What’s it made of
Primary Connections: / Early Stage 1Essential Learnings by the end of: / Year 3
“All around us are things made from interesting materials. Who would once have imagined things like CDs, sticky notes or floppy silicone ovenware? Materials that we now take for granted are the products of imagination and exploratory science. What new materials will be part of the world of the future and how might existing materials be used in new ways?What might materials allow us to make and do?
While engaged in investigations in the What’s it made of? unit, students develop skills of observing, describing, comparing and communicating. The unit provides opportunities for students to explore, through hands-on activities, what things are made of in the school environment and the properties of the materials used in their manufacture.” (What’s it made of? AAS)
Primary Connections units are intended to be taught as whole units. The cross-referencing indicates how specific lessons relate to Ways of Working, within a whole unit.
In each cross-referencing document, there are shaded areas showing suggested teaching ideas that are not mentioned in the current Primary Connections resources. These ideas have been provided by Primary Connections personnel who are involved in the development of the cross-referencing document and the ideas are suggestions only, with teachers being encouraged to develop further ideas related to the Essential Learnings.
Ways of working
Lesson / Essential Learnings Statement / Notes
/ Lesson 1 Mind on maps
Lesson 2 Object Observers
Lesson 3 The Name game
Lesson 4 Making sense of materials
Lesson 6 Location, Location / Pose questions and make predictions / Lesson 1, #3
#5
/ Lesson 4 Making sense of materials
Lesson 5 Waterproof Wonders / Plan activities and simple investigations, and identify elements of a fair test
/ Lesson 3 The Name Game
Lesson 4 Making sense of materials
Lesson 5 Waterproof Wonders / Identify and collect data, information and evidence
/ Lesson 4 Making sense of materials
Lesson 5 Waterproof Wonders / Make judgments about the usefulness of the data, information and evidence
Whole unit / Use identified tools, technologies and materials
/ Lesson 4 Making sense of materials
Lesson 5 Waterproof Wonders / Draw conclusions and give explanations, using data, information and evidence /
/ Lesson 3 The name game
Lesson 4 Making sense of materials
Lesson 5 Waterproof wonders / Communicate scientific ideas, data, information and evidence, using terminology, illustrations or representations
/ Lesson 3 The Name Game
Lesson 4 Making sense of materials
Lesson 5 Waterproof wonders / Follow guidelines to apply safe working practices / Look for safety icon
Lesson 2 Using things (construction)
/ Lesson 5 Waterproof wonders / Reflect on and identify other points of view relating to science in everyday situations / Other points of view (peers) why they chose particular materials
/ Lesson 1 Mind on maps
Lesson 5 Waterproof wonders
Lesson 6 Location location / Reflect on learning to identify new understandings / Lesson 1 # 7–part of discussion
Knowledge and Understanding-
Science as a Human Endeavour- Science is a part of everyday activities and experiences
Lesson/Teaching idea / Essentials Learning StatementUse of appropriate materials for specific purposes / Science has applications in daily life, including at home, at school, at work and in leisure time.
Knowledge of materials and their properties helps us to select what to use for specified tasks / Science can impact on people and their environments
Conserving natural materials for future use and sustainability of materials / Stewardship of the environment involves conserving natural resources
Materials used for making traditional tools and artefacts / Australian Indigenous knowledge of natural phenomena has developed over time as a result of people observing, investigating and testing in everyday life
Knowledge and Understanding-
Earth and Beyond- Changes in the observable environment influence life.
Earth and space experience recurring patterns and natural cycles of events, including seasons, weather and moon phases, and these can affect living thingsMaterials of the world can be used in various ways.
Knowledge and Understanding-
Energy and change- Energy can be used for different purposes
Forms of energy, including electricity, light, heat, movement and sound, have different applications.Pushes and pulls affect the shape and motion of objects.
Knowledge and Understanding-
Life and Living-Needs, features and functions of living things are related and change over time
Animals, plants and non-living things have different features/characteristics.Offspring have similar characteristics to their parents.
Change occurs during the life cycle of living things.
Living things depend on the environment and each other.
Knowledge and Understanding-
Natural and Processed Materials- Materials have different properties and undergo different changes
Whole unit / Materials are categorised according to their observable propertiesProperties of familiar materials may be changed / Lesson 3 The Name Game- possible link look at Plastic objects- different forms of plastic bottle, cup (hard), spoon, bag, cling wrap (flexible, soft- can be scrunched up)
Lesson 4 The properties of an object can include the size, shape and colour. Properties of materials include : density, texture, flexibility, hardness, reflectivity, elasticity, strength, compressibility, transparency, opacity
Links to Essential Learnings from other Key Learning Areas.
Lesson/teaching idea / Key Learning Area / Essential Learning StatementLesson 4/ session 2 / Technology / Identify the purpose for design ideas
Lesson 4/ session 2 / Technology / Generate simple ideas for designs
Lesson 4/ session 2 / Technology / Select resources, simple techniques and tools to make products
Lesson 4/ session 2 / Technology / Plan and sequence main steps in production procedures
Lesson 4/ session 2 / Technology / Make products by following production procedures to manipulate and process resources
Lesson 4/ session 2 / Technology / Follow guidelines to apply safe practices
Lesson 4/ session 2
Lesson 5 / Technology / Evaluate processes and products by identifying what worked well, what did not, and ways to improve
Lesson 3
Lesson 4 / Technology / Resources have characteristics that can be matched to design requirements
Lesson 1
Lesson 5
Extension- create labelled map of sculpture garden / Maths / Obvious features in everyday environments can be represented and locate don simple maps and plans
Lesson 1
Lesson 5
Extension- create labelled map of sculpture garden / SOSE / Maps have symbols to represent places and identify the relative position of features including landmarks and locations
1
Document shows actual links between Primary Connections and Essential Learnings