Objective
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand the difference between soft and hard materials in the context of environmental science.
Materials and Prep
- Various objects made of different materials (e.g., cotton ball, plastic bottle, wooden block, metal spoon)
- A soft surface (e.g., carpet, foam mat)
- A hard surface (e.g., table, floor)
No prior knowledge or preparation is required for this lesson.
Activities
- Begin by gathering the various objects made of different materials.
- Ask the student to touch and feel each object, and observe whether it feels soft or hard.
- Place a soft surface (e.g., carpet) on the floor and ask the student to walk on it. Discuss how it feels under their feet.
- Remove the soft surface and have the student walk on the hard surface (e.g., floor). Compare the feeling to the previous activity.
- Take turns with the student to touch different objects and guess whether they are soft or hard. Discuss the reasons behind their guesses.
First Grade Talking Points
- "Soft materials are things that feel squishy or not hard when we touch them."
- "Some examples of soft materials are cotton balls, sponge, or a stuffed animal."
- "Hard materials are things that feel solid and not squishy when we touch them."
- "Some examples of hard materials are plastic bottles, wooden blocks, or metal spoons."
- "We can also feel the difference between soft and hard surfaces when we walk on them."
- "Carpet or foam mats are soft surfaces that feel cushiony under our feet."
- "Floors or tables are hard surfaces that feel solid when we walk on them."
- "By exploring different objects and surfaces, we can learn about the properties of materials."