contributed by Ms Joanna Giordmaina, Class 1.2
Over the last few weeks, during our year 1 science classes, we are speaking about the 5 senses. Last week, in particular, we focused on the sense of touch.
In preparation for this lesson, the boys were asked to bring different kinds of materials from home. This was an opportunity to involve the whole family in a discussion about different kinds of materials and textures.
During the science lesson, there was an interesting discussion about the properties of these materials and their use. It also involved some critical thinking. For example, we argued that the window pane of our classroom had to be made from a material which was transparent. Otherwise, the light would not enter our classroom. We imagined what it would have been like, if the window pane had been made of wood.
We also learnt from where we can get these materials, eg wood and paper from trees, silk from the silkworm and cotton from the cotton plant, etc. We looked at the materials the boys had brought from home, observed the properties of each material and asked questions about them: “Is it smooth or rough? Is it shiny? Is it transparent?”
Finally, in groups, the boys designed a collage with their materials. They tried to include different textures and properties, as well as different colours in their collage.
