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Mopping up

Science Year 2
This unit is part of Year 2 Science Materials Matter

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Objectives

Explore the properties of different kitchen papers and disposable cloths. Rise to the challenge of mopping water from the floor. Which paper is the most absorbent? Which will be the best for mopping up the spillage?

Science Objectives
i) Identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses.

ii) Find out how the shapes of solid objects made from some materials can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching.

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. Identify and classify.
  5. Use observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
  6. Gather and record data to help in answering questions.

Extended Writing Opportunities
Recount: Write a science report recounting how you investigated the absorbency of various materials and what you found out.

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Explore the properties of different kitchen paper and disposable cloths.
  • Make predictions about which would be best at mopping up a spillage of water.
  • Investigate which papers are the most absorbent by choosing a method and working in a group.
  • Understand the different reasons why people may need to use absorbent materials.

Activities

  1. Create hypotheses and make predictions about the absorbency of different kitchen paper and disposable cloths.
  2. Investigate which papers are the most absorbent by choosing a method and working in a group.

Investigation
Consider the questions: are all makes of paper as good as each other? Or are some better than others?

Investigate which papers are the most absorbent by laying thin strips of equal length of different materials (including a waterproof strip) in a shallow tray and pouring coloured water onto the edge of the strips.

Vocabulary
Material, properties, absorbency, waterproof, strong, weak, hypothesis

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