All lessons › Material matters › Lesson 5
Australian primary science · Years 3–4 · Lesson 5 of 6
Give it another life
Inquiry question: What can happen to a material after we have finished with it?
Check practical materials
Research using sources
What students learn
Properties of materials influence how they can be re-used and recycled.
Success criteria
- I can find information in a supplied source.
- I can explain how a property helps a material be re-used or recycled.
- I can sort materials for recycling using a property, such as magnetism.
Preparation and materials
Before this lesson: Students can describe several material properties (lessons 1–4).
- Bar or button magnets (fridge magnets may be too weak) — 13
- Clean, empty containers: steel food can (check edges), aluminium drink can, plastic bottle, glass jar (or skip glass), paper — 1 set per pair
- Printed fact sheet (in the app) — 13
Teacher setup
- Check cans have no sharp edges.
- Print the fact sheet or display it.
Safety and adaptations
- Check can rims are smooth; tape any rough edges.
- Wash hands after handling used containers.
Review your school policies and curriculum requirements before teaching.
How to investigate
The lesson sequence should leave pupils with evidence to interpret, not only an activity to finish.
- Test each container with a magnet. Record attracted or not.
- Read the supplied fact sheet with your partner.
- Find one property that helps each material be recycled.
- Suggest a re-use for one object, explaining which property makes it suitable.
Teacher modelling prompt
Read the first fact sheet paragraph aloud. Model highlighting: “The sheet says steel is attracted to magnets. That is a property. So a magnet could pull steel cans out of a mixed pile.” Then check the fact by testing a steel can with a magnet.
Record and explain evidence
Recording question: How do properties help us re-use and recycle materials?
| Material | Attracted to a magnet? | Property that helps it be recycled or re-used |
|---|---|---|
| ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
Example recording headings; record actual observations, including inconclusive results.
Discussion prompt
Which claim matches our evidence?
Check understanding
What should pupils know? Name one property that helps a material be recycled, and explain how.
Explain with evidence: The fact sheet says steel is attracted to magnets. What evidence from today supports this?
Apply the idea: Suggest a re-use for an old cotton T-shirt. Which property makes it suitable?
Teacher answer guidance and saved classroom work are available through the main lesson experience where supported.