How a visit to Killhope can inspire

UNIT 3C: CHARACTERISTICS OF MATERIALS
Using Killhope: Killhope provides an excellent atmosphere in which to test the properties of real
materials, which can be found on our Washing Floor. The Mineral Room contain materials that can
be handled by the children, and different uses of minerals are on display in the Pennine Jewels
Exhibition. The properties of different materials can be tested on the Washing Floor.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES LEARNING OUTCOMES
• To review childrens’
knowledge of materials
and their properties.
• To identify a range of
common materials and
that the same material is
used to make different
objects.
• To recognise properties
such as hardness, strength
and flexibility and compare
material in terms of these
properties.
Introduction
• Present children with a collection
of everyday materials found on
site and ask them what they
know about the materials. Draw
out similarities and difference
between materials.
Finding useful materials
• Ask the children to do a survey
at Killhope of materials that have
been used for a particular
purpose, eg wood for clogs. Ask
the children to say how they
know or what helped them to
decide that a particular object is
made of a particular material.
Properties of materials
• Ask the children to describe
common materials on site so that
others can identify them.
• Identify similarities and
differences between
materials found on
site.
• Identify other objects
made of a particular
material, eg glass,
plastic, and name the
material.
• State one or two
characteristics of a
range of common
materials and make
comparisons between
materials.
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