• 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? (transparent / absorbent / stretchy / opaque) → transparentPrompt: Light passes straight through it.
2. Which of these lets electricity flow through it? (a plastic spoon / a rubber band / copper wire / a wooden stick) → copper wirePrompt: Which one is a metal?
3. Properties of materials: which statement is true? (All metals are magnetic. / Fabric is always waterproof. / Wood is transparent. / Plastic is usually waterproof.) → Plastic is usually waterproof.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? (plastic / iron or steel / glass / baking soda) → glassPrompt: Use each test result to rule out materials.
2. A material conducts electricity, is not shiny and is soft and grey. It leaves marks on paper. What could it be? (wood / rubber / graphite (pencil "lead") / glass) → graphite (pencil "lead")Prompt: What do you write with that leaves a grey line?

• 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. You have two white powders: salt and chalk. Which test tells them apart safely? (Stir each into water: salt dissolves, chalk does not. / Look at their colour. / Smell them closely. / Taste them.) → Stir each into water: salt dissolves, chalk does not.Prompt: Never taste unknown substances in science.
2. True or false? You should never taste a substance to identify it in a science lesson. (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.