Which materials were used to build the school? - Worksheet

The worksheet provided invites pupils to engage in a practical and interactive learning activity, where they explore the construction materials of their school. To begin, students are paired up and sent on a walk around the school premises, with the task of identifying and noting down various materials they come across. This might include brick, glass, metal, wood, or plastic, among others. The hands-on experience not only makes the learning process engaging but also helps students to connect with their immediate environment and understand the practical applications of different materials.

Following their exploration, the students then collaborate in groups of four to categorize the materials they've discovered into two distinct groups: those used on the exterior of the school and those used within the interior. This classification task encourages them to think critically about the properties and suitability of materials for different environmental conditions and uses. The discussion element of the activity prompts them to consider why certain materials are chosen for specific parts of the building, such as durability, insulation, or aesthetic appeal. Students are also asked to select one material and justify why it was a sensible choice for its particular location, fostering a deeper understanding of material properties and their functional applications in construction. The worksheet concludes by encouraging students to reflect on the broader question of how to make the most of the materials around us and why certain materials like glass, wood, plastic, brick, or metal are preferred for specific construction purposes.