Grade 3 Topic C: Testing Materials and Designs

Amundson

Kaylie

Lesson Plan
Grade 3 Science: Topic C Testing Materials and Design
Duration of Lesson: 33+ Min.
Nov 24th, 2015
General
Learning
Outcomes

Procedure
Students will evaluate the suitability of different
materials and designs for their use in a building
task.

(Program of Study)

Specific
Learning
Outcomes
(Program of Study)

Learning
Objectives

Materials/Equi
pment/Set Up

1. Describe distinctive properties of some

common solids, such as wood, paper, or
plastic, that make them suitable for use as
building materials.
2. Apply procedures to test the strength of
construction materials, in particular, different
stocks of papers, plastics or woods.
1. Students will test and compare 6 different
materials
2. Students will determine which materials
are transparent, flexible, strong or
waterproof
Smart board
Interactive Web Program:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/age
s/7_8/characteristics_materials_fs.shtml
21 Worksheets
Pencils
Introduction (2 minutes)

Students will be seated in their desks for this lesson.

Connection to Curriculum: Today

we are going to be
talking about different materials and what makes them the
best material for their job. We are going to be testing different
materials properties.
Assessment of Prior Knowledge: Can we list some
materials used in this classroom? What does properties mean?
Expectations for Learning and Behavior/Agenda: Before
students are released to work on assignment, note what is
expected from the students, as an agenda format on the
board (brainstorm ideas, rough draft, teacher review, modifications...) Remind
students that classroom behaviour and noise levels are to
remain under control. Students should be actively engaged
with their writing.

Grade 3 Topic C: Testing Materials and Designs

Amundson

Kaylie

Transition to Body: Handout worksheets. Assistants will

handout science folders. The worksheet must be put into
folders before the activity begins.

Grade 3 Topic C: Testing Materials and Designs

Amundson

Kaylie

Body (28 minutes)

Learning Activity #1: Predictions
A few pages from, What if Rain boots Were Made of Paper by
Kevin Beals and P. David Pearson will be uploaded to Smart board.
Summary: Whycantwemakecarsoutofstone?Materialsarethedifferent
kindsofstuffweusetomakethings.Whenwemakesomething,wehavetodecide
whatmaterialtouse.Thisbookshowswhatwouldhappenifwemadesilly
choices.Youllfindoutthatsomematerialsaregoodformakingsomethings,but
notsogoodformakingotherthings.
Read each page to the students, and allow them time to make
predictions based on the provided questions. (What if rain boots
were made of paper? A frying pan made out of rubber?)
Click onto the next slide.
Form a discussion about the importance of determining which
materials are best suited for different jobs.
Engineers must consider the materials and their properties before
they build anything.
The conversation and discussion will be used to formatively
assess, what the children already know, and can hopefully provide
a foundation for new learning.
Transition: Click the text on the last slide. The text is linked to an
interactive website that tests different properties of 6 different
materials.
Learning Activity #2: Corresponding Worksheet
The worksheet will be completed as students are testing materials
via the interactive website in learning activity #3. Before
beginning the online activity, walk through the worksheet with the
students.
Learning Activity #3: Characteristics of Materials
Interactive Website
After clicking the appropriate link, we should be transported to an
interactive website, where students will test 4 different properties
of 6 different materials (metal, plastic, rubber, paper, glass, and
fabric).
Discuss what it means to be waterproof, transparent, flexible and
strong.
Students who are sitting down, quiet and raising their hands will
be called upon to come up to the board and test one property of a
material. Each student should be able to come up at least once.
Students should be filling out the chart as each property and
material is tested.

Grade 3 Topic C: Testing Materials and Designs

Amundson

Kaylie

Closure (3 minutes)
Make sure students have completely filled out chart.
Review learned information:
Why is it important for engineers to understand the different
properties of materials? (Want to build structures with the most
suitable material)
Why cant rain boots be made from paper? What should they be
made from? Why?
Is Metal transparent? What does it mean to be transparent?

Grade 3 Topic C: Testing Materials and Designs

Amundson

Kaylie