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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. A rubber band can be pulled longer and goes back. It is… (transparent / brittle / rigid / stretchy (elastic)) → stretchy (elastic)Prompt: What happens when you pull it?
  2. Which material is the hardest? (chalk / diamond / butter / foam) → diamondPrompt: It is used on the tips of drills that cut rock.
  3. Properties of materials: which statement is true? (All metals are magnetic. / Plastic is usually waterproof. / Fabric is always waterproof. / Rubber is rigid.) → 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 light, flexible material that does not conduct electricity and floats on water. What is it most likely to be? (plastic / aluminium (aluminum) / iron or steel / salt) → plasticPrompt: Use each test result to rule out materials.
  2. You have two white powders: salt and chalk. Which test tells them apart safely? (Smell them closely. / Taste them. / Stir each into water: salt dissolves, chalk does not. / Look at their colour.) → Stir each into water: salt dissolves, chalk does not.Prompt: Never taste unknown substances in science.

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. / Taste them. / Look at their colour. / Smell them closely.) → Stir each into water: salt dissolves, chalk does not.Prompt: Never taste unknown substances in science.
  2. A mystery material is a white powder that fizzes when vinegar is added. What is it most likely to be? (salt / baking soda / plastic / iron or steel) → baking sodaPrompt: Use each test result to rule out materials.

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

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

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

  2. Question 2

    A mystery material is a light, flexible material that does not conduct electricity and floats on water. What is it most likely to be?

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

  3. Question 3

    True or false? All shiny materials are magnetic.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  4. Question 4

    You have two white powders: salt and chalk. Which test tells them apart safely?

    • A. Look at their colour.
    • B. Taste them.
    • C. Stir each into water: salt dissolves, chalk does not.
    • D. Smell them closely.

  5. Question 5

    A mystery material is a grey metal that a magnet attracts. What is it most likely to be?

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

  6. Question 6

    True or false? Two materials with the same colour must be the same material.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  7. Question 7

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

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

  8. Question 8

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

    • A. True
    • B. False

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Answer key: Identify a mystery material from its properties

  1. 1. A. graphite (pencil "lead")

  2. 2. D. plastic

  3. 3. B. False

  4. 4. C. Stir each into water: salt dissolves, chalk does not.

  5. 5. B. iron or steel

  6. 6. B. False

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

  8. 8. A. True