Wool: An Overview

Wool is a natural fiber that comes from the fleece of sheep and other animals such as goats (cashmere and mohair), rabbits (angora), and even certain camel species. It is a versatile and valuable material that has been used for thousands of years to make clothing, blankets, and other textiles.

Properties of Wool

Insulation: Wool is known for its excellent insulation properties, keeping the wearer warm in cold weather.
Moisture-wicking: Wool can absorb moisture vapor from the air while repelling liquid water, making it comfortable to wear in various conditions.
Elasticity: Wool fibers can stretch and return to their original shape, making wool garments resistant to wrinkles and deformation.
Durability: Wool fibers are strong and can withstand repeated bending and stretching without damage.
Flame resistance: Wool is naturally flame retardant, providing an added level of safety.

Uses of Wool

Wool is used to make a wide range of products, including:

Clothing: Sweaters, socks, scarves, and coats
Home textiles: Blankets, carpets, and upholstery
Industrial applications: Insulation materials and filtration products

Environmental Impact

Wool is biodegradable and renewable, making it an eco-friendly choice compared to synthetic fibers. However, sheep farming practices and wool processing can have environmental implications that need to be considered.

Study Guide

What is the source of wool fiber?
List three properties of wool and explain their significance.
Name three products that are commonly made from wool.
Discuss the environmental impact of wool production.

◂Science Worksheets and Study Guides Second Grade. What is science?

Vocabulary/Answer key

What is science?

The resources above cover the following skills:

LIFE SCIENCE

Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Obtain information from literature and other media to illustrate that there are many different kinds of living things and that they exist in different places on land and in water (e.g., woodland, tundra, desert, rainforest, ocean, river).

EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE

Earth’s Systems

Make observations from media to obtain information about Earth’s events that happen over a short period of time (e.g., tornados, volcanic explosions, earthquakes) or over a time period longer than one can observe (e.g., erosion of rocks, melting of glaciers).

Collect and evaluate data to identify water found on Earth and determine whether it is a solid or a liquid (e.g., glaciers as solid forms of water; oceans, lakes, rivers, streams as liquid forms of water).