Instructions
Read through each section and complete the activities. Have fun learning how we use natural things from our world to make the objects we use every day!
Activity 1: Fill in the Blanks
We use many items every day that are man-made. This means people made them! To create these items, we often start with natural resources, which are things found in nature. Complete the sentences below using the words from the word bank to learn more.
- Sand
- Metal Ores
- Man-Made
- Trees
- Natural
1. Things found in nature, like water, rocks, and plants, are called _______________ resources.
2. Paper and wooden furniture both come from _______________.
3. To make glass, we need to melt _______________ at a very high temperature.
4. Steel objects, like forks and nails, are created from special rocks called _______________ that are dug from the ground.
5. Plastic is a special _______________ material, meaning it doesn't grow in nature and has to be created by people using science.
Activity 2: Material Match-Up
Draw a line to connect the final object on the left with the main natural material it comes from on the right.
| Final Object | Natural Material |
| 1. A steel spoon | A. Trees |
| 2. A paper notebook | B. Sand |
| 3. A glass window | C. Iron Ore (a type of metal rock) |
| 4. A wooden chair | D. Trees |
Activity 3: Sort the Objects!
Look at the list of objects below. Decide which main material each object is made from and write its name in the correct column in the table. Some objects might have small parts made of other things, but choose the biggest, most important material!
| Wood | Paper | Plastic | Steel | Glass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Activity 4: Super-Material Object
Many objects are made from more than one material! Think of an item that is made from at least TWO different materials we learned about (Wood, Paper, Plastic, Steel, Glass). Draw the object in the box below and use lines and labels to show which part is made of which material.
(Example: A pair of scissors has steel blades and plastic handles.)
Draw your object here!
ANSWER KEY
Activity 1: Fill in the Blanks
- Natural
- Trees
- Sand
- Metal Ores
- Man-Made
Activity 2: Material Match-Up
- A steel spoon matches with C. Iron Ore
- A paper notebook matches with A. Trees
- A glass window matches with B. Sand
- A wooden chair matches with D. Trees
Activity 3: Sort the Objects!
| Wood | Paper | Plastic | Steel | Glass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wooden Chair | Book | Water Bottle | Fork | Jar |
| Skateboard Deck | Cardboard Box | Lego Brick | Nail | Window |
Activity 4: Super-Material Object
Answers will vary. The student should draw an object and correctly label at least two parts made from different materials. Examples could include:
- A framed picture: Wood/Plastic (frame), Glass (front), Paper (picture).
- A pencil: Wood (body), Steel (ferrule - the metal part holding the eraser).
- A car: Steel (body), Glass (windows), Plastic (dashboard).
- A table with a glass top: Wood (legs), Glass (top).