Everyday Materials

Science Year 1/2 Exploring Changes

Observe a block of ice and record the changes. Devise an investigation to melt the ice quickly or slowly. Then create puddles and measure how they change. Take up the challenge of investigating the absorbency of fabrics and explore changes in wax through batik art and crayon making.

Session 1 Ice watching

Objectives

Watch a block of ice melt and record the changes. Understand what happens to the particles in ice when it melts and act this out in the playground.

Science Objectives
i) Identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, water, and rock (1EM).
ii) Describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials (1EM).
iii) Compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties (1EM).
iv) Identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses (2EM).
v) Find out how the shapes of solid objects made from some materials can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching (2EM).

Working Scientifically

  1. Ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways.
  2. Observe closely, using simple equipment.
  3. Perform simple tests.
  4. Use their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
  5. Gather and record data to help in answering questions.

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Understand that water is a material and ice is water in a different state (Yr2).
  • Observe a block of ice and record the changes (Yr1).
  • Consider the questions: how does the appearance of ice change as it melts? How long will the block of ice last? What will happen if we put salt on it? (Yr2).
  • Understand what happens to particles in ice and water by role-playing the movement of particles in the PE hall/playground.

Activities

  1. Understand that water is a material and ice is water in a different state.
  2. Observe and record the changes to a block of ice.
  3. Understand what happens to particles in ice when it starts to melt and turn to water.

Investigation - exploring, problem solving, observing over time
Observe a block of ice and record Understand what happens to particles in ice and water by role-playing the movement of particles in the PE hall/playground.
Year 1 - Observe a block of ice and record the changes.
Year 2 - Understand that water is a material and ice is water in a different state. Explain how the appearance of ice changes as it melts? How long will the block of ice last? What will happen if we put salt on it?

Vocabulary
Water, ice, melts, frozen, observe, materials, properties

Session 2 Frozen!

Objectives

Working with play figures frozen in ice, devise an investigation to release them. How can you melt the ice quickly to free the figure? Can you do it slowly so it takes a lot longer?

Science Objectives
i) Identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, water, and rock (1EM)
ii) Describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials (1EM).
iii) Compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties (1EM).
iv) Identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses (2EM).
v) Find out how the shapes of solid objects made from some materials can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching (2EM).

Working Scientifically

  1. Ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways.
  2. Observe closely, using simple equipment.
  3. Perform simple tests.
  4. Use their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
  5. Gather and record data to help answer questions.

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • ‘Ice Rescue!’ resource

Additional Resources

  • Large blocks of ice with play figures trapped (water frozen in bowls)
  • Trays
  • Clipboards
  • Cameras/recording devices
  • A selection of materials (bubble wrap, tin foil, paper, felt, plastic etc.)

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Observe a block of ice and consider how to change its state (Yr1).
  • Devise an investigation to melt the ice quickly or slowly (Yr2).
  • Make predictions about the outcome and test those predictions in the classroom.
  • Consider why it is useful for people to know how to regulate the melting of ice.

Activities

  1. Observe a block of ice, consider how to change its state and make predictions.
  2. Devise an investigation to melt the ice quickly or slowly (Yr2).

Investigation
Consider why it is useful to know how to regulate the melting of ice.
Year 1 - Observe a block of ice and consider how to change its state.
Year 2 - Devise an investigation to melt the ice quickly or slowly and make predictions.

Vocabulary
Water, ice, melts, frozen, observe, materials, properties

Session 3 Puddle patrol part 1

Objectives

Explore puddles outside and make your own! Observe what happens to a puddle over time and record the results.

Science Objectives
i) Identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, water, and rock (1EM).
ii) Describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials (1EM).
iii) Compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties (1EM).
iv) Identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses (2EM).

Working Scientifically

  1. Ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways.
  2. Observe closely, using simple equipment.
  3. Use their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
  4. Gather and record data to help answer questions.

You Will Need

Additional Resources

  • Wellies
  • Water
  • Plastic sheets
  • Chalk
  • Video recording devices
  • Strips of paper or ribbon for measuring the puddles
  • Large sheets of paper

Weblinks
Children splashing in puddles from www.youtube.com

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Understand that water is a material (Yr1).
  • Explore the properties of water by looking at puddles in the playground.
  • Talk and write about the best ways of observing and measuring how puddles change over time (Yr2).
  • Draw chalk lines around the puddles at different times, measure and observe the changes and make predictions.

Activities

  1. Explore the properties of water by looking at puddles in the playground (Yr1).
  2. Talk and write about the best ways of observing and measuring how puddles change over time (Yr2).

Investigation - exploring, observing over time
Create puddles in shallow containers or plastic sheets. Drawing chalk lines around the puddles, measure and observe the changes and make predictions. Discuss evaporation.
Year 1 - Understand that water is a material.
Year 2 - Talk and write about the best ways of observing and measuring how puddles change over time

Vocabulary
Water, ice, melts, frozen, observe, materials, properties

Session 4 Puddle patrol part 2

Objectives

Continue to explore puddles and observe how they change. Think carefully about what is happening: can you explain why a puddle changes?

Science Objectives
i) Identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, water, and rock (1EM).
ii) Describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials (1EM).
iii) Compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties (1EM).
iv) Identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses (2EM).

Working Scientifically

  1. Ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways.
  2. Observe closely, using simple equipment.
  3. Use their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
  4. Gather and record data to help answer questions.

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • Resource sheet for dance

Additional Resources

  • Wellies
  • Water
  • Plastic sheets
  • Chalk
  • Video recording devices
  • Strips of paper or ribbon for measuring the puddles
  • Large sheets of paper
  • Clipboard

Weblinks
Children splashing in puddles from www.youtube.com

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Consider what makes a difference to how puddles dry up and the rate at which they do (Yr2).
  • Create dances, portraying the changes in a puddle and a block of ice over time, and perform 'The Puddle Dance' and 'The Ice Dance' to an audience.

Activities

  1. Begin to consider what makes a difference to how puddles dry up and the rate at which they do (Yr2).
  2. Create dances, portraying the changes in a puddle and a block of ice over time, and perform 'The Puddle Dance' and 'The Ice Dance' to an audience.

Investigation - pattern seeking, problem solving
Create dances, portraying the changes in a puddle and a block of ice over time, and perform 'The Puddle Dance' and 'The Ice Dance' to an audience.
Year 1 - Consider what makes a difference to how puddles dry up and
Year 2 - Consider the rate at which they do.

Vocabulary
Water, ice, melts, frozen, observe, materials, properties

Session 5 Wonderful wax!

Objectives

Learn more about the waterproof properties of wax by having a go at a wax resist picture!

Science Objectives
i) Identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, water, and rock (1EM).
ii) Describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials (1EM).
iii) Compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties (1EM).
iv) Identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses (2EM).

Working Scientifically

  1. Ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways.
  2. Observe closely, using simple equipment.
  3. Use their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
  4. Gather and record data to help answer questions.

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Have a go at wax drawing and washing as a way of giving fabric waterproof properties.
  • Make a wax resist picture using wax crayons, oil pastels and paint.
  • Consider why waterproof material is sometimes used for making clothes and think of other reasons why a material may need to be made waterproof.

Activities

  1. Understand how to make a wax resist picture using wax crayons, oil pastels and paint.
  2. Understand why wax resist painting works and the role the wax plays in waterproofing.
  3. Consider the questions: why is waterproof material sometimes used for making clothes? Can you think of other reasons why a material needs to be made waterproof?

Investigation
Have a go at wax drawing and washing as a way of giving fabric waterproof properties. Make a wax resist picture using wax crayons, oil pastels and paint.
Year 1 - Consider why waterproof material is sometimes used for making clothes.
Year 2 - Think of other reasons why a material may need to be made waterproof.

Vocabulary
Material, properties, absorbency, waterproof, strong, resist

Session 6 Changing materials

Objectives

Talk about how some materials change shape when they are heated up. Chop up old wax crayons, heat them up and turn them into different shapes!

Science Objectives
i) Identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, water, and rock (1EM).
ii) Describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials (1EM).
iii) Compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties (1EM).
iv) Identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses (2EM).

Working Scientifically

  1. Ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways.
  2. Observe closely, using simple equipment.
  3. Use their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
  4. Gather and record data to help answer questions.

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • Particles Role Play resource
  • ‘Melting and Remoulding Wax Crayons’ resource

Additional Resources

  • Old wax crayons
  • Plain paper and paper for writing on
  • Silicone moulds
  • Old mugs or jugs
  • Scissors
  • Knife
  • Microwave

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Learn about what happens when a material is heated up and why it changes shape.
  • Role play what happens to the particles in a material when it is heated.
  • Chop up old wax crayons and heat in moulds in the microwave/oven.
  • Experiment with different moulds for different shaped crayons. Which shapes are more useful for holding and colouring with the wax?

Activities

  1. Understand what happens when a material is heated up and why it changes shape
  2. Discuss the importance of recycling materials
  3. Understand and experience recycling by remoulding wax crayons in new and different shapes

Investigation - exploring
Make a batik wax piece of art by applying molten wax to a piece of cotton and dying it. Chop up old wax crayons and heat in moulds in the microwave/oven. Make new wax crayon in a different shape.
Year 1 - Learn about what happens when a material is heated up and why it changes shape.
Year 2 - Role play what happens to the particles in a material when it is heated.

Vocabulary
Material, properties, absorbency, waterproof, strong, resist