Virginia SOL 1.3.a

Science1st GradeMatter

The Standard

objects are made of one or more materials with different physical properties and can be used for a variety of purposes

Virginia Standards of Learning for Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students examine familiar objects and identify the materials in each one. They describe properties they can observe or test, such as hard, soft, bendy, smooth, or absorbent. They explain why a material suits an object's use.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can examine a familiar object and name its materials, such as the metal and plastic in scissors. The student describes observable properties and links each property to a useful job.
Common Misconceptions: Students may name the object instead of the material, saying spoon rather than metal. They may assume every object uses only one material. They may choose by color or preference instead of matching a property to the job.
How to Assess It: Give each student a picture of scissors. Ask them to name two materials, describe one property of each, and explain how each helps the scissors work.

Lesson moves

Sort a wooden spoon, plastic lid, metal key, cloth scrap, and rubber band by material, then describe one property of each.
Discuss which would make the best rain hat, paper, cotton cloth, or a plastic sheet, and support the choice with a property.
Play a card match game pairing material cards with property and use cards, such as glass, clear, and window.
Inspect a lunchbox, name its materials, and explain how each material helps the lunchbox do its job.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 1.3.a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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