Planned learning intentions
To explore the properties of materials
To extend vocabulary, especially by grouping and naming
Resources
Plastic objects such as plates, lids, buttons, straws, spoons and food packaging ,metal objects such as spoons, dishes, paper clips, screws, coins and curtain rings ,wooden products such as lollipop sticks, twigs and wood shavings ,fabric offcuts; cork tiles; PVA glue; glue spreaders.
Step by step
* Introduce one material each week and invite the children to bring in items made from this material. Leave the items on a table throughout the week.
* At circle time, ask children to take turns to talk to the group about an item they have contributed, or to choose something from the table to discuss.
* At the end of the week help the children to create a collage with items made from the chosen material. Supply a cork tile as a base to stick the items on. Urge the children to talk about how the materials feel, look, smell and sound.
* Arrange the finished tiles on a display board, label them and attach the children's comments alongside.
Activities
* Encourage the children to make links between the materials displayed and their own experiences. For example, a nursery child commented, 'Mummy has a hole in her trousers because she caught it on some metal.'
* Make comparisons of the different properties of the materials. Do they feel rough or smooth, warm or cold?
Extension activities
* Explore magnets and compare which objects are attracted to them.
* Investigate how clothes are made, and try simple weaving and sewing.
* Compare the properties of natural materials with man-made materials.
Lynne Linsley is the owner/manager and Wendy Nicholson is the officer-in-charge/room deputy at Small World Nursery in Staindrop, County Durham. They spoke to Jean Evans.
