201 Things We Use
👩🏫 Teacher’s Guide
Objective
Students will classify tools, devices, materials, and containers; evaluate how inventions solve problems; and explain how material choice affects safety and usefulness.
Vocabulary
tool, device, inventor, purpose, material, container, fragile, durable, efficient, function
Teaching Notes
- Start with a table of objects. Ask: “What problem does this item solve?”
- Highlight how inventions improve comfort, speed, and safety.
- Compare materials: wood vs. metal vs. plastic vs. glass.
- Discuss why fragile items need careful handling.
- Encourage students to justify tool choices: “Why is this the best tool?”
🧒 Student Worksheet
Concept and Helping Material
Tools and devices help us work, learn, communicate, and stay safe.
Materials change how an object feels, works, and lasts.
Key Ideas
- A tool helps us do work more easily (scissors, tape, ruler).
- A device uses electricity or energy (tablet, fan, flashlight).
- Each object has a purpose — the job it was made to do.
- Materials change strength, weight, and safety.
- A container holds or stores items.
- Inventors design new solutions.
Vocabulary and Definitions
- — object used to complete a task
- — tool powered by energy
- — person who creates something new
- — the job something does
- — substance an item is made of
- — something that holds items
- — easy to break
- — strong and long-lasting
- — works well with little waste
- — how something works
Words to Learn
tool, device, inventor, purpose, material, container, fragile, durable, efficient, function
Sentences to Fill In
- A pencil is a ____ used for writing.
- A tablet is a ____ because it uses electricity.
- The ____ of a broom is to sweep dirt.
- Glass is ____, so it can break easily.
- Plastic is often ____ because it lasts a long time.
- Wood, metal, and plastic are types of ____.
- A bottle is a ____ for holding liquids.
- A microwave is more ____ than cooking on a fire.
- The ____ of scissors is to cut.
- Someone who creates new tools is an ____.
Think & Respond (15 Q&A)
- Why do people invent tools?
- Why are some tools small and others large?
- How do materials affect safety?
- Why might a tool have a handle?
- Why are devices sometimes better than tools?
- How does knowing the purpose of a tool help you use it?
- Why is it important to store tools correctly?
- How does the right material improve a tool?
- Why shouldn’t glass tools be used for sports?
- How do containers help us stay organized?
- Why do we need both tools and devices?
- What would happen if we had no inventions?
- Why do inventors test their ideas?
- Why is recycling materials important?
- How does a simple tool sometimes work better than a device?
Hands-On Activity
Tool Sorting Lab
Sort 10 classroom objects by:
- tool / device / container
- material: metal, plastic, wood, glass
- fragility: fragile / durable
Think & Talk
- Which items were strongest?
- Which items needed careful handling?
Reflection
- One tool I use often is ____.
- One invention I wish existed is ____.