PR-6171IRE Science A STEM Approach - 1st Class

Lesson 2
Materials
IT’S A STRETCH
Lesson Plan
Introduction:
1. Display page 103 on the whiteboard. Ask pupils to describe what each action is and what the
action is called. Write the name of the action underneath the pictures; i.e. twist, stretch, bend and
squash. This can be printed out and displayed in the classroom on a word wall so pupils can refer
to it in later lessons. Ask pupils to suggest examples of times they have used one of these actions.
Development:
2. Pupils familiarise themselves with playdough by playing a game of Shape It! using playdough and
the spinner from page 104. Divide the class into small groups and give each pupil in the group
three small balls of playdough each. The aim of the game is to create a picture using playdough
that has been changed by twisting, bending, squashing or stretching.
Explain the game instructions as follows:
• One person from your team spins the spinner and then shapes one piece of their dough using
the action they landed on. Another member of the team is responsible for timing ten seconds.
• Each person will have ten seconds. Listen for the timer or bell.
• Pass the spinner to the next pupil and repeat the steps until all pieces of playdough have had
their shape changed. Another member of the team is responsible for timing ten seconds.
• When all pupils have changed their three pieces of playdough, pupils work together to create a
picture with the changed shapes. Pupils will have three minutes to make a picture/image. At the
end of the activity, each group should take a digital photograph of their picture/image.
3. Pupils can conduct a quick gallery walk to view other groups’ pictures.
4. Divide the playdough so each person receives a piece for individual experimentation. Pupils also
receive one rubber band each. Pupils use the checklist on page 105 to complete the experiment
and record their observations.
Differentiation
• Some pupils will need additional support in understanding the task and recording the results -
support to be provided to ensure that all pupils are able to complete the experiment.
Reflection:
5. Using a class whiteboard or large sheet of paper, as a class construct a Venn diagram about their
observations in order to highlight the differences and similarities between how playdough and a
rubber band change shape. Reinforce that the rubber band is an object that can change shape
but it returns back to its original shape, while the playdough can change shape and stays in its new
shape. Pupils can write something along these lines in their conclusion if they haven’t already done
so. The Venn diagram can be added to the word wall area to begin to create a working wall.
Viewing sample
Consolidation:
Distribute photographs of the Shape It! activity and challenge pupils to label the different ways in
which the playdough has been changed - encourage pupils to use the scientific vocabulary from the
word wall.
102 Science:
A STEM APPROACH
1st
CLASS
978-1-912760-15-2 Prim-Ed Publishing – www.prim-ed.com