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Science · Pre-K

Properties of Familiar Materials

Children name what everyday things are made of (wood, metal, cloth, paper, plastic, glass) and run two simple tests: a drip test to see which materials soak up water and which keep it out, and a look-through test to see which materials are see-through. They use what they found to pick a material for a raincoat and a window.

  • 3 lessons
  • About 35 minutes
  • Materials check: 4 questions
  • Ways to answer: choose an answer and sort into groups
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What learners will discover

  • Name what familiar objects are made of, such as wood, metal or cloth.
  • Test whether a material soaks up water or keeps water out, using a drip test.
  • Test whether a material is see-through, and use what they found to choose a material for a job.

Lessons

  1. What is it made of? 3 steps1 practiceabout 11 min
  2. Soak it up or keep it out? 4 steps1 practiceabout 12 min
  3. See-through, and picking for a job 4 steps2 practiceabout 12 min
  4. Materials check 4 questions at the end

Keep exploring

Games to practice with

  • Body ExplorerTap, match and label your way around the amazing human body.
  • Seasons and SkiesFrom days of the week to Earth's tilt: dress for the weather, read the sky and discover why seasons happen.
  • Science QuizzesOlly's Science Quiz Show: plants, animals, the body, weather, space and more, for every grade.

More pre-K science

Guide for grown-ups