The £2 Tuition Hub

Chemistry: Properties and Changes of Materials

This can be used as a stand alone block of learning, but it does buildon previous learning about states of matter (Block 2) and materials, extending children’s understanding by focusing on how materials behave and how we use them. It prepares them for learning on electricity and light, and helps build scientific enquiry skills including fair testing, using variables, and recording findings.

Welcome to the wonderful world of materials! From solving real-life science mysteries to watching amazing reactions unfold before your eyes, this block is packed with investigations, challenges, and hands-on experiments.

Each week, young scientists will test, sort, melt, mix, dissolve, separate, and explode (safely!) as they learn what makes materials so special – and why we use them for everything from phone wires to raincoats. Whether they’re designing an insulated cup, separating mystery mixtures, or making plastic from milk, this block will spark curiosity and build confidence.

Expect fizz, fun, and facts – perfect for the next generation of engineers, designers, and inventors!

Course Objectives:

By the end of this block, children will be able to:

Classify materials based on properties like transparency, hardness, magnetism, thermal and electrical conductivity

Test and compare materials using fair tests

Explain how dissolving works and how to separate mixtures

Use methods like sieving, filtering, and evaporation to separate materials

Understand reversible and irreversible changes and identify real-world examples

Record and explain findings using scientific diagrams and vocabulary

Specialist
Resources Needed:

I'll provide a detailed list of equipment prior to the block starting but here is a 'head's-up' to get you started.

General:

Worksheets printed from the dashboard
Pencil, ruler, clipboard or hard surface for notes
Beakers, cups, spoons

🟢 Lesson 1 (Properties of Materials)

Torch or light source
Magnet
Mystery materials: metal, plastic, paper, rock, fabric

🟡 Lesson 2 (Thermal Conductivity) Cups

Foil, fabric, cling film, bubble wrap, tissue, cardboard
Warm water (max 50°C)
Thermometer or temperature app
Stopwatch

🔵 Lesson 3 (Electricity & Solubility)

Battery, wires, bulb (basic circuit kit)
Testing items: spoon, coin, plastic, foil
Sugar, salt, flour, baking soda, sand
Warm water

🟠 Lesson 4 (Separating Mixtures)

Sieve, filter paper (coffee filter), magnets
Sugar, salt, iron filings, sand, cornflour, pasta
Funnels and clear containers

🔴 Lesson 5 (Reversible/Irreversible Reactions)

Milk, vinegar
Bicarbonate of soda
Cola and soft mints (e.g. Mentos)
Paper towels, beakers, safety goggles (if available, swimming goggles work a treat too)

If you definitely do not require your live space for this course, please opt to cancel your registration through the link in your Zoom confirmation email.
You can also use the cancellation link to
change your name
for the live lessons of this class.
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If you have more than one child accessing the live class, please complete this form to request multiple registrations:
https://forms.gle/o4vkDBzFVe19zXR57
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For recordings and resources, please sign in to the website
https://the2poundtuitionhub.com
and access your dashboard.