Lesson 2: Where do materials come from?

This Year 1 where materials come from science lesson helps pupils explore the origins of familiar everyday materials. Pupils learn that materials used to make everyday objects begin as raw materials, including wood from trees, glass made from sand and materials such as plastic and paraffin wax made from crude oil.

The lesson supports the Year 1 National Curriculum requirements to distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made and identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, water and rock. Pupils also develop Working Scientifically skills by asking simple questions about materials and how they are made.

Where do everyday materials come from?

Pupils explore raw materials including rock, metal, crude oil, wood and sand before matching familiar objects and materials to their origins. They learn that wood comes from trees, glass is made from sand and paper is made using wood, while also considering how some materials are transformed before becoming the objects we use.

Year 1 materials lesson and resources

This lesson includes:

• Teacher lesson plan with National Curriculum links, vocabulary, misconceptions and assessment questions
• teaching slides exploring materials and their origins
• Minifluff letter to introduce the lesson
• Everyday Objects cards for identifying and grouping materials
• differentiated worksheets matching objects and materials to their origins

Explore more Year 1 Everyday Materials lessons and resources, or see our Year 1 science scheme.