1. Year Two – Spring Term – Science Focus: Uses of Everyday Materials
Sort a range of everyday objects according to their material properties (wood, metal, plastic, paper, fabric, wool, rubber, glass). Describe the materials using adjectives and scientific vocabulary
What vocabulary can I use to describe the materials used to make everyday objects?
Look around the classroom and make a list of different objects and the materials from which they are made.
Talk about the choice of material for various everyday objects e.g. gloves, spoon, cup, saucepan, cushion, What materials have been used and why? What would happen if the object was made from a less suitable material?
What properties of a given material make it suitable for it’s purpose?
Sort a range of materials according to scientific properties e.g. magnetic, not magnetic, transparent, opaque, will float, sinks etc.
Where do materials come from? How are they made? Which materials are natural and which are man-made?
Identify the different building materials used in constructing a house. (bricks, cement, tiles (slate), windows (glass), drain pipes (plastic), door (wood), scaffolding (metal). Why was each material chosen?
Sort materials into those which are found naturally and those which are man made.
What do we need to think about when planning a scientific investigation?
Find out the processes involved in making various everyday items e.g. sheep-wool-jumper, tree-wood-paper.
What happens to various materials when I try to change their shape?
Plan, carry out and record an investigation to find out the most suitable material for making a tent
What information can I find out about people who have invented useful new materials?
Investigate what happens to different materials when they are stretched, bent, twisted or squashed?
Key Vocabulary: materials, properties, wood, paper, card, metal, fabric, rubber, glass, wool, magnetic, transparent, see through, opaque, man-made, natural, bend, stretch, squash, twist, investigate, experiment, test,
Use the internet and information books to find out about Charles Macintosh (the inventor of waterproof fabric) and John Dunlop (the inventor of the air filled, rubber tyre)