Changing Materials - Teacher Explanation

Welcome to Lesson 2.6, Changing Materials, tailored for Year 2 pupils studying the Uses of Materials unit as part of the National Curriculum. In this lesson, students will discover how the shapes of solid objects made from various materials can be altered by squashing, bending, twisting, and stretching. It is crucial to ensure all materials are safe for handling, without sharp edges or broken parts, and to promptly clean up any spills to prevent slip hazards. Eye protection may also be necessary. This lesson not only covers scientific principles but also incorporates cross-curricular links with English, as pupils will write scientific reports, Art, through designing and creating clay figures, and History, by exploring the materials used in ancient structures like the pyramids.

The first activity involves pupils performing mechanical actions on a selection of objects made from different materials, observing the effects, and recording their findings in a results table. This hands-on experience helps them understand the properties of materials and how they respond to various forces. In a subsequent task, students will focus on similar materials such as plasticine, modelling clay, and play dough, testing their properties and writing a scientific paper on their observations. The final creative task allows pupils to design and create their own model using modelling clay, which hardens over time, providing a lasting artefact of their work. This activity emphasises the importance of planning and design in the creation process, a valuable skill in many real-world applications. Enjoy the lesson, and we look forward to seeing the wonderful models your pupils will create!