Plastics resources

Students answer short questions to show their knowledge of heat transfer through metal and plastic spoons.

Students look closely at a photograph taken on the beach and record their observations. They think and write about the consequences of the things they see.

Students combine their observations with some information provided to complete a story about what might have happened in the photograph.

Students explain a plastic recycling symbol. This resource assesses an aspect of knowledge helpful for making decisions about recycling.

Task: Students fill in a chart to select the best material for making 6 objects, and give reasons for their answers. Assessment focus: properties of materials related to use.

Task: Create, use and identify ‘rules’ based on observable and/or measurable physical properties of common plastics. Assessment focus: classifying & identifying.

Students write down three features of plastic that makes it useful in the home.

Students interpret a table on the properties of plastics by answering a series of short questions.

Task: Describe and compare some physical properties of plastic objects and identify the properties scientists might use for classifying materials. Assessment focus: classifying using physical properties.

Select which materials are transparent, opaque, or translucent. Assessment focus: vocabulary of a material property.

Students explain why metal is used to make cutlery, and describe a disadvantage of plastic cutlery.

Answer questions about rubbish picked up on a beach, and suggest reasons why plastic is the most common rubbish.