Materials that Change Shape
Rationale
Through a deeper understanding of chemistry, we are better able to understand why certain materials have particular properties and how these materials are used.
Investigation Into
- How materials change through different actions.
- How to follow instructions to change materials.
- Predicting how materials change.
Essential Questions
- How do materials change and how can we describe these actions?
- How can we follow instructions to change materials?
- What predictions can we make about how materials will change?
Future Action
Your students will develop a curiosity about how materials change. They will be able to name physical changes such as bending, stretching, and twisting. Your students will be able to identify how everyday materials can change and appreciate that we can change the shape of materials for different purposes.

Pretesting and Familiarisation
Sharing What I Know About Chemistry
Your students will share what they know about the ways that everyday materials can be changed.
Your students will share what they know about the ways that everyday materials can be changed.
Chemistry Glossary
Your students are going to become familiar with words that they will use during this learning sequence.
Your students are going to become familiar with words that they will use during this learning sequence.
Learning Opportunities
Physical Changes: Bend It
Your students will investigate the action of bending as they create a piece of art using pipe cleaners.
Your students will investigate the action of bending as they create a piece of art using pipe cleaners.
Physical Changes: Stretch It
Your students will learn about physically changing materials by stretching lolly snakes to measure their elasticity.
Your students will learn about physically changing materials by stretching lolly snakes to measure their elasticity.
Physical Changes: Twist It
Your students will learn about physically changing materials by twisting paper to create a piece of artwork.
Your students will learn about physically changing materials by twisting paper to create a piece of artwork.
Malleable Moulding
Your students will use a range of actions to investigate how the shape of playdough can be changed.
Your students will use a range of actions to investigate how the shape of playdough can be changed.
Object Scavenger Hunt
Your students will investigate the ways that everyday objects can change shape as they complete a scavenger hunt.
Your students will investigate the ways that everyday objects can change shape as they complete a scavenger hunt.
Demonstration of Understanding
Sharing What I Learnt About Chemistry
Your students will share what they have learnt during this learning sequence by adding, removing or changing what they wrote or drew on their 'What I Know' sheet.
Your students will share what they have learnt during this learning sequence by adding, removing or changing what they wrote or drew on their 'What I Know' sheet.