Year 2 Uses of everyday materials

Knowledge and Understanding

Statutory Requirements

2d1: identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses

2d2: find out how the shapes of solid objects made from some materials can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching.

Knowledge and Understanding

Notes and Guidance

Pupils should identify and discuss the uses of different everyday materials so that they become familiar with how some materials are used for more than one thing (metal can be used for coins, cans, cars and table legs; wood can be used for matches, floors, and telegraph poles) or different materials are used for the same thing (spoons can be made from plastic, wood, metal, but not normally from glass). They should think about the properties of materials that make them suitable or unsuitable for particular purposes and they should be encouraged to think about unusual and creative uses for everyday materials. Pupils might find out about people who have developed useful new materials, for example John Dunlop, Charles Macintosh or John McAdam.

Pupils might work scientifically by: comparing the uses of everyday materials in and around the school with materials found in other places (at home, the journey to school, on visits, and in stories, rhymes and songs); observing closely, identifying and classifying the uses of different materials, and recording their observations.

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.

Properties Of Materials Year 2

Pupils carry out a range of experiments to predict and record the material properties of classroom objects, including magnetism, transparency, elasticity and flexibility. They identify the materials from which objects are made and explain why their material properties make them useful. Supported by a word bank, they choose suitable materials for a purpose. Pupils write in the first person as inventors of new materials, including John McAdam, Charles Mackintosh, and John Dunlop, to explain their achievements.

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Identifying Materials Worksheet Free!

Outstanding Science Year 2 | Uses of everyday materials | OS2D001

Learning objective

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

Children identify the materials from which common objects are made.

2d1: identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses

Objects can be made of different materials.

Materials include wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard.

Year 2 Uses of everyday materials | Outstanding Science

7 pages

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Properties of materials Investigation

Outstanding Science Year 2 | Uses of everyday materials | OS2D002

Learning objective

I can investigate the properties of different materials.

Children carry out an investigation into the properties of 10 small objects. They predict and test whether it is magnetic, transparent, floats, or can be squashed or stretched.

ks1w3: performing simple tests
ks1w2: observing closely, using simple equipment
ks1w6: gathering and recording data to help in answering questions
2d1: identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses

Objects are made of different materials.

Materials have different properties.

Material properties include the ability to float, to be stretched, to be squashed, transparency, and attraction to a magnet.

Material properties can be discovered through experiment.

2 pages

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Materials and their uses Worksheet

Outstanding Science Year 2 | Uses of everyday materials | OS2D003

Learning objective

I can explain how materials are useful in different situations.

Children learn about objects, materials, and properties. They look at 8 objects, identify the materials they are made from, and explain why they are suitable in each situation.

ks1w4: identifying and classifying
2d1: identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses

Objects are made of different materials.

Materials have different properties.

Objects made by humans are made of materials chosen for their properties.

Objects can be made of more than one material.

3 pages

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Choosing the right material Worksheet

Outstanding Science Year 2 | Uses of everyday materials | OS2D004

Learning objective

I can suggest suitable materials for new situations.

Children use a word bank of materials and their properties to choose the right material for 8 different situations. They draw a picture and explain their reasons.

ks1w4: identifying and classifying
2d1: identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses

Materials have different properties.

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

A material can be tough, flexible, rigid, waterproof, absorbent, light, heavy, strong, transparent, opaque, insulating, smooth, rough, fragile or reflective.

3 pages

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Grouping objects by material Worksheet

Outstanding Science Year 2 | Uses of everyday materials | OS2D005

Learning objective

I can group objects by the material that they are made from.

Children learn about objects, materials and properties. They look for objects in the classroom, identify their main materials and draw pictures of them, grouping by material.

ks1w4: identifying and classifying
2d1: identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses

Objects are made of different materials.

Materials have different properties.

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

Some objects are made of several different materials.

5 pages

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Properties of metals Investigation

Outstanding Science Year 2 | Uses of everyday materials | OS2D006

Learning objective

I can investigate and compare the properties of different metal objects.

Children learn about how metals are made. They carry out an investigation into the properties of up to 8 metal objects.

ks1w2: observing closely, using simple equipment
ks1w3: performing simple tests
ks1w6: gathering and recording data to help in answering questions
2d1: identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses

Metal has been used by humans for thousands of years.

Metals are extracted from the ground as ores and refined.

Metals can be shaped by being moulded, beaten or cut.

There are different types of metal with different names including gold, aluminium and iron.

Material properties can be discovered through experiment.

2 pages

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Inventors of new materials Worksheet

Outstanding Science Year 2 | Uses of everyday materials | OS2D007

Learning objective

I can explain how inventors have made new materials.

Children learn about three inventors of new materials - John Dunlop, John McAdam, and Charles Macintosh. They match statements to the correct inventor.

2d1: identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses

Some inventors have created new materials.

John McAdam invented a new road surface.

Charles Macintosh invented a waterproof fabric.

John Dunlop invented air-filled tyres.

4 pages

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Changing shape Investigation

Outstanding Science Year 2 | Uses of everyday materials | OS2D008

Learning objective

I can investigate how I can change the shape of different objects.

Children carry out an investigation into how they can change the shape of up to 8 classroom objects. They predict before they test and then discuss their findings.

ks1w3: performing simple tests
ks1w6: gathering and recording data to help in answering questions

Objects can be deformed in different ways.

Some objects can be deformed by hand, while others cannot.

Material properties can be discovered through experiment.

2 pages

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Get instant access to all of our Year 2 resources.

Outstanding Science - Year 2 contains all of the following units:

Unit 2A - Living Things And Their Habitats

Unit 2B - Plants

Unit 2C - Animals, Including Humans

Unit 2D - Uses Of Everyday Materials

Buy Outstanding Science - Year 2

Primary Science Resources for the National Curriculum

Year 2 Uses of everyday materials

Knowledge and Understanding

Statutory Requirements

Knowledge and Understanding

Notes and Guidance

KS1 - Working Scientifically

Statutory Requirements

KS1 - Working Scientifically

Notes and Guidance

Properties Of Materials Year 2

Identifying Materials Worksheet Free!

Outstanding Science Year 2 | Uses of everyday materials | OS2D001

Learning objective

Properties of materials Investigation

Outstanding Science Year 2 | Uses of everyday materials | OS2D002

Learning objective

Materials and their uses Worksheet

Outstanding Science Year 2 | Uses of everyday materials | OS2D003

Learning objective

Choosing the right material Worksheet

Outstanding Science Year 2 | Uses of everyday materials | OS2D004

Learning objective

Grouping objects by material Worksheet

Outstanding Science Year 2 | Uses of everyday materials | OS2D005

Learning objective

Properties of metals Investigation

Outstanding Science Year 2 | Uses of everyday materials | OS2D006

Learning objective

Inventors of new materials Worksheet

Outstanding Science Year 2 | Uses of everyday materials | OS2D007

Learning objective

Changing shape Investigation

Outstanding Science Year 2 | Uses of everyday materials | OS2D008

Learning objective

Get instant access to all of our Year 2 resources.

Outstanding Science - Year 2 contains all of the following units:

Outstanding Science

Primary Science Resources for the National Curriculum

Primary Science Resources

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