K.PS.1: Objects and materials can be sorted and described by their properties

Test It, Choose It: Materials Grades K–2

What is a spoon made of, and why isn't it made of paper? Children sort objects by material, test which materials keep the rain out and which keep the sun off, and choose the right material for a job. Kitchen, stationery and recycling-bin materials, no weather needed.

• What is it made of? 40–50 min

  Children reach into a feely bag, describe what they touch and guess what it is made of, then sort a tray of everyday objects into wood, metal, plastic, glass, paper, fabric, rubber and rock. They learn to tell an object from its material and to describe materials with property words.

• Which hat keeps the sun off? 50–60 min, or two 30-minute parts

  Children lay dark cloth, light cloth, paper, foil and card in the sun or under a lamp, feel which gets warmest and test which makes the darkest shadow. They also stretch, bend and squash materials to see which spring back. Then they design and build a sun hat and say why they chose each material.

Printable practice for K.PS.1

These pages practise a closely related idea; the match to K.PS.1 is partial.

• Test It, Choose It: Materials workbook included with the unit

  3 English-support pages, 3 practice pages, 3 readings, 1 word wall, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.

• Kitchen Chemistry for Families workbook included with the unit

  1 word wall, 1 English-support page, 1 practice page, 1 reading, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.

• Sound: Can You See a Sound? workbook included with the unit

  1 practice page, 1 reading, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.

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