Engage students by discussing everyday items made from rubber, such as erasers and tires. Ask them to think about what makes rubber special and why it's used in so many products.

Discuss the natural and synthetic sources of rubber, focusing on how latex from rubber trees is processed into rubber.

Introduce the properties of rubber, such as elasticity and waterproofness, and explain how these properties make rubber suitable for various applications.

Watch the video 'Diversity of Materials – Rubber' to explore the properties and uses of rubber. This video highlights rubber's origin and transformation into both natural and synthetic forms.

Explore how rubber is used in different everyday items and industries, highlighting its versatility and importance.

Discuss the impact of technological advancements in enhancing the properties of rubber for specialized uses.

Conduct an experiment to test the elasticity of rubber bands. Have students stretch rubber bands to see how far they can go and then measure how they return to their original shape.

Assign students to find and list items at home that are made of rubber and describe their uses.

Use the 'States of Matter' assessment to help students identify and categorize rubber as a solid and understand its properties in comparison to other materials.

Have students reflect on what they learned about rubber and its properties. Encourage them to think about how rubber's properties make it useful in everyday life.

Use the 'What Is Matter?' assessment to evaluate students' understanding of the concept of matter, including rubber as a material.

Encourage students to explore further by researching how rubber is recycled and its environmental impact.