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A collage of materials.

Year 1
Exploring Materials

Identify and classify different materials, discover the ‘odd’ object and go on a treasure hunt. Play with water and ice and create a sculpture from recycling. By providing informed lesson plans and resources, we support parents and educators in guiding children through their learning journey. Hands-On Education understand all children are individual and learn in different ways. We firmly believe learning should be engaging and fun. We have enjoyed putting these hands-on activities together and finding a range of ideas for our children to access learning.

Within this topic you will find:

  • 6 activity plans, all of which clearly explain how to prepare and carry out each activity.
  • 8 activity sheets and cards to support your child in recording their investigations.

This topic meets aspects within the National Curriculum in England in the following subjects: Art and Science.

Gain Full Access with an
Annual Key Stage 1 Membership
    Relation to Curriculum in England: = Art = Design & Technology = Science
    Download Links: = Activity Plan = Activity Sheet(s)
Click to Enlarge Activity Resources Relation to National Curriculum Downloads
Activity One - Grouping Objects By Material

Activity 1
Grouping Objects By Material

  • Sc1/1.4 identifying and classifying
  • Sc1/3.1a distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made
  • Sc1/3.1b identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, and rock
Activity Two - Odd Object Out

Activity 2
Odd Object Out

  • Objects made of different materials. For Example:
    Metal: Spoon / coin / sieve
    Plastic: Lego / bowl / toys
    Glass: Jug / marble / jam jar
    Wood: Blocks / toys
    Rock: Stones
  • Sc1/3.1a distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made
  • Sc1/3.1b identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, and rock
Activity Three - Describing The Properties Of Materials

Activity 3
Describing The Properties Of Materials

  • Sc1/3.1a distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made
  • Sc1/3.1d compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties
  • DT1/1.3a explore and evaluate a range of existing products
Activity Four - Treasure Hunt

Activity 4
Treasure Hunt

  • Sc1/3.1a distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made
  • Sc1/3.1b identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including water
  • Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials
Activity Five - Explore With Water And Ice

Activity 5
Explore With Water And Ice

  • Sc1/3.1b identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including water
  • Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials
Activity Six - Create A Recycling Sculpture

Activity 6
Create A Recycling Sculpture

  • Range of recycling items. For example:
    Yoghurt pots / wooden egg cartons
    Cereal box / toilet roll
    Straws / bottle tops
  • Scissors
  • Glue / Tape
  • Ar1/1.1 to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products
  • Ar1/1.2 to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share
  • Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials

Symbols Key

    Relation to Curriculum in England: = Art = Design & Technology = Science
    Download Links: = Activity Plan = Activity Sheet(s)
Activity One - Grouping Objects By Material

Activity 1
Grouping Objects By Material

Practical Resources:
Relation to Curriculum in England:
  • Sc1/1.4 identifying and classifying
  • Sc1/3.1a distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made
  • Sc1/3.1b identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, and rock
Downloads:
Activity Two - Odd Object Out

Activity 2
Odd Object Out

Practical Resources:
  • Objects made of different materials. For Example:
    Metal: Spoon / coin / sieve
    Plastic: Lego / bowl / toys
    Glass: Jug / marble / jam jar
    Wood: Blocks / toys
    Rock: Stones
Relation to Curriculum in England:
  • Sc1/3.1a distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made
  • Sc1/3.1b identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, and rock
Downloads:
Activity Three - Describing The Properties Of Materials

Activity 3
Describing The Properties Of Materials

Practical Resources:
Relation to Curriculum in England:
  • Sc1/3.1a distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made
  • Sc1/3.1d compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties
  • DT1/1.3a explore and evaluate a range of existing products
Downloads:
Activity Four - Treasure Hunt

Activity 4
Treasure Hunt

Practical Resources:
Relation to Curriculum in England:
  • Sc1/3.1a distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made
  • Sc1/3.1b identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including water
  • Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials
Downloads:
Activity Five - Explore With Water And Ice

Activity 5
Explore With Water And Ice

Practical Resources:
Relation to Curriculum in England:
  • Sc1/3.1b identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including water
  • Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials
Downloads:
Activity Six - Create A Recycling Sculpture

Activity 6
Create A Recycling Sculpture

Practical Resources:
  • Range of recycling items. For example:
    Yoghurt pots / wooden egg cartons
    Cereal box / toilet roll
    Straws / bottle tops
  • Scissors
  • Glue / Tape
Relation to Curriculum in England:
  • Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials
  • Ar1/1.1 to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products
  • Ar1/1.2 to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share
Downloads:

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