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Year 1 - Science

Transparent and opaque materials: review

Everyday materials

Unit Summary

This unit focuses on distinguishing objects from the materials they are made of, identifying common materials like wood, plastic, and metal, and describing their physical properties. It involves comparing and grouping materials, performing simple tests, and using observations to answer questions.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to name transparent and opaque materials and talk about how they are useful.

Key Notes

  • The results of an investigation can tell us which materials are transparent and opaque.
  • Materials can be sorted into transparent and opaque.
  • Scientists think about how transparent and opaque materials can be useful to us.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • material: A material is what an object is made from. An object can be made from more than one material.
  • transparent: Transparent materials are completely see-through.
  • opaque: Light cannot pass through objects that are opaque.
  • results: The result of a test or enquiry is what happened or what was found out.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • In comparing the extent of a given property in two materials children may rely purely on observation rather than on active testing.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.

The results of an investigation can tell us which materials are transparent and opaque. Materials can be sorted into transparent and opaque.

2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'material'

A material is what an object is made from. An object can be made from more than one material. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.

3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.

Mistake: In comparing the extent of a given property in two materials children may rely purely on observation rather than on active testing. Correction: Ensure children have been able to test materials and generate a set of results.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 1 Science guide library.