This lesson was developed through a grant from the Battelle STEM Grant Program.
Title—Polymers
Grade Level- First Grade
Objectives— Students will sort objects based on the objects properties. Students will discover
properties of objects/materials change when mixed together.
New Learning Standards for Ohio
Science- Physical Science
Topics- Motion and Materials
Content Statements- Properties of objects and materials can change.
Language ArtsTopics- Writing Standards
Content Standards- Write narratives in which they recount two or more appropriately
sequenced events, include some details regarding what happened, use temporal words to
signal event order, and provide some sense of closure.
Topics- Speaking and Listening
Content Standards> Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and
texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
a. Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others with care, speaking one at
a time about the topics and texts under discussion).
b. Build on others’ talk in conversations by responding to the comments of others through
multiple exchanges.
c. Ask questions to clear up any confusion about a topic and text under discussion
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This lesson was developed through a grant from the Battelle STEM Grant Program.
> Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to gather additional
information or clarify something that is not understood.
> Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details, expressing ideas and
feelings clearly
> Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions when appropriate to clarify ideas,
thoughts, and feelings
Social StudiesTopic- Rules and Laws
Content Standard- Rules exist in different settings. The principles of fairness should guide
rules and the consequences for breaking rules.
Topic- Civic Participation and Skills
Content Standards- Collaboration requires group members to respect the rights and opinions
of others.
21st Century Skills Collaboration
 Critical Thinking
 Creativity
 Communication
Pre-Visit1. Sort objects into different groups—wood, metals & plastic. This can be completed in
small groups or as a large group.
a. Materials2
This lesson was developed through a grant from the Battelle STEM Grant Program.
i. Collect a variety of objects from around your classroom or home that are
made of wood (paper), metal & plastic.
2. Discuss which are natural and which are man-made some are both). Make a Venn
diagram with the objects.
3. Introduction to plastic. Visit website— Bill Nye the Science Guy- on Discovery Streaming.
http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/view?assetGuid=EEFC8075-BD9F-45688DE9-23E8C8D25D25&showBreadcrumbs=true
4. Introduction to rubber. Visit website— Bill Nye the Science Guy- on Discovery Streaming.
http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/view?assetGuid=EEFC8075-BD9F-45688DE9-23E8C8D25D25&showBreadcrumbs=true
5. Polymers are a chain of units. Polymers follow two different rules orderly and disorderly.
Have the kids demonstrate and orderly “line” for hallway walking and a disorderly “line”
for hallway walking.
6. Students will work in groups (21cs) to form garland out of paper rings. Students will
need different colors of paper cut into strips to form rings.
a. Orderly—make rings out of paper following a pattern and describe the pattern
(21cs).
i. Red, green, red, green
ii. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple (repeat)
See—for images of ringshttp://piecesfrommyheart-sgervais.blogspot.com/2009/11/blog-hop-day12.html
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This lesson was developed through a grant from the Battelle STEM Grant Program.
b. Disorderly—students will make a chain/blob that does not follow a pattern or even
make a chain.
7. Students will record the observations in pictures and in words in their data notebook.
While at The Works or Outreach—
A. Review polymer vocabulary.
B. Rules of Scientists.
C. Crazy Putty – www.sciencekids.conz/experiments/crazyputty.html
Materials•
2 containers
•
Water
•
Food coloring
•
PVA glue
•
Borax solution(ratio of about 1 tablespoon of borax to a cup of water)
Instructions1. Fill the bottom of the large container with PVA glue.
2. Add a few squirts of water and stir.
3. Add 2 or 3 drops of food coloring and stir.
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This lesson was developed through a grant from the Battelle STEM Grant Program.
4. Add a squirt of Borax (possibly a bit more depending on how much PVA glue you
used).
5. Stir mixture up and put it into smaller containers. By now the mixture should be
joining together, acting like putty, crazy putty.
D. Explain--The PVA glue you use is a type of polymer called polyvinyl acetate (PVA for
short) while the Borax is made of a chemical called sodium borate. When you combine
the two in a water solution, the borax reacts with glue molecules, joining them together
into one giant molecule. This new compound is able to absorb large amounts of water,
producing a putty like substance which you can squish in your hands or even bounce.
Post Visit & Performance Assessment—
1. Individually, brainstorm the events that took place at The Works. Record your data in
your data notebook.
2. As group, collect your data into a class chart.
3. Using the class chart, write a thank you note to The Works.
4. Students may now add to their data notebook if they forgot anything.
5. Now, we will create a class book. Each student will write and illustrate one page to add
to the book.
a. My favorite part about The Works . . . .
Resources for Teachers—
Teachers Pay Teachers -- Polymers
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Friday-Fun-Series-Playing-with-Polymers664700
Websites—
Bill Nye the Science Guy- Plastics5
This lesson was developed through a grant from the Battelle STEM Grant Program.
http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/view?assetGuid=EEFC8075-BD9F-4568-8DE923E8C8D25D25&showBreadcrumbs=true
Bill Nye the Science guy- Rubberhttp://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/view?assetGuid=EEFC8075-BD9F-4568-8DE923E8C8D25D25&showBreadcrumbs=true
Image of paper ringshttp://piecesfrommyheart-sgervais.blogspot.com/2009/11/blog-hop-day-12.html
Extension Activities—
 Use polymers (plastic pellets) from Bayer and ice cream containers from Velvet to predict
and explore measurement. How many quarts fit into a gallon? How many pints fit into a
quart?
 Make sand art using the plastic pellets from Bayer.
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This lesson was developed through a grant from the Battelle STEM Grant Program.
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