Overview
What different types of materials are there?An introduction to such materials as wood, rubber, coal, oil, and plastics, describing their characteristics and usefulness. Includes study questions, activities, and experiments.
Synopsis
What different types of materials are there?
Children's Literature
This text from the "Science Alive" series presents basic information about materials along with color photographs and diagrams throughout the book. After a brief description of three states of matter and the material sources, information about different types of materials (glass, wood, paper, plastic, fabric, and metals) follows. The last section of the book is about recycling materials. Between the different topics, there are four hands-on activities to explore; one of the "Try This " activities includes investigating the strength of different types of paper. Illustrations help to describe the procedures to set up the experiments. Some of the investigations may need adult supervision or help. The heat conductor activity suggests the assistance of an adult to handle the hot water. With each investigative activity, there are explanations to describe what occurred, but further discussion would extend students' understanding of the principles involved. Young investigators may need assistance with the format and layout of this informational text, along with the content vocabulary. Additional resources may be needed to deepen understandings. Those investigators wishing to explore the topic of matter further may find the websites listed in the back of the book helpful. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung