Sorting Materials by Properties
Learning Objective: Pupils can sort materials by their properties and explain their choices
About this resource
This comprehensive KS1 science lesson plan for Year 1 helps pupils explore and understand different material properties. Teachers can use this resource to guide children in sorting various materials based on observable characteristics, encouraging them to explain their reasoning. It directly supports the UK National Curriculum by developing scientific enquiry skills and knowledge of the everyday materials around us.
Starter
10 minutesPass around a 'mystery bag' of objects made from different materials (wooden spoon, metal key, plastic cup, fabric scarf, glass marble, rubber ball). Pupils feel each object and guess the material.
Main Activity
30 minutesPart 1: Material Properties Teach key properties:
- Hard or soft
- Rough or smooth
- Bendy or rigid
- Waterproof or absorbent
- Transparent or opaque
- Shiny or dull
Part 2: Sorting Activity Give groups a collection of 12 objects. Sort them by different properties:
- Sort 1: Hard vs Soft
- Sort 2: Waterproof vs Not waterproof
- Sort 3: Natural vs Man-made
Record sorting on a Venn diagram or table.
Part 3: Best Material Challenge Which material would be best for: an umbrella, a teddy bear, a window, a bridge? Explain your choices.
Plenary
10 minutesMaterial riddles: 'I am hard, shiny, and strong. I am used to make cars and bridges. What am I?' (Metal) Pupils create their own material riddle for a partner.
Differentiation
SEN Support
Fewer objects to sort. Visual property cards. Paired sorting with adult support.
EAL Support
Real objects to handle. Key vocabulary with pictures: hard, soft, rough, smooth. Paired sorting.
Gifted & Talented
Research a material (e.g., graphene) and explain why it is special. Design a new material for a specific purpose.
Key Vocabulary
Assessment Criteria
- Can name at least 5 materials
- Can describe properties using correct vocabulary
- Can sort materials by properties