Year 2 Science · AC9S2U03

Recognise that materials can be changed physically without changing their material composition and explore the effect of different actions on materials

recognise that materials can be changed physically without changing their material composition and explore the effect of different actions on materials including bending…

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Learning goalsSay it simply

A material can change shape or size without becoming a different material. Bending, twisting, stretching and breaking into smaller pieces are physical changes.

Learning sequence: Identify material → Apply action → Observe change → Decide what stayed the same

Success looks like

  • Identify material
  • Describe bending
  • Describe twisting and stretching
  • Describe breaking
  • Explain what stays the same
Key conceptTeach from the board

Change shape while keeping the same material

straight→ bend →bent→ twist →twisted

The object looks different, but it is still made from the same material.

Compare the effects of different actions

ActionEffectbendchanges directionstretchbecomes longerbreaksmaller pieces

Describe the action and the observable result.

Clean visual examplesOne-page board

Clean one-page examples

AC9S2U03 - Recognise that materials can be changed physically without changing their material composition and explore the effect of different actions on materials including bending, twisting, stretching and breaking into smaller pieces
Example 1

paper: bend clay: twist elastic: stretch

Example 2

paper → pieces clay → new shape foil → folded

Example 3

Action stations Safely bend paper, twist modelling clay and stretch an elastic material, then record each effect. paper: bend clay: twist elastic: stretch

Example 4

Before-and-after draw Draw an object before and after a physical change and label what changed. before → action → after

Curriculum examplesCurriculum examples

The content description and elaborations below show the curriculum ideas taught in this unit. Items marked as teaching context support lesson planning.

  • Content description: recognise that materials can be changed physically without changing their material composition and explore the effect of different actions on materials including bending, twisting, stretching and breaking into smaller pieces
  • E1: exploring how materials can be physically changed to suit a particular purpose, such as twisting strands of cotton or wool together to make the thread stronger, or folding paper to make it fly
  • E2: manipulating materials such as paper or fabric, and determining ways they can be physically changed by scrunching, twisting or bending, or broken into smaller pieces by cutting, tearing or crushing
  • E3: crushing a stick of chalk into a powder, comparing the properties of the stick and the powder, and discussing whether it is still the same material
  • E4: exploring how First Nations Australians make physical changes to natural materials to produce objects such as bowls, baskets and various fibre crafts (teaching context)
  • E5: creating an ‘odd one out’ game by providing samples of the same material that has been physically changed in different ways, and one sample of a different material, and challenging other students to identify the odd one out
Questions and answersWith answers

Key idea: A material can change shape or size without becoming a different material. Bending, twisting, stretching and breaking into smaller pieces are physical changes.

Remember

  • Identify material
  • Describe bending
  • Describe twisting and stretching
  • Describe breaking
  • Explain what stays the same

Quick questions

  • Is folded paper still paper?
  • What can stretching change?
  • Give an example of breaking into smaller pieces.
  • What must be checked before changing a material?

If an answer is uncertain, return to the model and explain what each part represents before calculating or drawing a conclusion.

Practice and reviewReady for practice
  • Shape change means new material — A bent paper strip is still paper.
  • Action and effect mixed — Name the action first, then describe the result.
  • Unsafe breaking or stretching — Only use teacher-approved materials and procedures.

Read the topic guide and use the teacher slide for instruction. Students can then use the worksheet for written work, open Practice for supported feedback, or take the Test when they are ready.

Curriculum alignmentStart here

A material can change shape or size without becoming a different material. Bending, twisting, stretching and breaking into smaller pieces are physical changes.

Learning sequence: Identify material → Apply action → Observe change → Decide what stayed the same

Success looks like

  • Identify material
  • Describe bending
  • Describe twisting and stretching
  • Describe breaking
  • Explain what stays the same
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