Case Study-Materials Around Us-Class 6-Science

Case Study 1: Observing Objects Around Us

Ghulan and Sheeta were excited to return to school after the summer break. They began discussing what they had brought to school. Ghulan showed his new notebook, while Sheeta had a new notebook and a pen. Their teacher, Madam Vidya, entered the classroom and initiated a discussion about the various objects they use daily. She asked them to observe their belongings and think about what materials they were made of. The students noticed that their books were made of paper, desks of wood, water bottles of plastic, and windowpanes of glass. This made them curious about the different materials that make up everyday objects.

Questions & Answers:

1. What did Ghulan and Sheeta bring to school?
   Answer: Ghulan brought a notebook, while Sheeta brought a notebook and a pen.

2. What did the teacher ask the students to observe?
   Answer: She asked them to observe the objects around them and think about what materials they were made of.

3. What materials did the students identify in their belongings?
   Answer: Paper for books, wood for desks, plastic for bottles, and glass for windows.

4. Why did the teacher start this discussion?
   Answer: To help students understand that different objects are made from different materials.

5. Can a single object be made from multiple materials?
   Answer: Yes, for example, a pen is made of plastic, metal, and ink.

Case Study 2: Grouping Materials

Madam Vidya conducted an activity where students grouped objects based on common properties. Some students grouped items by shape, others by color, and some by the materials they were made of. They realized that objects made from the same material, like wood or metal, could have different shapes and uses. The teacher explained that organizing objects into groups is called classification. It helps in understanding their similarities and differences. They also learned that the same material can be used for different objects, like wood for furniture, paper, and doors.

Questions & Answers:

1. How did students group objects in the activity?
   Answer: They grouped them by shape, color, and material.

2. What is the process of arranging objects into groups called?
   Answer: It is called classification.

3. Why is classification important?
   Answer: It helps in understanding similarities and differences between objects.

4. Give an example of a material used for different objects.
   Answer: Wood is used for making furniture, doors, and paper.

5. Can two objects made from the same material look different?
   Answer: Yes, objects made of metal can be shiny or dull, big or small.

Case Study 3: Materials Used in Ancient Times

Madam Vidya introduced the class to ancient pottery techniques. She explained that the earliest pottery in India dates back 7,000–8,000 years in places like Mehrgarh and Lahuradewa. Early civilizations used clay to make pots, bowls, and dishes. They later developed techniques like wheel-turned pottery and decorative coatings. The students were fascinated to learn how materials like clay were carefully selected, kneaded, and baked into terracotta items. These pots were used for cooking, storing grains, and even as water containers.

Questions & Answers:

1. When did the earliest pottery in India begin?
   Answer: Around 7,000–8,000 years ago.

2. Which material was commonly used in ancient pottery?
   Answer: Clay, which was baked into terracotta.

3. What techniques did ancient people use to make pots?
   Answer: They used wheel-turned pottery and decorative coatings.

4. What were clay pots used for?
   Answer: Cooking, storing grains, and holding water.

5. Why was terracotta preferred for making pots?
   Answer: It was strong, durable, and retained water coolness.

Case Study 4: Properties of Materials

Ghulan and Sheeta conducted an experiment to understand the properties of materials. They collected different items like a metal key, a piece of wood, an iron nail, and an eraser. They tested if the materials were hard or soft by scratching them. They found that metal was hard and difficult to scratch, while wood was softer. Their teacher explained that materials with shiny surfaces are called lustrous, like gold and silver, while materials like rubber and cloth are non-lustrous. This activity helped them understand why certain materials are chosen for specific purposes.

Questions & Answers:

1. What experiment did Ghulan and Sheeta perform?
   Answer: They tested the hardness of different materials by scratching them.

2. Which materials were found to be hard?
   Answer: Metal and iron nails were hard.

3. What does ‘lustrous’ mean?
   Answer: It means having a shiny surface, like gold and silver.

4. Why are some materials non-lustrous?
   Answer: They do not reflect light well, like rubber and cloth.

5. Why is hardness an important property?
   Answer: Hard materials are used for tools and construction.

Case Study 5: Transparent, Translucent, and Opaque Materials

One day, Ghulan, Sheeta, and Sara played hide and seek. Ghulan hid behind a wooden door, Sheeta behind a glass window, and Sara behind frosted glass. Sheeta’s younger brother could see her clearly through the window, but Sara appeared blurry, and Ghulan was completely hidden. Their teacher later explained that materials like glass are transparent (allowing light to pass through), frosted glass is translucent (allowing partial light), and wood is opaque (blocking light completely).

Questions & Answers:

1. Where did Ghulan, Sheeta, and Sara hide?
   Answer: Ghulan behind a wooden door, Sheeta behind a glass window, and Sara behind frosted glass.

2. What are transparent materials?
   Answer: Materials that allow full light to pass through, like glass.

3. What are translucent materials?
   Answer: Materials that allow some light to pass, like frosted glass.

4. What are opaque materials?
   Answer: Materials that block light completely, like wood.

5. Why do we use transparent materials for windows?
   Answer: So that light can pass through and brighten rooms.

Case Study 6: Solubility of Materials in Water

Ghulan’s mother made him shikanji (lemonade) by mixing sugar, salt, and lemon juice in water. He noticed that sugar and salt dissolved completely, but lemon pulp did not. His teacher explained that materials that dissolve in water are called soluble, like sugar and salt, while those that do not dissolve are insoluble, like sand and chalk powder.

Questions & Answers:

1. What drink did Ghulan’s mother make?
   Answer: Shikanji (lemonade).

2. Which ingredients dissolved in water?
   Answer: Sugar and salt.

3. What does ‘soluble’ mean?
   Answer: It means a substance can dissolve in water.

4. Which substances were insoluble?
   Answer: Lemon pulp, sand, and chalk powder.

5. Why is solubility important?
   Answer: It helps in making solutions like medicines and drinks.