Investigating Materials 2:
What kind of material makes an object work well?
Plan Investigating Materials 2
Feather dusters … rubber duckies … wooden boats … a tin raincoat. One of these objects doesn’t sound very sensible. Why not?
In this lesson, students think about materials in terms of their usefulness to objects and the way those objects function. First they will consider what materials are appropriate for certain objects. Then they will brainstorm some materials that would be wildly wrong.
Together you will compile a table of objects and materials that function very well and very badly.
By the end of the investigation, students will have more experience distinguishing objects and the materials they are made of and have begun thinking about the properties of different materials, which is the subject of the next investigation.
Learning Goals
- to think about what materials make an object work well
- to learn to write a scientific reflection
| Sequence of experiences | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ask the question | All Class | 15 Mins |
| 2. Consider some materials | Small Groups | 15 Mins |
| 3. Make meaning | All Class | 10 Mins |
| 4. Write a reflection | Individual | 5 Mins |
Materials and Preparation
For the class:- Post the investigation question in a place where all students can see it.
- Make a table for class discussion on a whiteboard or flip chart, setting out lines for 7 objects; an example can be found in Step 1.
- 1 plastic spoon for class discussion
- 1 personal object selected by student
