Why do we have materials of different types? Watch the following clips to demonstrate that different fabrics have various characteristics and properties which make them suitable for diverse situations.
Source a range of everyday and specialist clothing - from t-shirts to wetsuits. Lay them out on a desk and ask the children to look at each item and classify its fabric (using the label), its characteristics and its purpose. Then ask the pupils to determine whether similar fabrics are used for similar purposes? Ask the pupils to identify which fabrics are natural and which are man-made.
