Suitable and unsuitable materials
I can compare how suitable materials are for different uses based on their properties.
Suitable and unsuitable materials
I can compare how suitable materials are for different uses based on their properties.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Different objects can be made from different materials.
- The material that an object is made from is usually the most suitable for its use.
- The properties of materials make them suitable or unsuitable for particular uses.
- Materials can be compared and sorted into either suitable or unsuitable, for different uses.
Keywords
Material - A material is what an object is made from. An object can be made from more than one material.
Suitable - Someone or something that is suitable for a particular purpose or occasion is right or acceptable for it.
Properties - The describing words we use for a material are called its properties.
Unsuitable - Someone or something that is unsuitable for a particular purpose or occasion is not right or acceptable for it.
Compare - We compare things by looking at what is the same and what is different.
Common misconception
Children may instinctively classify objects by observational similarities or through knowledge of use rather than by the material from which the objects are made.
Clear explanation of how properties of materials make them suitable or unsuitable for a particular purpose.
To help you plan your year 2 science lesson on: Suitable and unsuitable materials, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 2 science lesson on: Suitable and unsuitable materials, 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 Uses of everyday materials unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Variety of different materials and objects made of different materials.
Content guidance
- Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
