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Science lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 60 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 · 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. A wooden door blocks light, so you cannot see through it. It is… (transparent / absorbent / stretchy / opaque) → opaquePrompt: No light passes through it.
  2. Which material is the hardest? (butter / diamond / foam / chalk) → diamondPrompt: It is used on the tips of drills that cut rock.
  3. Properties of materials: which statement is true? (Wood is transparent. / Fabric is always waterproof. / All metals are magnetic. / Glass 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: Identify a mystery material from its properties. 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: 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 · 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. A mystery material is white crystals that dissolve in water and leave crystals behind when the water evaporates. What is it most likely to be? (salt / baking soda / plastic / iron or steel) → saltPrompt: 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?

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. True or false? Only metals conduct electricity. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Which property tests tell materials apart?
  2. A material conducts electricity, is not shiny and is soft and grey. It leaves marks on paper. What could it be? (rubber / wood / glass / graphite (pencil "lead")) → graphite (pencil "lead")Prompt: What do you write with that leaves a grey line?

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

    Which test shows whether a metal is copper or iron?

    • A. Check if it is a solid.
    • B. Bring a magnet near it.
    • C. Check if it is shiny.
    • D. Check if it conducts electricity.

  2. Question 2

    True or false? Only metals conduct electricity.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  3. Question 3

    A mystery material is white crystals that dissolve in water and leave crystals behind when the water evaporates. What is it most likely to be?

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

  4. Question 4

    A mystery material is a hard, transparent solid that shatters when dropped. What is it most likely to be?

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

  5. Question 5

    True or false? All shiny materials are magnetic.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  6. Question 6

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

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

  7. Question 7

    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. iron or steel
    • B. plastic
    • C. salt
    • D. baking soda

  8. Question 8

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

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

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Answer key: Identify a mystery material from its properties

  1. 1. B. Bring a magnet near it.

  2. 2. B. False

  3. 3. A. salt

  4. 4. B. glass

  5. 5. B. False

  6. 6. B. Stir each into water: salt dissolves, chalk does not.

  7. 7. B. plastic

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