Materials KS1
Teaching materials in KS1 gives children the opportunity to investigate the different substances that make up the world around them. Throughout Key Stage 1, pupils learn to identify everyday materials, describe their properties, compare how materials behave and understand why particular materials are chosen for different purposes.
Whether you are introducing Everyday Materials in Year 1 or exploring the properties of materials in greater depth during Year 2, PlanBee has everything you need to teach practical and engaging Science lessons. Discover complete schemes of work with lesson plans, slides, differentiated activities and hands-on investigations, all designed to support the National Curriculum.
What do children learn about materials in KS1?
Across the KS1 Science curriculum, children investigate a wide range of materials and their properties. They learn to identify common materials before exploring how their characteristics affect the ways in which they are used.
During their KS1 materials lessons, children learn to:
- distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made
- identify everyday materials such as wood, plastic, glass, metal, water and rock
- describe the physical properties of different materials
- compare and group materials according to their properties
- explain why certain materials are suitable for particular purposes
- investigate waterproof and absorbent materials
- explore how solid objects can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching
- ask scientific questions and carry out simple practical investigations
These activities help children develop their scientific vocabulary, observation skills and understanding of how materials are used in everyday life.
Everyday Materials Year 1
In Year 1, children are introduced to everyday materials in KS1 through observation, sorting and practical investigation. They learn that an object is not the same as the material from which it is made. For example, a spoon is an object that might be made from metal, plastic or wood.
The Year 1 National Curriculum requires pupils to:
- distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made
- identify and name a variety of everyday materials
- describe the simple physical properties of everyday materials
- compare and group materials based on their physical properties
PlanBee's Everyday Materials Year 1 scheme of work provides a complete sequence of ready-to-teach lessons. Children identify materials, investigate their properties, sort and compare objects, and consider which materials are most suitable for different purposes.
Exploring Everyday Materials Year 2
In Year 2, children build on their earlier learning by examining materials and their properties in more detail. They investigate why materials are suitable for particular purposes and explore how the shapes of solid objects can be changed.
The Year 2 National Curriculum requires pupils to:
- identify and compare the suitability of everyday materials for particular uses
- explore how the shapes of solid objects can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching
Children might investigate why windows are made from glass, why saucepans are often made from metal or which material would be best for making a waterproof coat.
PlanBee's Exploring Everyday Materials Year 2 scheme of work develops children's knowledge through practical investigations, scientific discussion and enquiry-based activities.
Properties of Materials KS1
When learning about the properties of materials in KS1, children develop vocabulary that helps them describe, compare and classify materials. Rather than simply naming an object, they begin to explain what it is made from and how that material behaves.
Common material properties explored in KS1 include:
- hard or soft
- rough or smooth
- shiny or dull
- stiff or flexible
- strong or weak
- waterproof or absorbent
- transparent, translucent or opaque
- stretchy or rigid
Children can then use these properties to explain why a material is suitable, or unsuitable, for a particular job.
Different Materials in KS1
Children should have opportunities to handle, observe and compare a range of different materials in KS1. Using real objects helps them recognise that the same object can sometimes be made from several materials and that one material can be used to make many different objects.
| Material | Common properties | Example uses |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | Hard, strong and sometimes rough | Furniture, doors and toys |
| Plastic | Lightweight, waterproof and sometimes flexible | Bottles, toys and containers |
| Glass | Transparent, smooth, hard and waterproof | Windows, jars and drinking glasses |
| Metal | Hard, strong and sometimes shiny | Cutlery, tools and saucepans |
| Fabric | Soft, flexible and often absorbent | Clothing, curtains and towels |
| Paper | Lightweight, flexible and absorbent | Books, packaging and writing |
| Rubber | Flexible, stretchy and waterproof | Tyres, gloves and elastic bands |
| Rock | Hard, strong and rigid | Buildings, walls and ornaments |
Waterproof and absorbent materials KS1
Investigating waterproof materials in KS1 is an effective way to introduce simple comparative tests. Children can test materials such as plastic, fabric, foil, paper and card to discover whether water passes through them.
They can also investigate absorbent materials in KS1 by observing how much water different materials soak up. These investigations help children understand that waterproof and absorbent do not mean the same thing. A waterproof material prevents water from passing through, while an absorbent material soaks up liquid.
Children can apply their findings to practical questions, such as:
- Which material would make the best umbrella?
- Which material would be suitable for a towel?
- What should a raincoat be made from?
- Which material would protect an object from water?
Natural and human-made materials KS1
Children may also explore the difference between natural and human-made materials in KS1. Natural materials come from plants, animals or the Earth, while man-made materials are manufactured by people, often using natural raw materials.
Examples of natural materials
- wood
- cotton
- wool
- stone
- leather
Examples of man-made materials
- plastic
- glass
- brick
- concrete
- nylon
Sorting and discussing these materials can help children begin to understand where materials come from and how they are processed and used.
Practical KS1 materials investigations
Practical activities are central to teaching materials in KS1. By handling objects, testing materials and discussing their findings, children develop scientific knowledge alongside Working Scientifically skills.
Useful KS1 materials experiments and activities include:
- sorting objects according to the material from which they are made
- grouping materials by their physical properties
- testing which materials are waterproof
- comparing how absorbent different materials are
- investigating which materials are transparent or opaque
- finding materials that are flexible, stretchy or rigid
- testing which material is best suited to a particular purpose
- exploring how objects change when they are bent, twisted, stretched or squashed
Children can make predictions, record observations and use their results to answer simple scientific questions.
Ready-to-teach KS1 materials lesson packs
PlanBee's KS1 materials schemes of work contain everything needed to teach a complete sequence of curriculum-aligned lessons.
Each scheme includes:
- detailed lesson plans with clear learning objectives
- ready-to-teach lesson slides
- differentiated worksheets and activities
- practical Science investigations
- questions for discussion and assessment
- support for developing Working Scientifically skills
Choose the Everyday Materials Year 1 scheme to introduce common materials and their basic properties, or use the Exploring Everyday Materials Year 2 scheme to investigate suitability, uses and how materials can be changed.
Frequently asked questions about materials in KS1
What are materials in KS1?
Materials are the substances from which objects are made. Common materials taught in KS1 include wood, plastic, glass, metal, water, rock, paper, fabric and rubber. Children learn to name these materials and describe their physical properties.
What are the main properties of materials in KS1?
Common materials properties in KS1 include hard, soft, rough, smooth, shiny, dull, strong, weak, flexible, rigid, waterproof, absorbent, transparent and opaque. Children use this vocabulary to compare materials and explain why they are suitable for particular purposes.
What is the difference between Year 1 and Year 2 materials?
In Year 1, children identify everyday materials, distinguish between objects and materials, and describe simple physical properties. In Year 2, they compare the suitability of materials for different purposes and investigate how solid objects can be changed by bending, twisting, stretching and squashing.
What materials investigations can KS1 children carry out?
Suitable investigations include testing waterproof materials, comparing absorbent materials, sorting objects, identifying transparent and opaque materials, exploring flexible and rigid materials, and choosing the best material for a particular purpose.
How can I teach waterproof materials in KS1?
Give children a selection of materials and ask them to predict which will prevent water from passing through. They can carry out a simple test, record their observations and use the results to recommend a suitable material for an umbrella, raincoat or shelter.
Are PlanBee's KS1 materials lessons aligned with the National Curriculum?
Yes. PlanBee's Year 1 and Year 2 materials schemes have been designed to support the English National Curriculum for Science. They cover the relevant subject knowledge while providing regular opportunities for practical enquiry and Working Scientifically.
