Teacher guide · Curious Lab · Easier · about 30 min

🧪 Raincoat Material Mission

Pupils practise curiosity through "Raincoat Material Mission": Choose useful materials for a rainy adventure.

Lesson guide

1. Hook · 5 min
Show the 🧪 mission title and read the opening: "Which property should a raincoat have?". Take three quick guesses.
2. Model · 5 min
Think aloud through the first step together. Use Sniff the Beagle's line as your prompt: "Great question! Ready to dig one layer deeper? Pick your next mission below."
3. Do · 10 min
Pairs work through the 5 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 curiosity today.

What was the hardest choice in "Raincoat Material Mission", and why?
Which property should a raincoat have — explain your reasoning to a partner.
Which object is usually transparent — explain your reasoning to a partner.
Which material would usually soak up a spill — explain your reasoning to a partner.
Where could you use curiosity 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: Science: working scientifically — asking questions and observing
National Curriculum: Geography/History: enquiry and using sources
PSHE: Living in the wider world: media literacy and checking information

Pupil sheet

Name: ____________________ Date: __________

1. Which property should a raincoat have?
☐ Made of holes
☐ Very absorbent
☐ Waterproof
2. Which object is usually transparent?
☐ A brick
☐ A clear glass window
☐ A wooden door
3. Which material would usually soak up a spill?
☐ A cotton towel
☐ A metal spoon
☐ A plastic ruler
4. Connect the clues to their meanings.
Rubber band → ________________
Window glass → ________________
Sponge → ________________
5. Design a rainy-day outfit. Name two materials and explain why each is useful.