Material Mania: Exploring the Properties of Matter

Science Grades 5th Grade 3:58 Video
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Lesson Description

In this lesson, students will explore the properties of different materials and discover why certain materials are chosen for specific purposes. We'll investigate concepts like flexibility, hardness, and waterproofness to understand how material properties impact our everyday lives.

Video Resource

Materials And Their Properties

ClickView

Duration: 3:58
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Materials are the substances that objects are made of.
  • Materials have observable properties, such as color, texture, flexibility, and hardness.
  • The properties of a material determine its suitability for different purposes.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify different materials (e.g., wood, plastic, metal, glass, fabric, rubber).
  • Students will be able to describe the observable properties of different materials (e.g., hard, soft, flexible, waterproof).
  • Students will be able to explain why certain materials are chosen for specific purposes based on their properties.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students to name different objects they see in the classroom. Then, ask them what those objects are made of. Introduce the concept of 'materials' and explain that different materials have different properties.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Play the 'Materials And Their Properties' video from ClickView. Instruct students to pay attention to the different materials mentioned and their properties.
  • Group Discussion (10 mins)
    After the video, divide the class into small groups. Each group will discuss the different materials they saw in the video and their properties. They will also discuss examples of how these materials are used in everyday life.
  • Material Sort (15 mins)
    Provide each group with a collection of small objects made from different materials (e.g., a piece of fabric, a plastic spoon, a metal key, a rubber band). Have them sort the objects based on their properties (e.g., hardness, flexibility, waterproofness).
  • Wrap-up and Assessment (8 mins)
    Review the key concepts of the lesson. Administer the multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank quizzes to assess student understanding.

Interactive Exercises

  • Material Scavenger Hunt
    Students go on a scavenger hunt around the classroom or school to find objects made of different materials. They then describe the properties of each material they find and explain why that material is suitable for that object.
  • Design a Product
    Students design a product (e.g., a backpack, a toy, a piece of furniture) and choose the materials that would be best suited for making it. They must justify their choices based on the properties of the materials.

Discussion Questions

  • What are some materials you see in your classroom or at home?
  • What are some properties of wood? Plastic? Metal? Fabric?
  • Why do we use glass for windows?
  • Why are clothes made out of fabric and not metal?
  • Why are houses made out of brick or wood instead of paper?

Skills Developed

  • Observation
  • Classification
  • Critical Thinking
  • Problem-Solving

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which material is known for being strong and often used in building bridges?

Correct Answer: Metal

Question 2:

Which material is usually see-through and used for windows?

Correct Answer: Glass

Question 3:

What property makes rubber a good material for tires?

Correct Answer: Flexibility

Question 4:

Which material is best for keeping you cool on a hot day?

Correct Answer: Cotton

Question 5:

Which material is often used for making waterproof containers?

Correct Answer: Plastic

Question 6:

Which of these properties describes how easily a material can bend?

Correct Answer: Flexibility

Question 7:

Which material is commonly used to make furniture?

Correct Answer: Wood

Question 8:

What material is used to make the shield of an umbrella?

Correct Answer: Plastic

Question 9:

Which material keeps you warm in the winter?

Correct Answer: Wool

Question 10:

Which of the following materials can you easily see through?

Correct Answer: Glass

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The handle of an umbrella is made from a ____ material to support the top.

Correct Answer: hard

Question 2:

________ is a material that lets us see through windows.

Correct Answer: Glass

Question 3:

Clothes made from ______ help you stay cool on a hot day.

Correct Answer: cotton

Question 4:

A material's ________ are what make it useful for certain jobs.

Correct Answer: properties

Question 5:

Houses are made from tough materials like bricks, wood, and _______.

Correct Answer: cement

Question 6:

________ is a flexible material often used for tires.

Correct Answer: Rubber

Question 7:

Many containers that hold liquids are made out of ________ because it's waterproof.

Correct Answer: plastic

Question 8:

_______ is a strong material that is often used to build cars and other vehicles.

Correct Answer: Metal

Question 9:

_______ is used to make warm clothes for cold weather

Correct Answer: Wool

Question 10:

_______ is often used to make paper

Correct Answer: Wood

Educational Standards

5.PS1.3:Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.

Teaching Materials

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