Year 1 Everyday materials

Knowledge and Understanding

Statutory Requirements

1c1: Distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made

1c2: Identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, water and rock

1c3: Describe the simple physical properties of a variety of materials

1c4: Compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties

Knowledge and Understanding

Notes and Guidance

Pupils should explore, name, discuss and raise and answer questions about everyday materials so that they become familiar with the names of materials and properties such as: hard/soft; stretchy/stiff; shiny/dull; rough/smooth; bendy/not bendy; waterproof/not waterproof; absorbent/not absorbent; opaque/transparent. Pupils should explore and experiment with a wide variety of materials, not only those listed in the programme of study, but including for example: brick, paper, fabrics, elastic, foil.

Pupils might work scientifically by: performing simple tests to explore questions, for example: ‘What is the best material for an umbrella? ...for lining a dog basket? ...for curtains? ...for a bookshelf? ...for a gymnast’s leotard?’

KS1 - Working Scientifically

Statutory Requirements

ks1w1: asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways

ks1w2: observing closely, using simple equipment

ks1w3: performing simple tests

ks1w4: identifying and classifying

ks1w5: using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions

ks1w6: gathering and recording data to help in answering questions

KS1 - Working Scientifically

Notes and Guidance

Pupils in years 1 and 2 should explore the world around them and raise their own questions. They should experience different types of scientific enquiries, including practical activities, and begin to recognise ways in which they might answer scientific questions. They should use simple features to compare objects, materials and living things and, with help, decide how to sort and group them, observe changes over time, and, with guidance, they should begin to notice patterns and relationships. They should ask people questions and use simple secondary sources to find answers. They should use simple measurements and equipment (for example, hand lenses, egg timers) to gather data, carry out simple tests, record simple data, and talk about what they have found out and how they found it out. With help, they should record and communicate their findings in a range of ways and begin to use simple scientific language.

These opportunities for working scientifically should be provided across years 1 and 2 so that the expectations in the programme of study can be met by the end of year 2. Pupils are not expected to cover each aspect for every area of study.

Everyday Materials Year 1

Through a range of grouping and sorting games and activities, pupils learn to distinguish between an object, its material, and the properties of its material. Their increasing scientific vocabulary is supported throughout by word banks. Pupils develop their scientific investigation skills through simple experiments into floating and absorbency, recording and interpreting their results. They apply their learning by suggesting suitable materials for familiar objects and explain their reasoning.

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Objects and materials Worksheet Free!

Outstanding Science Year 1 | Everyday materials | OS1C001

Learning objective

I can tell the difference between an object and a material.

Children learn about the difference between objects and materials. They use a word bank to select the correct object and material for 8 pictures.

ks1w4: identifying and classifying
1c1: Distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made

Objects are made of different materials.

Materials include plastic, ceramic, rubber, fabric, wood, paper, glass, and metal.

Year 1 Everyday materials | Outstanding Science

2 pages

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Naming materials Worksheet

Outstanding Science Year 1 | Everyday materials | OS1C002

Learning objective

I can name some everyday materials.

Children use a word bank to identify the material that 14 different objects are made from.

ks1w4: identifying and classifying
1c2: Identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, water and rock

Objects are made of different materials.

Materials include fabric, wood, ceramic, plastic, rubber, paper, brick, rock, glass, metal, water and leather.

3 pages

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Identifying materials Investigation

Outstanding Science Year 1 | Everyday materials | OS1C003

Learning objective

I can identify the materials that some objects are made from.

Children choose 18 objects from around the classroom. They draw a picture, name the object and identify the material. They cut and sort the objects by material.

Objects are made of different materials.

Materials include fabric, wood, ceramic, plastic, rubber, paper, brick, rock, glass, metal, water and leather.

Objects can be grouped by the materials from which they are made.

2 pages

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Objects and their properties Investigation

Outstanding Science Year 1 | Everyday materials | OS1C004

Learning objective

I can explain some properties of objects and materials.

Children choose 10 objects from around the classroom. They sort them according to their properties - bendy/not bendy, hard/soft, transparent/opaque.

ks1w4: identifying and classifying
1c3: Describe the simple physical properties of a variety of materials

Objects can have different material properties, such as bendy/not bendy, hard/soft, and transparent/opaque.

Objects can be grouped according to their material properties.

2 pages

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Floating and sinking Investigation

Outstanding Science Year 1 | Everyday materials | OS1C005

Learning objective

I can investigate whether an object floats or sinks.

Children carry out an investigation into whether 5 objects from around the classroom float or sink. They record their results on a simple table.

ks1w3: performing simple tests
ks1w4: identifying and classifying
ks1w5: using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
ks1w6: gathering and recording data to help in answering questions
1c3: Describe the simple physical properties of a variety of materials

Objects are made of different materials.

Some objects float in water, while others sink.

Material properties can be discovered through experiment.

Results of experiments can be compared.

1 page

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Grouping materials Game

Outstanding Science Year 1 | Everyday materials | OS1C006

Learning objective

I can group objects and materials by their properties.

Children work with a partner. They use 9 challenge cards to sort around 10 objects from around the classroom.

ks1w4: identifying and classifying
1c4: Compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties

Objects can be grouped according to their material properties.

Material properties include whether an object is transparent, soft, or flexible, those that sink or stretch, those that absorb water or are cold to the touch, and those that are made of metal or plastic.

1 page

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Choosing materials Worksheet

Outstanding Science Year 1 | Everyday materials | OS1C007

Learning objective

I can choose a good material for a purpose.

Children use a word bank to think of the best material to use in 8 different situations. They draw a picture of each object, and identify the material and its desirable properties.

ks1w4: identifying and classifying
1c4: Compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties

Objects are made of different materials.

Materials include metal, plastic, rubber, fabric, stone, brick, ceramic, paper, glass and wood.

Material properties include whether they are soft, hard, waterproof, absorbent, light, heavy, transparent, opaque, bendy, stiff, rough, smooth, warm, cold, stretchy, shiny, dull or pretty.

Human-made objects are made of materials chosen for their properties.

2 pages

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Investigating the best material Investigation

Outstanding Science Year 1 | Everyday materials | OS1C008

Learning objective

I can investigate the best material for a purpose.

Children carry out an investigation to find out which is the most absorbent of 4 materials. They use a table to order their results and use them to answer the question.

1c4: Compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties

Absorbent materials absorb water.

Material properties can be determined through experiment.

Some materials are more absorbent than others.

Results of experiments can be compared.

1 page

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Get instant access to all of our Year 1 resources.

Outstanding Science - Year 1 contains all of the following units:

Unit 1A - Plants

Unit 1B - Animals, Including Humans

Unit 1C - Everyday Materials

Unit 1D - Seasonal Changes

Buy Outstanding Science - Year 1

Primary Science Resources for the National Curriculum

Year 1 Everyday materials

Knowledge and Understanding

Statutory Requirements

Knowledge and Understanding

Notes and Guidance

KS1 - Working Scientifically

Statutory Requirements

KS1 - Working Scientifically

Notes and Guidance

Everyday Materials Year 1

Objects and materials Worksheet Free!

Outstanding Science Year 1 | Everyday materials | OS1C001

Learning objective

Naming materials Worksheet

Outstanding Science Year 1 | Everyday materials | OS1C002

Learning objective

Identifying materials Investigation

Outstanding Science Year 1 | Everyday materials | OS1C003

Learning objective

Objects and their properties Investigation

Outstanding Science Year 1 | Everyday materials | OS1C004

Learning objective

Floating and sinking Investigation

Outstanding Science Year 1 | Everyday materials | OS1C005

Learning objective

Grouping materials Game

Outstanding Science Year 1 | Everyday materials | OS1C006

Learning objective

Choosing materials Worksheet

Outstanding Science Year 1 | Everyday materials | OS1C007

Learning objective

Investigating the best material Investigation

Outstanding Science Year 1 | Everyday materials | OS1C008

Learning objective

Get instant access to all of our Year 1 resources.

Outstanding Science - Year 1 contains all of the following units:

Outstanding Science

Primary Science Resources for the National Curriculum

Primary Science Resources

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