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Tough and flexible

Science Year 2
This unit is part of Year 2 Science Squash, Bend, Twist, Stretch

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Objectives

Consider and sort different materials according to their material properties. Wonder what the world would be like without rigidity and test materials for their durability and toughness.

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 their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
  6. Gather and record data to help answer questions.

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • Flexible objects resource

Additional Resources

  • A variety of objects with different material properties
  • A range of objects with the same material properties
  • Hoops
  • Labels on card
  • A selection of old clothes (sock, jeans, thin vest, overalls, sweatshirt)
  • Coarse grain sand paper
  • Wood block

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Identify and discuss the materials/properties of objects and sort them according to criteria.
  • Test materials for their durability and toughness and consider the usefulness of materials for our everyday lives.
  • Consider the question: if everything I touched became flexible, how would my life be different? Tell stories to each other about an average day in a world where nothing was rigid.

Activities

  1. Identify and sort objects with different material properties.
  2. Test fabrics for their durability and toughness and consider the everyday usefulness of materials.
  3. Consider the importance of material properties by wondering what life would be like without it.

Investigation - sorting, classifying and identifying
Sort objects in the classroom according to these criteria: flexible, rigid, hard, soft, stretchy, stiff.

Vocabulary
Flexible, rigid, hard, soft, stretchy, stiff, strong, weak, rigid, flexible, material, properties

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