Materials Teaching Resources
Explore the properties of materials and where they are found with your students this school year! Explore worksheets, hands-on activities, lesson plans and more teacher-created resources for teaching students about materials found in nature and made by humans.
The printable and digital resources in this collection are aligned with the Australian science curriculum, and each one has undergone a careful review by a member of the Teach Starter teacher team.
Is this your first year teaching about materials? Or perhaps you're simply looking for some fresh information and ways to teach this science topic? Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a materials definition to share with your students, plus explanations of the differences between matural and man-made materials!
What Are Materials? A Kid-Friendly Definition
Do you need a way to explain what materials are to your students? Here's a helpful definition from our teacher team that you can add to your lessons:
A material is a substance that is used to make an object. For example, a desk can be made from wood. Wood is the material.
Materials can come from nature, but they can also be man-made.
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Mixed-Up Materials Bingo Game
Practise identifying materials with an exciting Mixed-Up Materials Bingo Game.
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Material Properties Worksheets (4-5)
Explore the properties that make materials useful with our printable Material Properties Worksheets for upper years' students.
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Which Material is Best? Task Cards
Identify the materials needed to make things with our printable ‘Which Material is Best?’ task cards.
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Types of Materials Flashcards
Explore things made of wood, glass, plastic, metal and other materials with our printable Types of Materials Flashcards.
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Exploring Everyday Materials Posters
Recognise and identify objects made from different materials with a set of Everyday Materials Posters for early learners.
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Material Properties Scavenger Hunt Activity Sheets
Observe materials and their properties in the real world with a printable Material Properties Scavenger Hunt Activity pack for school and home.
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Changing Materials PowerPoint - Bend, Twist, & Stretch
Explore materials and how they can be changed by bending, twisting, stretching, tearing, and crushing with a Changing Materials PowerPoint.
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Properties of Materials PowerPoint
Explore the world of materials and the traits that make them useful with a Properties of Materials PowerPoint presentation.
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Observing Matter - Foundation Science Game
Practise observing the properties of matter with an engaging science game for foundation year students.
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What’s It Made Of? Comparing Materials Worksheets (F-1)
Observe and compare objects made of different materials with our What’s It Made Of? Comparing Materials Worksheets.
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Material Mistakes PowerPoint
Explore the importance of choosing the right materials based on their properties with an interactive Material Mistakes PowerPoint presentation.
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Materials Around Us - Draw and Colour Worksheets
Observe and identify the materials around us with a set of Material Observation Draw and Colour Worksheets.
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Properties of Materials - Graphing Worksheets
Explore materials and mathematics with engaging Properties of Materials Graphing Worksheets.
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Man-Made vs Natural Materials Gallery Walk Activity
Identify man-made and natural materials in the classroom with a Natural vs Processed Materials Gallery Walk.
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Alternatives to Single Use Plastics - Worksheet Pack
Explore ways to reduce plastic waste with a printable Alternatives to Single-Use Plastics Worksheet Pack.
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Material Sorting Worksheets (Year 4)
Explore materials made of metal, fibre, glass, and more with a printable set of Material Sorting Worksheets for Year 4.
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Pick the Best Property - Materials Game
Identify the properties that are most important in making things with an Interactive Properties of Materials Game for Year 4.
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Material World Classroom Display (F-2)
Kick off your Materials Unit with a printable ‘Material World’ Classroom display kit.
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Exploring Materials Unit Assessment
Assess your students knowledge of materials and their properties with a printable Exploring Materials Unit Assessment.
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What’s It Made Of? Materials PowerPoint (F)
Explore the world and discover the materials we use to make everyday objects with our ‘What’s It Made Of?’ Materials PowerPoint Presentation.
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Materials in the Classroom Worksheets
Observe and identify the materials used to make things in the classroom with a set of printable Materials in the Classroom Worksheets.
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Bend, Twist or Stretch? Changing Materials Inquiry Activity
Explore materials, observe physical changes, make predictions, and share scientific observations with a hands-on Changing Materials Science Investigation.
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Sorting Rocks By Properties - Science Sorting Mats
Make sorting rocks by properties hands-on and engaging with our Printable Rock Properties Sorting Mats for Kindergarten through Year 3.
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My Rock Collection - Google Slides E-Book
Introduce your students to the world of rocks and minerals with a digital Rocks book for foundation and year 1 students.
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Material World PowerPoint - Processed and Natural Materials
Discover the difference between processed and natural materials with an instructional slide show.
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Processed Materials Poster
A poster displaying different processed materials and explaining what processed materials are.
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Natural Materials Poster
A poster displaying different natural materials and explaining what natural materials are.
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Material Mistakes - Problem Solving Worksheets
Analyse the properties of materials and boost critical thinking skills with our Material Mistakes Problem Solving Worksheets.
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Bend, Twist, or Stretch Worksheet Pack
Explore physical changes in different materials with a printable Bend, Twist or Stretch? Worksheet Pack for Year 2.
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What’s It Made Of? Material Sorting Activity
Identify everyday objects made of paper, wood, metal, and more with a hands-on Material Sorting Activity.
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Build a Bird Feeder Project (Recycling Materials)
Experience the engineering process and introduce your students to sustainable design with an exciting Build-a-Bird Feeder project using recycled materials.
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Mistaken Materials Worksheets
Explore materials and their positive properties with a set of printable Mistaken Materials Worksheets.