Teacher guide · Think Lab · Easier · about 30 min

🧱 Magic Materials

Pupils practise problem solving and curiosity through "Magic Materials": Which material is best for the job?

Lesson guide

1. Hook · 5 min
Show the 🧱 mission title and read the opening: "Best material for a window?". Take three quick guesses.
2. Model · 5 min
Think aloud through the first step together. Use Cog the Owl's line as your prompt: "Good thinking. Show me the why."
3. Do · 10 min
Pairs work through the 4 steps on screen or on the printed sheet. Circulate and ask "why?"
4. Discuss · 10 min
Use two or three of the discussion questions. Ask pairs to share different answers, not just correct ones.
5. Reflect · 5 min
Exit ticket: one sentence on how they used problem solving today.

What was the hardest choice in "Magic Materials", and why?
Best material for a window — explain your reasoning to a partner.
Best for a warm jumper — explain your reasoning to a partner.
Why would a chocolate teapot be a bad idea — explain your reasoning to a partner.
Where could you use problem solving outside school this week?
If you did this again, what would you change?

Support: Read prompts aloud, pair with a confident partner, and accept spoken or drawn answers for writing steps.

Stretch: Ask pupils to create their own extra step for a partner and explain the correct answer.

National Curriculum: Science: working scientifically plus the year-group topic
National Curriculum: Maths: reasoning mathematically and problem solving
National Curriculum: Computing: logical reasoning and algorithms
PSHE: Living in the wider world: making decisions and evaluating choices

Pupil sheet

Name: ____________________ Date: __________

1. Best material for a window?
☐ Glass
☐ Wood
☐ Wool
2. Best for a warm jumper?
☐ Metal
☐ Paper
☐ Wool
3. Match the material.
Spoon → ________________
Teddy → ________________
Table → ________________
Bottle → ________________
4. Why would a chocolate teapot be a bad idea?