Ideas concerning the nature of materials are generally taught formally at Key Stage 2, but even then they are at the descriptive rather than the explanatory stage. Although the particulate (matter as particles) nature of matter does not appear until after Key Stage 2, children need to be prepared for this *revelation' at an earlier age to avoid any potential conflict of ideas. It is also, possibly, the area of science where the teacher's understanding is expected to be most in advance of the pupils.The key ideas to be developed here are that:
I. Materials can be described and defined in different ways.
2. Materials are made up of very small particles.
3. Molecular models can be used to describe and explain how arranging these particles in different, well-defined ways can make different materials.
Teaching Concepts
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All senses can be used to explore the physical properties of materials.
Knowledge about the properties, names and sources of materials are important factors in their classification.
Physical properties — such as states of matter may vary with temperature.
Different substances can be combined in mixtures. o Some materials are found naturally, while others are manufactured.
All materials are made of small particies called atoms.
Some materials are made of only one type of atom (elements), while others are made of different types (compounds).
Different materials, with different properties, can be made by combining atoms in different ways,
Particle models of materials can be used to explain their physical properties.