LKS2: Modern Britain
Theme 4: Dress & Dance
Session 7: Investigating different types of plastic
Science/Art
Range and Breadth: Sci: 1c Use a range of sources of information and data,
Session 8: Plan and carry out an investigation
Science
Range and Breadth: Sci: 1d Use first-hand and secondary data to carry out a
including ICT-based sources. Art: 5d Investigate art, craft and design in the locality
and in a variety of genres, styles and traditions.
range of scientific investigations, including complete investigations. 2b Recognise that
there are hazards in living things, materials and physical processes, and assess risks
and take action to reduce risks to themselves and others.
PoS
Science: Grouping and classifying materials [Main]
PoS
Science: Investigative skills
Objectives
Chn learn about different types of plastic and what they are used
for. Identify and sort plastic containers into diff types of plastic.
1a Compare everyday materials and objects on the basis of their
material properties, including hardness, strength, flexibility and
magnetic behaviour, and to relate these properties to everyday uses
of the materials.
Objectives
Chn suggest ideas for an investigation. They plan and carry out an
investigation and record their results.
2a Ask questions that can be investigated scientifically and decide
how to find answers. 2c Think about what might happen. 2d Make a
fair test or comparison by changing one factor.
PoS
Art: Knowledge and understanding
PoS
Science: Considering evidence and evaluating
Objectives
Look at the work of artists who use recycled materials and make a
sculpture as part of a small group, using the materials they have
collected. 4b Investigate materials and processes used in art, craft
and design and how these can be matched to ideas and intentions.
Objectives
Chn record results. 2j Use observations, measurements or other data
to draw conclusions. 2k Decide whether these conclusions agree with
any prediction made and/or whether they enable further predictions
to be made.
[Main]
Whole class teaching: In advance ask chn to bring in as many different
Whole class teaching: You will need 3 different plastic carrier bags, weights and
washed out plastic containers/packaging with the little recycling symbol as
possible.
Have a look at
a range of plastics and other materials for chn to investigate.
With the chns help write down some properties of plastics. Strong, flexible,
waterproof, etc. Then brainstorm possible ideas for investigations involving plastics.
This could be fairly loosely based around plastics, the main thing is the thinking about
the investigations e.g. Which socks/tights are the ‘stretchiest’? Which makes the
better parachute - paper or polythene? Which materials hold the most multilink cubes
when floated on water? Which is the strongest shopping bag?
Model planning an investigation as a class. Choose 3 different plastic shopping bags
and investigate which is the strongest by adding weights or tins until it breaks. Fill in
the investigation frame (session resource) together as far as the prediction.
http://www.wrap.org.uk/recycling_industry/information_by_material/plastics/types_of_plastic.html or
http://www.wasteonline.org.uk/resources/informationsheets/plastics.htm#_Types_of_plastic
Read simplified version of Benefits and Types of Plastic in session resources. Sit chn
in a circle and share out the plastic containers. Take turns to put the containers by
the correct label (cut up enlarged version of session resource in strips). Do the
containers match the labels?
Show the chn the images of sculptures made from recycled materials (session
resources). Can they recognise any of the parts used? Now they will make their own
sculptures using plastic ‘junk’. Careful of sharp edges with brittle plastics!
Easy/Medium/Hard
In pairs/groups of 3 or more (depending how much ‘junk’ you have), chn make creative
plastic sculptures from the materials brought in. They need to sit and look at their
materials first to see what it suggests to them. There needs to be plenty of
discussion and they should not start until the group is in agreement. Only then do they
start to tape/glue the plastic containers together.
Plenary Look at each other’s creations. Say what they like about them and why.
Easy/Medium
Medium/Hard
As a group investigate –Which is the
Chn plan and carry out an investigation in
strongest shopping bag? Finish filling in
pairs or small groups based on the ideas
the investigation sheet. Record their
they brainstormed. They think about how
results on a simple graph (session
they can record their results (graph,
resources).
table, diagram etc).
Plenary Review and discuss what they find out. Think especially about explaining
results.
© Hamilton Trust 2011. This activity may be adapted for use by a teacher in his/her own class. It may not be reproduced for any other purpose.
LKS2 – MBr – S7_8 – Dress & Dance