Teaching of Science
Statement of Intent
The national curriculum for science aims to ensure that all pupils:
- Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
- Develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
- Are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
At Kells Lane Primary School, children are encouraged to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings and a love of science is nurtured through a whole school ethos and a varied science curriculum. We encourage children to be inquisitive and aim to foster a keen interest in children about our universe.
How we teach science
How is science organised across our school?
| Term Year Group | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Materials | Seasonal Changes - Weather | Seasonal Changes & Plants | Materials | Animals Including Plants | Seasonal Changes & Animals Including Humans |
| 2 | Materials | Living Things & Their Habits | Materials | Animals Including Humans | Plants | Animals Including Humans |
| 3 | Animals Including Humans | Animals Including Humans | Rocks | Forces & Magnets | Plants | Light |
| 4 | State Of Matter | Animals Including Humans | Living Things & Their Habitats | Animals Including Humans | Electricity | Sound |
| 5 | Materials & Their Properties | Materials & Their Properties | Earth & Space | Earth & Space & Forces | Living Things & Their Habitats | Animals Including Humans |
| 6 | Electricity | Light | Living Things & Their Habitats | Living Things & Their Habitats | Evolution & Inheritance | Animals Including Humans |
Working Scientifically: Enquiry Types
Our children carry out several investigations which involve the different types of enquiry:
- comparative / fair testing
- research
- observation over time
- pattern seeking
- identifying, grouping and classifying
- problem solving
What does science look like in the classroom?
A lesson typically begins with the teaching of key vocabulary and/or retrieval of key vocabulary from the previous science lesson. We play games such as Vocabulary Bingo, Splat, Noughts and Crosses to help our children remember the key scientific words.
We then begin with a discussion to engage our young scientists and to embed their new learning into their long term memory. We use Explorify, Odd One Out & See Through Science Images to help aid discussions.
All lessons focus on the working scientifically skills (enquiry skills). It is an expectation that the enquiry type and the skill are shared with the children. Children then gain the knowledge required throughout the taught practical activities. Formative assessment is constantly used to inform planning and teaching and pupil voice is carried out to assess impact.
Aims of our Eco Committee:
- Kickstart our Eco School Green Flag Award
- Raise awareness of the current climate crisis
- Build upon current learning of Global Themes – Sustainable Development and Globalisation
- To inspire, motivate and empower a generation of future activists – ease ‘climate anxiety’
- ‘The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.’ Robert Swan
Across our school, from nursery to Y6, we have keen environmentalists who work with Mrs. Simpson-Smith & Mr. Wells to discuss projects and make core decisions to help us run our school effectively whilst thinking about our planet. The meetings last around 15 minutes and are held every second week. The class Eco-Committee representatives keep us all informed of the latest plans and happenings and update the Eco Board to share with everyone new information and actions.
Whole School Eco Day
To inspire everyone to get involved in climate change discussions ready for the COP26 in Glasgow, we held an Eco Day and as a school we discussed an important question: can one person make a difference?
Children realise that one person CAN make a difference! Many of our children have made a difference and in recognition of this, they have recieved a green Blue Peter badge for making three pledges: Power, Plastic and Plants. We are proud to get involved in world issues and care deeply about climate change.
