Everything around us is made from materials. Whether a material occurs naturally, like water, or is made by humans, like concrete, every material has properties that allows them to be grouped together.
Materials can change their state and have different properties in each state. Water is a good example of this: ice has very different properties from liquid water!
Teach your children about materials using our handy topic guide!
Teaching Ideas
- Give children a selection of objects and a magnet to group them into magnetic and non-magnetic.
- Use these word cards to sort materials by their properties.
- Ask children to research the gases in the atmosphere and record their findings.
- Investigate which materials are waterproof, using this planning sheet.
- Make oobleck, an amazing material that acts like a liquid under some conditions, and like a solid under others!
- Imagine what would happen if an object was made from inappropriate materials. What would happen if a bridge was made out of jelly, or a coat made out of metal?
- Use this Oak Academy Unit on raw and synthetic materials with your class.
Resources
- Our Materials Pack includes information and activities for your materials topic.
- Print off one of our materials banners for your display board. A Solids, Liquids and Gases banner is also available.
- These printable vocabulary cards cover the states of water.
- Download useful vocabulary for your materials topic.
Materials Facts
- Anything that can be touched is made from material.
- Materials are chosen for their properties. For example, windows are made from glass because it is hard and transparent.
- Many items are made from more than one material. For example, a table can be made from wood, but metal screws and bolts hold it together.
- Some materials are natural, like rock, and others are made by humans, such as plastic.
- Materials can be combined together. For example, carbon and other materials are added to iron to make steel. Steel is stronger than iron because of the materials that have been added.
Videos
Materials And Their Properties
This video is a great introduction to the topic.
Running time: 3:57
What materials are waterproof?
Dr Brain and his team of scientists conduct an experiment to test if materials are waterproof.
Running time: 7:44
Materials song
This simple song will help younger children think about materials around them.
Running time: 1:08
Objects and Materials
This video encourages children to think about the materials everyday objects are made from.
Running time: 1:37
Books
The Iron Man
An iron giant suddenly appears from nowhere. He is taller than a house, with feet that are each as big as a bed.
King Midas: The Golden Touch
What happens when everything you touch turns to gold?
Three Little Wolves And The Big Bad Pig
What is the best building material for a house to keep out the big Bad Pig?
Why is ice slippery?
This book answers the question “Why is ice slippery?” and more in a clear format.
Amazing Materials
Find out all about the different states of matter in this informative book.
Everyday Materials
A great introduction to the topic for younger children.
Links
- This School Run page is perfect for research into materials.
- Visit the BBC Bitesize Materials page for information and activities.
- Sort everyday objects according to the material they are made from in this Wordwall activity.
- There is lots of information on the DKfindout! Materials page.
- This interesting experiment from Exploratorium will prompt children to think about how they perceive the temperature of different materials.
Are you teaching your children about other topics? Explore our full collection of guides!
