What is it made of: materials around us
What is it made of: materials around us
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Help children notice the materials that make up the world around them.
Children are surrounded by wood, plastic, metal, glass, fabric, paper, rubber, stone, and many other materials every day — but they do not always stop to think about what objects are made from, why certain materials are chosen, or how materials are used in daily life.
This printable science resource introduces children to common materials in a simple, hands-on way.
It is ideal for junior science, Montessori cultural studies, practical life connections, homeschool learning, and early inquiry work about the physical world.
Why this resource matters
Understanding materials helps children make sense of their environment.
They begin to ask questions such as:
- What is this object made from?
- Why was this material used?
- Is this material natural or human-made?
- Is it strong, flexible, soft, hard, transparent, waterproof, or absorbent?
- Could this object be made from a different material?
These questions help children develop observation skills, vocabulary, classification skills, and early scientific thinking.
What children learn
This resource supports children to explore:
- common materials
- everyday objects
- material properties
- sorting and classification
- observation
- vocabulary development
- early science discussion
How to use it
Use this resource as part of a science unit, a Montessori shelf activity, a small group lesson, or an independent sorting task.
Children can match objects to materials, discuss what things are made from, compare properties, and look for examples around the classroom or home.
You can extend the work by asking children to collect classroom objects, sort them by material, or choose one object and explain why that material is useful.
Perfect for
- Montessori 6–9 science
- Junior primary science
- Homeschool science
- Materials and properties units
- Practical life connections
- Sorting and classification work
- Vocabulary development
- Inquiry learning
Created by a Montessori teacher
I’m a Montessori-trained and state-trained teacher in New Zealand. I create resources that help children look closely at the world around them and build understanding through observation, classification, and meaningful discussion.
Please note: This is a downloadable PDF resource. No physical product will be shipped.
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