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Science lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 60 minutes

Test which materials are waterproof

Materials and their properties

CCSS NGSS.2-PS1-2CCSS NGSS.SEP 3England: KS1 Y1 Everyday materialsEngland: KS1 Working scientifically

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Test which materials are waterproof.

  • 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: 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 · 6 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: metal? (object / material) → materialPrompt: Ask: is it a thing you use, or the stuff things are made from?
  2. What material is this object usually made from: a wellington boot (rain boot)? (glass / clay (fired brick) / rubber / wool) → rubberPrompt: Think about how it feels: hard and see-through, soft and warm, bendy and waterproof…?
  3. Why are windows made of glass, not wood? (Glass is softer than wood. / Wood cannot be cut. / Glass is transparent, so light comes in and we can see out. / Glass is warmer than wood.) → Glass is transparent, so light comes in and we can see out.Prompt: What does a window need to let through?

Hook · 6 min

  • Pass round objects made of different materials and ask why each one was chosen.
  • Share the objective: Test which materials are waterproof. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 12 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Is this waterproof: a sponge?
  • Step 1: These materials soak up water or let it through.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: not waterproof
  • Answer: not waterproof
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 12 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. Is this waterproof: a cotton T-shirt? (waterproof / not waterproof) → not waterproofPrompt: Imagine pouring water onto it. Does the water soak in or run off?
  2. A teddy bear needs a coat for a rainy picnic. Which material should you choose? (a piece of plastic shower curtain / tissue paper / a cotton handkerchief / a paper towel) → a piece of plastic shower curtainPrompt: Which one stops water getting through?

You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Why are wellington boots (rain boots) made of rubber? (Rubber is very heavy. / Rubber is waterproof and bendy. / Rubber is see-through. / Rubber soaks up puddles.) → Rubber is waterproof and bendy.Prompt: What two jobs must a welly do?
  2. Is this waterproof: a raincoat fabric? (waterproof / not waterproof) → waterproofPrompt: Imagine pouring water onto it. Does the water soak in or run off?

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

  • 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-1.

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

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Test which materials are waterproof

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    A teddy bear needs a coat for a rainy picnic. Which material should you choose?

    • A. a paper towel
    • B. tissue paper
    • C. a piece of plastic shower curtain
    • D. a cotton handkerchief

  2. Question 2

    Is this waterproof: rubber?

    • A. waterproof
    • B. not waterproof

  3. Question 3

    How many more spoonfuls leaked through the paper towel than through the cotton?

    Spoonfuls of water that leaked through0246810121410cotton7wool13paper towel0plastic

    Answer

  4. Question 4

    Is this waterproof: a plastic bag?

    • A. waterproof
    • B. not waterproof

  5. Question 5

    A class poured the same amount of water onto squares of four materials over a cup and counted how much leaked through. Which material is waterproof?

    Spoonfuls of water that leaked through0246810121413cotton4wool7paper towel0plastic
    • A. cotton
    • B. wool
    • C. paper towel
    • D. plastic

  6. Question 6

    Why are paper towels good for mopping up spills even though they are not waterproof?

    • A. They push water away.
    • B. They soak up (absorb) water.
    • C. They are made of metal.
    • D. They turn water into ice.

  7. Question 7

    Is this waterproof: a cotton T-shirt?

    • A. waterproof
    • B. not waterproof

  8. Question 8

    Which material would make the WORST umbrella?

    Spoonfuls of water that leaked through024681010cotton7wool4paper towel0plastic
    • A. cotton
    • B. wool
    • C. paper towel
    • D. plastic

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Answer key: Test which materials are waterproof

  1. 1. C. a piece of plastic shower curtain

  2. 2. A. waterproof

  3. 3. 3

  4. 4. A. waterproof

  5. 5. D. plastic

  6. 6. B. They soak up (absorb) water.

  7. 7. B. not waterproof

  8. 8. A. cotton