STAGING
Why do we wear clothes?

Why do we wear clothes?
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
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DISCUSS:

Why do people wear clothes? How many reasons can you come up with?

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DISCUSS:

What kind of hat do you think you need?

What properties will your hat need to have?

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Anchor Connection Discuss. Look at the "Wonder" column of your class See-Think-Wonder chart. Have any questions been answered by the past lesson?
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Step
01/10
In the past lesson, you did a stiffness test. Materials that are stiff are called rigid. Materials that are not stiff are called flexible.
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Step
02/10
Discuss. Which of your hat materials were flexible? Which were rigid?
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03/10
This person is wearing a special hat. Discuss. Do you think it is rigid or flexible?
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04/10
This hat is called a hard hat. It is rigid. Discuss. How does a rigid hard hat keep this person safe?
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05/10
The clothes this person is wearing have to be flexible. Discuss. Why do clothes have to be flexible? (Hint: this person has to be able to move while they work.)
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06/10
The last thing is the face shield. It is rigid, but not as rigid as the hard hat. It stops things like sparks from hitting this person’s eyes and face.
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07/10
Discuss. Where does the worker wear flexible things? Where do they wear rigid things? Why?
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Step
08/10
Get your copy of the Beat the Heat worksheet.
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Step
09/10
Add the word rigid where the person is wearing something rigid. Add the word flexible where the person is wearing something flexible.
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Save this paper. You can put it on a bulletin board for everyone to see, or just set it somewhere safe. You will add to it after the next lesson.
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material


1 of 11

what something is made of, like metal, wood, or plastic
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metal


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a natural material that is often shiny and you cannot see through it
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weather


3 of 11

what the air is like at a particular time and place
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waterproof


4 of 11

does not absorb water
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absorb


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to soak up liquid, like a sponge does
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opaque


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you cannot see through it, such as with the walls of a building
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stiff


7 of 11

cannot bend easily
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soft


8 of 11

squishy or smooth, not hard or rough
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property


9 of 11

something you can observe about an object or material
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design


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to make a plan for creating or doing something
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engineer


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a person who uses science to come up with solutions to problems
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Activity
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Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students explore the different properties of materials used for clothing, such as texture, flexibility, and absorbency. In the activity, Mad Hatter, students use this information to design and build a hat that protects them from the Sun.
Preview activity
Number of students:

I have a Mystery Pack

Hat Inspiration worksheet 1 per group
Mad Hatter’s worksheet 1 per student
Aluminum Foil
9" per student
Clothespins
Binder clips or hair clips will also work.
Details
2 clothespins per student
Paper Cups (8 oz)
1 cup per group
Paper Lunch Bags
1 bag per student
Paper Plates
1 plate per student
Paper Towels
1 sheet per student
Plastic Spoons
2 spoons per group
String
Yarn or ribbon also work.
Details
3 feet per student
Prep Instructions

You will need access to water for this activity.

Each student will make their own hat, but groups of four students will share a cup of water for the Sweat-Soaker test.

Prepare Supplies

  • Cut a 3-foot length of string/yarn/ribbon for each student.
  • Tear off a 9” piece of aluminum foil for each student.
  • Fill each cup about halfway with water.
  • Optional: Provide a hand-held mirror so students can see their hats as they work on them.

Engineering Teacher Tip

We created the Hat Inspiration printouts for students who are stumped and frustrated by the task of making a hat. We suggest letting students try building on their own first, then providing these Inspiration Sheets only to those who may need additional help.

Exploration

20 mins

Hands-On Activity

35 mins

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