wooden pencil / an aluminium (aluminum) drinks can) → a steel paper clipPrompt: Only a few metals are magnetic, such as iron and steel.
  3. Properties of materials: which statement is true? (Glass is transparent. / Rubber is rigid. / All metals are magnetic. / Fabric is always waterproof.) → 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 are windows made of glass? (It is soft / It is absorbent / It is transparent, so light comes in / It is magnetic) → It is transparent, so light comes inPrompt: What do we want to do through a window?
  2. Why are car tyres (tires) made of rubber? (Rubber absorbs water / Rubber is transparent / Rubber is flexible and grips the road / Rubber is a metal) → Rubber is flexible and grips the roadPrompt: Think about grip and bumps in the road.

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 electrical wires made of copper covered in plastic? (Plastic conducts electricity better than copper / Copper is see-through / Copper conducts electricity; plastic insulates for safety / Copper is magnetic and plastic is shiny) → Copper conducts electricity; plastic insulates for safetyPrompt: Which part carries the electricity, and which part keeps you safe?
  2. Why is a towel made of fabric like cotton? (It is transparent / It is soft and absorbent / It is hard / It is waterproof) → It is soft and absorbentPrompt: A towel needs to dry you.

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

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

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

  2. Question 2

    Choosing materials: which statement is true?

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

  3. Question 3

    Why are windows made of glass?

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

  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

    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 see-through
    • D. Copper is magnetic and plastic is shiny

  6. Question 6

    Which material is best for a raincoat?

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

  7. Question 7

    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

  8. Question 8

    Why are car tyres (tires) made of rubber?

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

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Answer key: Choosing materials for a job

  1. 1. D. strength

  2. 2. B. Wool keeps you warm because it traps air.

  3. 3. A. It is transparent, so light comes in

  4. 4. C. It is soft and absorbent

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

  6. 6. D. waterproof plastic-coated fabric

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

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