Material properties
I can describe simple properties of everyday materials.
Material properties
I can describe simple properties of everyday materials.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Different materials can be described in different ways.
- The describing words we use for a material are called its properties.
- We use our senses when describing properties of materials.
- Materials can be compared and grouped on the basis of their simple properties.
Keywords
Material - A material is what an object is made from. An object can be made from more than one material.
Describe - To say or write what someone or something is like.
Properties - A material's properties are its qualities, such as how hard or soft it is or whether it is rough or smooth.
Observe - To observe is to look very closely and use other senses too.
Feel - To feel something is to touch it.
Common misconception
Some pupils may think that soft means smooth. Younger pupils may find it hard to describe a material based only on its properties (and not its function).
Opportunities to rehearse expressing ideas and describing properties. Teacher to model and correct as necessary, making clear the difference between the function of an object and the properties of its material(s).
To help you plan your year 1 science lesson on: Material properties, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 science lesson on: Material properties, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 science lessons from the Everyday materials unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
A variety of everyday materials with different properties, card, sticky tape, glue and/or stapler.
Content guidance
- Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
