Science and Technology

Grade 1: Matter and Materials: Characteristics of Objects and Properties of Materials	Achievement Level
Overall Expectations	1	2	3	4
•distinguish between objects and materials (e.g., scissors are objects and they can be made of metal and/or plastic), and identify and describe the properties of some materials (e.g., flexibility of plastic, hardness of wood);
•investigate the properties of materials and make appropriate use of materials when designing and making objects;
•describe the function of specific materials in manufactured objects that they and others use in daily life.
Specific Expectations
Understanding Basic Concepts
•identify each of the senses and demonstrate understanding of how they help us recognize and use a variety of materials (e.g., our sense of sight enables us to determine whether a banana is ripe; our sense of hearing tells us whether the washing machine is working properly);
•describe various materials using information gathered by using their senses (e.g., a piece of steel is hard, shiny, and cold, and makes a ringing noise when tapped; a ceramic bowl is hard and rough-textured, and makes a dull sound when tapped);
•identify properties of materials that are important to the purpose and function of the objects that are made from them (e.g., the flexibility of plastic makes plastic wrap useful for covering food in order to keep it fresh);
•describe, using their observations, ways in which materials can be changed to alter their appearance, smell, and texture (e.g., cooking changes the smell and texture of ingredients on a pizza; painting rough wood makes it smoother).
Developing Skills of Inquiry, Design, and Communication
•sort objects (e.g., students’ coats, lunch bags, cooking utensils) and describe the different materials from which those objects are made;
•demonstrate ways in which various materials can be manipulated to produce different sounds (e.g., produce sounds by tapping the sides of glasses that contain different amounts of water) and describe their findings;
•design a usable product that is aesthetically pleasing (e.g., a tote bag, cookie, musical instrument) and construct it by combining and modifying materials that they have selected themselves;
•ask questions about and identify needs and problems related to objects and materials, and explore possible answers and solutions (e.g., test materials to determine which ones insulate more efficiently; test different fabrics to determine which are waterproof);
•plan investigations to answer some of these questions or solve some of these problems;
•use appropriate vocabulary in describing their investigations, explorations, and observations (e.g., use words such as soft, smooth, rough, and sticky when describing textures);
•record relevant observations, findings, and measurements, using written language, drawings, charts, and concrete materials (e.g., make a display board and record the results of their testing of chalk on different materials);
•communicate the procedures and results of investigations for specific purposes, using demonstrations, drawings, and oral and written descriptions (e.g., display examples of materials tested and indicate which ones were best for writing on).
Relating Science and Technology to the World Outside the School
•describe how properties of materials (e.g., sounds, textures, lustre) help us learn about natural and human-made objects;
•identify materials that can be used to join and fasten other materials (e.g., tape for paper; thread for buttons);
•demonstrate ways of reusing materials and objects in daily activities (e.g., reuse of plastic containers for storing food);
•recognize that objects made of certain materials can be recycled (e.g., pop cans, plastic jugs, newspapers);
•identify, through observation, the same material in different objects (e.g., cotton in shirts and towels; glass in magnifying glasses and windows; wood in pencils and furniture);
•compare objects constructed for similar purposes (e.g., different types of chairs) and identify the similarities and differences between their corresponding parts and the materials from which they are made (e.g., metal, wood);
•identify materials commonly used in manufactured objects as well as the source of those materials (e.g., wood from trees).
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 Expectations: Copyright The Queen's Printer for Ontario, 1998.  Format: Copyright B.Phillips, 1998.