• 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 / stretchy (elastic) / rigid / brittle) → stretchy (elastic)Prompt: What happens when you pull it?
2. Which material is the hardest? (foam / chalk / diamond / butter) → diamondPrompt: It is used on the tips of drills that cut rock.
3. Properties of materials: which statement is true? (Fabric is always waterproof. / Metals are good conductors of electricity. / All metals are magnetic. / Wood is transparent.) → Metals are good conductors of electricity.Prompt: Think about a coin, a window and a raincoat.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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? (baking soda / salt / glass / iron or steel) → glassPrompt: Use each test result to rule out materials.
2. 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. / Smell them closely. / Look at their colour.) → Stir each into water: salt dissolves, chalk does not.Prompt: Never taste unknown substances in science.

• 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.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

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? (salt / baking soda / aluminium (aluminum) / plastic) → plasticPrompt: Use each test result to rule out materials.
2. True or false? Salt can be recovered from salt water by evaporating the water. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Which property tests tell materials apart?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-5.