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Tidy and Sort

  • Age range: 5-7 years
  • Science topic: Materials
  • Type of enquiry: Problem solving

This resource provides an opportunity for children to investigate a variety of ‘mixtures’ and the means by which they are best separated. The activities are put in context using a storybook, in which two sisters are presented with tubs of mixed objects to sort out. One of the sisters always wants to find the easiest way to sort the objects, and the other sister begins to use the same approach.

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Marbles and Lego

Science topic: Materials
Type of enquiry: Problem solving
Keywords: working scientifically, materials, KS1, separating materials, properties of materials, identifying and classifying, everyday material, glass, plastic

Sorting marbles and bricks by rolling the marbles away from the Lego.


Paper clips and stamps

Science topic: Materials
Type of enquiry: Problem solving
Keywords: working scientifically, materials, KS1, separating materials, properties of materials, magnetism, everyday materials, metal, paper, magnet

Collecting paper-clips with a magnet from a tub which also contains stamps.


Rice and sand

Science topic: Materials
Type of enquiry: Problem solving
Keywords: working scientifically, materials, KS1, separating materials, properties of materials, sieving, sand, everyday materials

Sieving rice from a mixture of rice and sand.


Cutlery from ice

Science topic: Materials
Type of enquiry: Problem solving
Keywords: working scientifically, materials, KS1, separating materials, properties of materials, melting, everyday materials, water, ice, metal, solid, liquids

Melting ice to remove plastic cutlery trapped inside.


Muddy water

Science topic: Materials
Type of enquiry: Problem solving
Keywords: working scientifically, materials, KS1, separating materials, properties of materials, filtration, everyday materials, rocks, soil, sieving, solids, liquids, filters

Improving the clarity of ‘muddy’ water by filtration.


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