Measuring Length with Non-Standard Units
Using everyday objects (e.g., paper clips, blocks) to measure the length of items.
Key Questions
- Explain why using paper clips is a fair way to measure length.
- Predict what would happen if we used different sized hands to measure the same table.
- Design a way to measure the length of the classroom using only your feet.
National Curriculum Attainment Targets
About This Topic
Physical properties involve describing how materials look and feel. Year 1 pupils learn to use scientific vocabulary such as hard, soft, stretchy, stiff, shiny, dull, rough, smooth, bendy, waterproof, and absorbent. This aligns with the National Curriculum target of describing the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials.
This topic is highly experimental. Students learn that the properties of a material determine its use, for example, why we use glass for windows (it is transparent) but not for footballs (it is brittle). Students grasp this concept faster through structured discussion and peer explanation during 'fair test' experiments.
Active Learning Ideas
Simulation Game: The Teddy's Umbrella
Students test different materials (paper, fabric, plastic, foil) by placing them over a 'dry' teddy and spraying water. They observe which material keeps the teddy dry and discuss the property of 'waterproof'.
Think-Pair-Share: The Silly Object Challenge
Show pictures of 'silly' objects, like a chocolate teapot or a glass hammer. Pairs discuss why the material's properties make the object useless and suggest a better material.
Stations Rotation: Property Testers
Set up stations for 'The Bendy Test', 'The Scratch Test', and 'The Shine Test'. Students move through with different materials, recording which ones pass each test on a simple chart.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Common MisconceptionStudents often think 'hard' and 'strong' mean the same thing.
What to Teach Instead
Show that a biscuit is hard but not strong (it breaks easily), while a piece of string is not hard but is very strong. Hands-on 'breaking' tests help clarify these different properties.
Common MisconceptionChildren may believe that all plastics are 'bendy'.
What to Teach Instead
Provide a variety of plastics, from a flexible carrier bag to a rigid plastic ruler. This helps them see that one material type can have different properties.
Suggested Methodologies
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key property words for Year 1?
How do I teach the difference between 'absorbent' and 'waterproof'?
Is it safe to test 'transparency' with glass in Year 1?
What are the best hands-on strategies for teaching physical properties?
Planning templates for Mathematics
5E Model
The 5E Model structures lessons through five phases (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate), guiding students from curiosity to deep understanding through inquiry-based learning.
unit plannerMath Unit
Plan a multi-week math unit with conceptual coherence: from building number sense and procedural fluency to applying skills in context and developing mathematical reasoning across a connected sequence of lessons.
rubricMath Rubric
Build a math rubric that assesses problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, and communication alongside procedural accuracy, giving students feedback on how they think, not just whether they got the right answer.
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Understanding how much a container can hold and comparing different volumes of liquid using descriptive language.
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