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Science lesson plan · 2nd grade (Year 3 in England) · 60 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 · 6 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? (opaque / absorbent / stretchy / transparent) → transparentPrompt: Light passes straight through it.
  2. Which material is the most flexible? (brick / glass / fabric / stone) → fabricPrompt: Which one can you fold without breaking?
  3. Properties of materials: which statement is true? (Rubber is rigid. / Glass is transparent. / Fabric is always waterproof. / Wood is transparent.) → Glass is transparent.Prompt: Think about a coin, a window and a raincoat.

Hook · 6 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 · 12 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 · 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. Why would a chocolate teapot be a bad idea? (Chocolate is too heavy / Chocolate melts when hot water is poured in / Chocolate is transparent / Chocolate is magnetic) → Chocolate melts when hot water is poured inPrompt: What happens to chocolate when it gets warm?
  2. Why are car tyres (tires) made of rubber? (Rubber is flexible and grips the road / Rubber is a metal / Rubber absorbs water / Rubber is transparent) → Rubber is flexible and grips the roadPrompt: Think about grip and bumps in the road.

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. Bridges are often made of steel. Which property matters most? (absorbency / softness / transparency / strength) → strengthPrompt: A bridge must carry heavy loads.
  2. Which material is best for a raincoat? (paper / waterproof plastic-coated fabric / glass / cotton wool) → waterproof plastic-coated fabricPrompt: It must keep the rain out and still bend.

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

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Date

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  1. Question 1

    Why are saucepans usually made of metal?

    • A. Metal is soft and bendy
    • B. Metal is transparent
    • C. Metal is strong and conducts heat to the food
    • D. Metal melts on the cooker

  2. Question 2

    Why are car tyres (tires) made of rubber?

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

  3. Question 3

    Choosing materials: which statement is true?

    • A. Glass is a good material for a football.
    • B. Cotton wool is good for a raincoat.
    • C. Metal is best for a window you want to see through.
    • D. Saucepan handles are often made of plastic or wood because they are thermal insulators.

  4. Question 4

    Which material is best for the handle of a frying pan?

    • A. a hard plastic that is a thermal insulator
    • B. ice
    • C. copper
    • D. glass

  5. Question 5

    Why are windows made of glass?

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

  6. Question 6

    Why are electrical wires made of copper covered in plastic?

    • A. Copper is magnetic and plastic is shiny
    • B. Copper is see-through
    • C. Plastic conducts electricity better than copper
    • D. Copper conducts electricity; plastic insulates for safety

  7. Question 7

    Why is a towel made of fabric like cotton?

    • A. It is soft and absorbent
    • B. It is waterproof
    • C. It is transparent
    • D. It is hard

  8. Question 8

    Why would a chocolate teapot be a bad idea?

    • A. Chocolate melts when hot water is poured in
    • B. Chocolate is magnetic
    • C. Chocolate is too heavy
    • D. Chocolate is transparent

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Answer key: Choosing materials for a job

  1. 1. C. Metal is strong and conducts heat to the food

  2. 2. A. Rubber is flexible and grips the road

  3. 3. D. Saucepan handles are often made of plastic or wood because they are thermal insulators.

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

  5. 5. B. It is transparent, so light comes in

  6. 6. D. Copper conducts electricity; plastic insulates for safety

  7. 7. A. It is soft and absorbent

  8. 8. A. Chocolate melts when hot water is poured in