Key Stage 2

Science KS 2 Unit 3C Characteristics of materials

Through this unit children should extend their knowledge of the range of materials we use and of the properties that characterise them. This knowledge should help them recognise what needs to be considered when a material is chosen for a particular use. Experimental and investigative work focuses on:

• planning investigations.
• deciding what to change, what to keep the same and what to measure.
• deciding whether a fair comparison was made.
• using results to draw conclusions.

Work in this unit also offers opportunities for children to relate science to materials they use every day, to obtain evidence to test ideas, and to identify hazards and risks as they work.

This unit takes approximately 10 hours.

OTHER RESOURCES

• collections of objects made from different materials eg wood, glass, metal
• video/pictures of everyday objects made of specific materials
• collection of floor coverings, weights
• measuring jugs and other apparatus for measuring volume
• variety of paper towels
• variety of tights
• apparatus for measuring