This Year 1 everyday materials unit introduces pupils to common materials and their properties through practical investigation and hands-on scientific enquiry. Across six engaging lessons, pupils identify materials, compare their properties and begin exploring why different materials are used for different purposes.
Aligned with the National Curriculum, the unit supports pupils in distinguishing between objects and the materials they are made from while developing confidence with scientific vocabulary and observation skills. Pupils investigate materials found in the classroom and local environment and carry out simple tests linked to properties such as waterproof, absorbent, transparent, bendy and rigid.
Part of our comprehensive Scintillating Science scheme, this unit includes lesson plans, interactive teaching slides, differentiated worksheets, practical investigations and assessment materials to support confident Year 1 science teaching.
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Everyday materials
Working scientifically
This Year 1 science unit helps pupils develop understanding of everyday materials and their properties through practical exploration and simple scientific testing. Pupils investigate how materials look, feel and behave while learning to compare, group and describe materials using appropriate scientific vocabulary.
Lessons encourage pupils to explore materials found in familiar environments and begin understanding why certain materials are chosen for particular objects. Through hands-on enquiry, pupils test materials for properties such as waterproof, absorbent, transparent, bendy and rigid while developing confidence with observation and discussion.
The unit supports progression in working scientifically skills by encouraging pupils to ask questions, carry out simple comparative tests and record findings using drawings, labels and simple tables.
This unit forms part of our wider Scintillating Science scheme, supporting progression from EYFS science through to KS1 science.
