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Basic 1 · Science · Materials

Materials Around Us

In this topic you will learn what things are made of. These are called materials.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Explain what a material is
  • Name common materials
  • Say what material some objects are made of

What you already know

  • Things made by people

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Diversity of matter
Sub-strand
Materials
Indicator
B1.1.2.1.1 – Identify and name a variety of everyday materials in their immediate environment

Introduction

A chair can be made of wood. A spoon can be made of metal. A bottle can be made of plastic. Wood, metal and plastic are materials.

1. What is a Material?

Material: What a thing is made of.

Common materials

  • wood
  • metal
  • plastic
  • glass
  • cloth
  • paper

2. What is it Made of?

Objects and their materials
ObjectMaterial
chairwood
spoonmetal
bottleplastic
windowglass
dresscloth
bookpaper
A wooden chair, metal spoon, plastic bottle, glass window, cloth dress and paper book
Figure 1: Objects and their materials Draw three objects and write their material.Illustration: Sirbus

Tip: Some things are made of more than one material. A pencil has wood and lead.

New words

material
What a thing is made of.
metal
A hard, shiny material, like iron.
plastic
A light material used to make bottles and buckets.
object
A thing you can see and touch.

Summary

  • A material is what a thing is made of.
  • Wood, metal, plastic, glass, cloth and paper are materials.
  • A spoon is made of metal. A bottle is made of plastic.

Class activity: Material Hunt

  1. Look at the wood offcut, the metal spoon and the plastic bottle.
  2. Touch each one and say its material.
  3. Find three more objects in the classroom and name their materials.

You need: Wood offcut, Metal spoon, Clear plastic bottle

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. A spoon is usually made of…

    • A. Paper
    • B. Metal
    • C. Cloth
    • D. Glass
    Show answer
    Answer: MetalMost spoons are metal.

  2. 2. Which material is a book made of?

    • A. Paper
    • B. Glass
    • C. Metal
    • D. Plastic
    Show answer
    Answer: PaperBooks are made of paper.

  3. 3. A window can be made of glass.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueGlass lets light in.

  4. 4. A dress is made of wood.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseA dress is made of cloth.

  5. 5. What a thing is made of is called its ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: materialThat is the meaning of material.

  6. 6. Name the material of a chair and of a bucket.

    Show answer
    Answer: Chair: wood (or metal or plastic). Bucket: plastic (or metal).Objects can be made of different materials.

Homework

  1. Find three things at home. Write what material each is made of.