Beginner
30 mins
Teacher/Student led
+65 XP
Teacher-led from the board — pupils need no device

Bendy and Stiff

You will explore everyday items by gently bending them to see if they curve or stay straight. Then sort the bendy ones from the stiff ones and draw what you discovered.

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    1 - Getting Started ~3 mins

    The two objects the class will bend, shown plainly side by sideLook at this drinking straw in my hands. What do you think will happen if I gently bend it?

    Now look at this wooden ruler. What do you think will happen if I gently try to bend that one?

    2 - Look and Wonder ~3 mins

    Key words

    The tray of test items the class will sort, so all objects are seenToday's words: bendy — it curves when we gently push it. stiff — it stays straight and does not bend easily.

    Look at our tray. Which things do you think will bend? Which do you think will stay stiff?

    3 - Gently Try to Bend ~8 mins

    At your tray, gently try to bend each thing with two hands. Does it curve, or does it stay straight? Take turns. Keep it away from faces.

    4 - Sort Bendy and Stiff ~5 mins

    Now sort your things at your group's hoops. Put the bendy ones in one hoop. Put the stiff ones in the other hoop. Tell a friend why each one goes there.

    5 - Show and Draw ~6 mins

    On your Investigation Journal page, show the bendy things and the stiff things. Draw or mark one bendy thing and one stiff thing. Point to which is which.

    Pupil practice · Investigation Journal
    Module 2 · Materials: What Things Are Made of and How They Change
    Lesson 13 · Bendy and Stiff
    Download Investigation Journal sheet (PDF)
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