Uses of everyday materials
Investigating how the properties of materials make them suitable for different uses.
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Materials: Uses of everyday materials
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Name objects with the same use that are made from different materials.
- Name materials that are used to make objects with different uses.
- Recognise that stretching, twisting, bending and squashing can cause some solid objects to change shape.
- Name properties that make materials suitable for their use.
When working scientifically, pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Measure using non-standard units.
- Recording results in a table.
- Use data to answer a simple question.
- Record results in a block graph.
Please note that Kapow Primary Science lessons are designed to be 1 hour and 30 minutes long to reflect the requirements of a core subject.
Suggested prior learning
Materials: Everyday materials
Get startedLessons
Lesson 1: Objects and materials
Knowledge
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To recognise that objects are made from materials that suit their uses.
Working scientifically
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To recognise that objects can be grouped.
Lesson 2: Which material is suitable?
Lesson 3: Stretch it, twist it, bend it, squash it!
Lesson 4: Testing stretchiness
Lesson 5: Testing strength
Lesson 6: Eco-friendly materials
Key skills
Key knowledge
Equipment list
Equipment needed across all lessons in this unit.
This list does not include equipment which is usually readily available in the classroom (e.g pencils, A4 paper etc)
Full equipment list for the subject
Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected
- ‘The Smartest Giant in Town’ by Julia Donaldson ×1
- Pe hoops 2
- A selection of everyday objects made from wood, metal, glass, plastic and fabric (e.g. bottle, chopping board, plant pot and bag). ×1
- Modelling dough ×30
- Digital camera ×1
- A selection of everyday object to test (e.g. rubber bands, paper clips, rubbers and sponges). ×1
- 30 strips of material for testing strength (e.g. rubber bands, wool, balloons and cotton). ×1
- Connecting cubes Each child: 10
-
Thick books (e.g. dictionaries, atlases or thesauruses)
Each pair: 6
The equipment below is optional
-
High visibility jacket, hard hat and clipboard (teacher use)
×1 - Small dog figurine ×1
-
Tray containing mud
×1
Equipment list
Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected
- ‘The Smartest Giant in Town’ by Julia Donaldson ×1
- Pe hoops 2
- A selection of everyday objects made from wood, metal, glass, plastic and fabric (e.g. bottle, chopping board, plant pot and bag). ×1
- Modelling dough ×30
- Digital camera ×1
- A selection of everyday object to test (e.g. rubber bands, paper clips, rubbers and sponges). ×1
- 30 strips of material for testing strength (e.g. rubber bands, wool, balloons and cotton). ×1
- Connecting cubes Each child: 10
-
Thick books (e.g. dictionaries, atlases or thesauruses)
Each pair: 6
The equipment below is optional
-
High visibility jacket, hard hat and clipboard (teacher use)
×1 - Small dog figurine ×1
-
Tray containing mud
×1
Related content
Unit resources
Knowledge organiser – Science Y2: Uses of everyday materials
Aimed at pupils, a single page which gives key facts and definitions from the unit ‘Uses of everyday materials’.
Vocabulary display – Science Y2: Uses of everyday materials
A display version of the vocabulary for the unit 'Uses of everyday materials'.
Cross-curricular opportunities
Design and technology: Exploring how structures can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable.
English: Writing – vocabulary, grammar and punctuation.
Maths: Measurement; Number – fractions; Multiplication and division.
British values: Accepting responsibility for their behaviour; Contributing positively to society.