Metals vs. Non-Metals: Exploring Material Properties

Science Grades 5th Grade 6:15 Video
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Lesson Description

This lesson explores the properties of metals and non-metals, helping students understand how these properties determine their uses in everyday objects.

Video Resource

Metals and non metals Part 1

Blouberg Ridge Primary

Duration: 6:15
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Metals have distinct properties: strong, hard, shiny, malleable, ductile, good conductors of heat and electricity.
  • Non-metals have different properties: brittle, dull, poor conductors (insulators), not malleable or ductile.
  • Properties of materials determine their use.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to differentiate between metals and non-metals based on their properties.
  • Students will be able to identify examples of metals and non-metals found in everyday objects.
  • 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 what they know about metals and non-metals. Show examples of objects made of metals and non-metals (e.g., a metal spoon, a plastic ruler). Ask students to describe what they observe.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Play the YouTube video "Metals and non metals Part 1" from Blouberg Ridge Primary. Instruct students to take notes on the key properties of metals and non-metals as they are presented in the video.
  • Discussion (8 mins)
    After the video, review the key concepts of metals and non-metals. Discuss the definitions of ore, properties, malleable, ductile, rust, conduct, alloy, and plated. Emphasize how these concepts relate to understanding the characteristics of each material.
  • Activity: Property Sorting (10 mins)
    Divide students into small groups. Provide each group with a set of cards, each with a property (e.g., shiny, brittle, conducts heat, malleable). Have them sort the cards into two categories: Metals and Non-metals.
  • Experiment Discussion (5 mins)
    Review the experiment to make dull metals shiny as described in the video, explaining what students will need. Answer and questions.
  • Conclusion (5 mins)
    Summarize the lesson by reviewing the key differences between metals and non-metals. Ask students to provide examples of objects and explain why the material was chosen based on its properties.

Interactive Exercises

  • Metal or Non-Metal Hunt
    Have students walk around the classroom or their homes and identify objects made of metals and non-metals. They should record their findings and explain why they think that material was chosen for that object.

Discussion Questions

  • Why are cooking pots made of metal and not plastic?
  • What are some advantages and disadvantages of using metal versus non-metal materials?

Skills Developed

  • Observation
  • Classification
  • Critical Thinking

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of these is a property of metals?

Correct Answer: Shiny

Question 2:

What does it mean if a metal is malleable?

Correct Answer: It can be hammered into shapes

Question 3:

Which of these is a good conductor of heat?

Correct Answer: Copper

Question 4:

What is the reddish-brown layer formed when iron combines with air and water called?

Correct Answer: Rust

Question 5:

Which of these is an example of a non-metal?

Correct Answer: Glass

Question 6:

What does 'ductile' mean?

Correct Answer: Able to be stretched into wire

Question 7:

Materials are chosen to make products based on their:

Correct Answer: Properties

Question 8:

Which material is known for being a poor conductor of heat, also known as an insulator?

Correct Answer: Wood

Question 9:

What is it called when a metal is coated by another metal?

Correct Answer: Plating

Question 10:

Which of the following is NOT a property of non-metals?

Correct Answer: Shiny

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A rock that contains minerals and metals is called an _______.

Correct Answer: ore

Question 2:

Being able to be hammered into shapes is called being ________.

Correct Answer: malleable

Question 3:

A metal mixed with another metal or non-metal is called an ________.

Correct Answer: alloy

Question 4:

Non-metals are poor conductors of heat, so they are called ________.

Correct Answer: insulators

Question 5:

If something is ________ it is easily broken.

Correct Answer: brittle

Question 6:

The qualities or characteristics of matter are its _______.

Correct Answer: properties

Question 7:

Metals are used in cooking pots because they melt at a _______ temperature.

Correct Answer: high

Question 8:

A material that does not let heat or electricity pass through easily is a poor ________.

Correct Answer: conductor

Question 9:

Being able to be drawn into wires is called being ________.

Correct Answer: ductile

Question 10:

The layer formed when iron combines with air and water is called ________.

Correct Answer: rust

Educational Standards

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

Teaching Materials

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