"Polymers, Look and See"

The student will be able to categorize polymers into four groups using their sense of sight and touch. Use the finger puppets to help illustrate the different physical attributes of polymers. Click here for a printer-friendly version of the finger puppets.

Materials
A variety of polymers that can be categorized into four groups: hard, soft, sticky, and malleable. (These four characteristics match the song and finger puppets, but other characteristics could be used as well, such as rough and smooth.)

Procedure
Review the atomic structure of polymers - e.g., atoms, molecules, polymer chains.

Display a variety of polymers on a table in view of the class. Discuss "same" and "different" aspects of the items.

As a large group or in small groups, list all descriptive words on the chalkboard, or on a data sheet. Through guided discussion, decide on the major categories: hard, soft, sticky, and malleable (or other characteristics you decide).

Evaluation
Students are able to classify polymer examples according to the characteristics chosen (Soft, hard, sticky, and malleable). Students are able to choose characteristics of polymers and sort examples accordingly.

Reinforcement/Enrichment
Sing "Polymers, Look and See", click here for the words to the song.

Suggested Materials
Fiber fill, picnic cooler, play dough®, legos®, straws, credit card, vacuum bottles, plastic table ware, nylon hose, balloon, baggies®, food containers, epoxy glue, toothbrush, comb, carpet, silly putty®.

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