A material is what an object is made from. An object can be made from more than one material.

Transparent materials are completely see-through.

Light cannot pass through objects that are opaque.

The result of a test or enquiry is what happened or what was found out.

Transparent and opaque materials: review

Science

In this Everyday materials unit, pupils learn to distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made. In the Uses of everyday materials unit they build on this knowledge to consider the suitability of materials for particular uses

Pupils will draw upon prior exploration of different materials in EYFS and their own everyday experiences.  In this unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to identify and name everyday materials and describe their simple physical properties

This unit focuses on distinguishing objects from the materials they are made of, identifying common materials like wood, plastic, and metal, and describing their physical properties. It involves comparing and grouping materials, performing simple tests, and using observations to answer questions.

Everyday materials

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

When we put materials into groups of transparent and opaque, which science skill are we using?

Transparent materials are useful for making ...

Opaque materials are useful for making ...

which materials are waterproof and not waterproof

which materials are transparent and opaque

Which of these photographs shows a transparent material?

Materials that do not let light through are called ...

Which of these photographs shows an opaque material?

What equipment could Laura use to investigate opaque and transparent materials?

Content guidance

Exploration of objects

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Transparent and opaque materials: review

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.