Content Focus: Materials

Key Content Ideas (K-2)
• Materials can be classified based on their observable properties.
• Materials can have specific uses, based on their properties.
• Objects can be qualitatively described.

This sub-area focuses on materials’ descriptions based on their properties. According to their properties, different materials can be related to specific purposes; for example, to explain the uses of a material based on evidence or design a solution.

This sub-area is typically explored in an engineering context in grades K-2. Tests of different materials, or of objects or tools made of these materials, are conducted to produce data. The collected evidence is generally qualitative (e.g., relative hardness). The data can be analyzed to determine the relationships between certain properties of materials and their suitability for their intended uses. The data can also be used as evidence to support or refute claims about the suitability of a particular material relative to other materials for its intended purpose (e.g. a rock is harder than a piece of wood, so the rock would be more suitable for breaking a nut.). The properties of some materials may be changed when heated or cooled, which may affects it suitability for use.