This unit of work enables children to gain an in-depth understanding of materials and their properties. Attention is given to mixtures and processes for separating one substance from another, reversible changes and latterly, comparing the suitability of materials for scientific tasks. The inclusion of Professor Particle – Scientific Chef, and an array of fun and engaging activities provides a stimulating hook throughout.
Lessons are approximately 75 minutes long and should be taught in order. It is recommended that this is the first unit taught in Year 5, because it lends itself to the weather appropriately, and recaps comparative investigations, building on prior learning.
Disciplinary knowledge is embedded throughout the unit alongside the most appropriate substantive knowledge.
Teach the Year 5 science topic Properties and Changes of Materials with confidence using our fully resourced unit, part of the Scintillating Science programme. This unit is designed to help pupils explore and understand the properties of materials through practical activities, scientific enquiry, and meaningful discussion.
Aligned with the National Curriculum, these lessons encourage pupils to compare and group materials based on key properties such as hardness, solubility, transparency, conductivity, and magnetism. Children will also investigate reversible and irreversible changes, dissolving, filtering, and separating mixtures – all through hands-on exploration and engaging resources.
Our clear, structured lessons help pupils develop their working scientifically skills while deepening their understanding of materials and their uses. From testing solubility to observing chemical changes, children are encouraged to make predictions, record observations, and explain their findings using scientific vocabulary.
This unit fully covers the Year 5 National Curriculum objectives for Properties and Changes of Materials. Lessons are carefully sequenced to build on prior knowledge and promote progression throughout the unit.
Each lesson includes three levels of differentiation using our three-star system, making it easy to meet the needs of your class. Resources are designed to be visual, practical and engaging, helping pupils make sense of challenging concepts through real-life examples and enquiry-based tasks.
This is the first unit in our Year 5 Science Scheme of Work. More units will be released throughout the year, covering all required topics including Forces, Earth and Space, Living Things and Their Habitats, and Animals Including Humans.
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