lesson

One material, many jobs

Read with an adult. You can say, point, draw or write your answer.

1 · Learn

The same material can be used for different objects. Wood can be used for a table or a spoon. The same object can also be made from different materials: a spoon might be metal, wood or plastic.

We choose properties that suit the job. A table needs to hold things safely. A spoon needs a shape and material suitable for scooping food.

Wood → table or spoonSpoon → wood, metal or plastic
Key words and supplied examples.

2 · Worked example

I compare a metal spoon and a wooden spoon. Their material is different, but they can both be used to scoop.

3 · Your turn

Give two objects that could be made from wood. Does being made from the same material make them the same object?

Check your answer

A table and a spoon are examples. No: they are different objects with different uses, even though both can be wooden.

4 · Apply your learning

With an adult, draw two objects made from one material. Add a word explaining a useful property of each.

Adult guidance and safety

Use safe household objects, not hot utensils or tools. Encourage reasons tied to the job rather than claims that one material is always best.

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Write, draw or show your working. Use a mouse, pen or finger. This pad is not a submitted answer.

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Typed notes are not submitted answers.

My observation notebook

With an adult, look at a safe real example or a checked photograph. Name the example and say which you used. Record what you actually notice. Do not taste plants or materials, approach unknown animals or invent missing observations.

Tell your adult what you notice. They can help you write it. A prediction is what you think might happen; an observation is what you actually see, hear or feel safely.

Keep your notebook: use Download notebook before leaving. Nothing is sent to the website or saved to your account. Reopen the downloaded notebook here to add another day's record. Do not include names, addresses or other private information.

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