Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Reversible or Not Lab: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 5
- ForYear 5
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Reversible or Not Lab is a free printable science worksheet for Year 5 (ages 9 to 10). Children test with an adult, write what they see in a table, then sort each change as reversible or not. They finish by explaining their thinking in writing, using what they saw as evidence.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Page 1 has a table with four columns: Test, What you do, What I saw and Reversible or not. Children fill it in as they test, while an adult does any step that involves heat. Below the table are numbered questions with lines for answers. They ask which test was irreversible and how they know, how to get salt back from salty water, how to make melted chocolate solid again, and why toast can never turn back into bread.
- Test
- What you do
- What I saw
- Reversible or not?
- Which test was irreversible? How do you know?
- How could you get the salt back from the salty water?
- How could you make the melted chocolate solid again?
- Why can toast never turn back into bread?
What are reversible and irreversible changes?
In science, materials can change in many ways. A reversible change is one that can be undone, so the material can be got back as it was. An irreversible change cannot be undone. Year 5 children meet this idea in the National Curriculum for England under properties and changes of materials. Kitchens are full of everyday changes, which is why safe kitchen tests suit this topic so well.
Good scientists do not guess. They test, look closely and write down what they see. Then they use that evidence to decide. A reason that starts "I saw this happen, so..." is stronger than "I think so". This sheet practises that habit. The table gives children a place to record observations before they sort, so each decision rests on something they noticed.
Adults do every step that involves heat, toasting, melting or hot items. Children watch from a safe distance and write what they see. Nobody should taste test materials. Check for food allergies before using any food, including chocolate.
Quick science facts
- Scientists write down what they observe as they go, because memory can let us down.
- An observation is something you notice using your senses, such as how something looks, feels or smells.
- Evidence is information that helps you decide whether an idea is right.
- Kitchens are full of changes to materials, so cooking is a good place to spot them.
- Sorting changes into groups helps scientists find patterns.
Skills and curriculum link
- Recording observations
- Sorting changes
- Explaining with evidence
- Using scientific words
- Working together
Science ideas that help
- ReversibleA reversible change can be undone, so the material can go back to how it started.
- IrreversibleAn irreversible change cannot be undone, however hard you try.
- Look before you decideNotice what the material looks, feels and smells like before and after a test. Write the changes in the table.
- Use a reasonFinish your answer with "because" and say what you saw. Evidence makes an answer stronger.
Key words
- ReversibleA change that can be undone, so the material can go back to how it was.
- IrreversibleA change that cannot be undone.
- MaterialWhat something is made from, such as paper, metal or chocolate.
- ObservationSomething you notice by looking closely or using your other senses.
- EvidenceWhat you saw or found out, which helps you explain your answer.
- TestTrying something out to find out what happens.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Set up five stations, or test in groups. An adult does any step that involves heat or hot items.
- Children visit each test, then write what they saw in the table. Ask them to describe it before they decide.
- Complete the sorting column, then answer the questions on the lines. Talk about each choice and ask for a reason.
- Check against page 2 together. Come back to the sheet another day, because repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Let your child draw what they saw instead of writing sentences. Then they tick reversible or irreversible. Ask simple questions such as "What looked different?" and "Could you get it back?" Do the first test together, then let them try the next one alone.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to think of two more everyday changes, one reversible and one irreversible. They explain each choice using "because". Then they swap with a friend and see whether the friend agrees with their reasons.
Make it a game
Play stand or crouch. Call out an everyday change. Children stand if they think it is reversible and crouch if they think it is irreversible. Then ask one child to give a reason. Take turns to be the caller.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child writes "it changed" in the What I saw column and nothing more.
Try thisAsk what it looked like before and after. Prompt with words about colour, shape, feel and smell, then write one clear detail.
Watch forA child decides reversible or irreversible before looking at what happened.
Try thisAsk them to cover the last column and describe the test first. Then ask what they saw that helps them decide.
Watch forA child gives a reason such as "because it is".
Try thisAsk "How do you know?" and "What did you see?" Help them write one sentence that starts with "I saw..." and ends with "so...".
Talk about it
- Which test surprised you most? Why?
- What words could you use to describe what you saw?
- How did you decide between reversible and irreversible?
- Can you think of a change at home that cannot be undone?
- Can you think of a change at home that can be undone?
- How could you make your answers even more convincing?
Take it off the page
Kitchen spotter
Watch an adult cook or make a drink. Stay at a safe distance and write down every change you notice. Sort each one as reversible or irreversible.
Change cards
Draw everyday changes on small pieces of paper, one per card. Sort them into two piles and explain each choice to someone else.
Science diary
Pick a material at home, such as paper or a bar of soap. Write or draw what it is like. Say how you could safely change it and whether the change could be undone.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first test, then let them lead. Do any heating or hot steps yourself. Ask "What did you see?" before "Is it reversible?" Praise careful looking and clear reasons, not only right answers.
Teachers
Use it as a starter or plenary in a unit on properties and changes of materials. It works as a table activity, early finisher task or homework. Run the stations yourself where heat is involved. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider science plan. It pairs well with cooking, outdoor play and everyday talk. Adults handle any heating. You can reuse the sheet for brothers and sisters, or for revision a few weeks later.
Where this fits in science
Before this, children learn about everyday materials and their properties, and about states of matter. They sort materials by how they behave, and they practise observing carefully and describing what they see.
After this, children build on the idea of changes to materials as they plan their own enquiries and gather evidence. Later science adds more detail about why some changes can be undone and others cannot. Recording and explaining now gives them a strong start.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Reversible or Not Lab for?
It is written for Year 5 (ages 9 to 10), in Key Stage 2. It links to the properties and changes of materials strand in the National Curriculum for England. Older or younger children can try it with support.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or a later revision session. Black and white printing on plain A4 paper works well.
- Is it safe for children to do the tests?
Adults must do every step that involves heat, toasting, melting or hot items. Children watch from a safe distance and record what they see. Nobody should taste test materials, and adults should check for allergies first.
- What if my child finds the writing hard?
Let them draw what they saw and tick reversible or irreversible instead of writing sentences. Talk through each answer aloud first. Then add one short sentence together, starting with "I saw..." to build confidence.
- Where are the answers?
They are on page 2, which is for the grown-up. It also has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea. Check answers together and ask for reasons.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. It works as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. The only preparation is printing and gathering what each test needs. Teachers should run any heating steps themselves.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, plus whatever the tests need. That makes it a calm choice for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. It also gets children talking and writing by hand.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.