Curriculum link: Different materials can be combined, including by mixing, for a particular purpose (ACSSU031)

Science involves asking questions about, and describing changes in, objects and events (ACSHE034)
Respond to and pose questions, and make predictions about familiar objects and events (ACSIS037)
Objective/learning intention: To engage students in the concept. To assess current student understanding
Equipment: A3 Paper (one for each table)
Potential Alternative conceptions: Students may confuse hardness with strength when describing materials. Students may think that cotton
products are processed when they actually come from plants. Students may think the word material only refers to cloth or fabric.
Phase

EST
TIME

Intro
5 mins

Questions

15 mins

ACTIVITIES
Students work in table groups.
Each table has an A3 piece of paper.
Students write answers on A3.
Explain to students that we are beginning a Science unit on materials.
Explain that to begin with I am going to see what they already know by asking them to work in their table
groups to answer the questions I ask them.
I will nominate a scribe for each table.
1. What are materials?
2 .What is a man made material?
3. What is a natural material?
4. List as many man made materials as you can.
5. List as many natural materials as you can
6, Name something that is made of more than one (combined) material.
7. List a material that is waterproof
8. Name a weak material
9. Name a strong material

10. Name a material that can be recycled

11. Provide each table with (Pencil) students must describe the material, if its man- made, hard/soft,
light/heavy etc.
Share

Daily drawing

10 15
mins

Go through each question one at a time and have tables share their responses.
Hold discussion on answers where relevant.
If it does not come up naturally begin discussion on why some materials are used for specific purposes
Ask what are buildings commonly made out of? (bricks).
Why do you think bricks are used? (Sound and heat resistant, high durability, high strength).
What are the bottom of shoes often made out of? (rubber)
Why do you think they are? (soft, flexible, durable).

10 mins

Drink bottle

Examples of Natural and Man made (processed materials)

Natural
Wool
Cotton
Waxes
Wood (timber)
Sand
Rocks
Oil (crude)
Leather
Gold

Man made
Metals
Ceramics
Glass
Plastics
Bricks
Paper

Pencil is made of natural materials (wood and graphite) however the graphite is a refined natural material.