---
title: "Choosing the Right Material"
description: "Identify and compare the suitability of everyday materials for particular uses, explaining why specific materials are chosen for specific purposes"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/choosing-the-right-material-mt_rTn43s8RNX
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/choosing-the-right-material-mt_rTn43s8RNX.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Choosing the Right Material

Identify and compare the suitability of everyday materials for particular uses, explaining why specific materials are chosen for specific purposes

Subject: Science · Area: Matter & Materials · Ages 6 to 8
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/choosing-the-right-material-mt_rTn43s8RNX

## Ready when they can

- Explain why a specific material is chosen for a purpose based on its properties (e.g. glass for windows because it's transparent)
- Compare two materials and decide which is more suitable for a given use with reasoning
- Suggest an alternative material for an object and explain why it would or wouldn't work

## Lesson: Choosing the Right Material

Every material has its own properties, like hard, soft, see-through, waterproof, or light. When people choose a material for a job, they match its properties to what the job needs.

**Example.** Windows are made of glass. Glass is see-through, so light comes in and you can look outside. Wood is strong, but you cannot see through it, so a wooden window would leave the room dark with no view.

**Example.** Wellies are made of rubber, not paper. Rubber keeps water out and bends easily around your foot. Paper soaks up water and tears, so your feet would get cold and wet.

*(drawing: Paper lets lots of water through, cloth lets some through, and rubber lets none through. That is why wellies are rubber, not paper.)*

Before you pick a material, ask: what job does this thing need to do? Then find a material with the right properties for that job.

**Recap.** Good material choices match a material's properties to the job it has to do.

## Practice

24 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Grouping Materials](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/grouping-materials-mt_SwaNNdm_Ks)

## Opens up

- [Testing Materials for Uses](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/testing-materials-for-uses-mt_e3-_toGuWf)
- [Advanced Material Properties](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/advanced-material-properties-mt_Ge4Wtg6QMM)
- [Material Properties Vocabulary](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/material-properties-vocabulary-mt_MVovx37Xct)
- [Strengthening Structures](https://lightmysky.com/learn/design-and-technology/strengthening-structures-mt_QnYDI3itJY)