Science

At Hartford Primary School, we aim to develop children's interest and appetite for learning through our science lessons. We encourage children to be imaginative in their approach to a problem and we develop children’s curiosity about the world around them. Our science lessons fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum and we cover the major scientific concepts. Children are encouraged to ask questions, make predictions and to record their findings using the correct scientific vocabulary. We make links to other subjects and develop our children’s understanding of the importance of science in the wider world. During science week each year, our children get the chance to take part in small group and whole class experiments to further spark their curiosity. In addition to this, we also have an after school club run by Mad Science.

 

Working Scientifically Skills

During years 1 and 2, are taught to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills through the teaching of the programme of study content:

* asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways

*  observing closely, using simple equipment

*  performing simple tests

*  identifying and classifying

*  using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions

*  gathering and recording data to help in answering questions.

During years 3 and 4, pupils are taught to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills through the teaching of the programme of study content:

*  asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them

*  setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests

*  making systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, taking accurate measurements using standard units, using a range of equipment, including thermometers and data loggers

*  gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions

*  recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts, and tables

*  reporting on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions

*  using results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and raise further questions

*  identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processing straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings.

During years 5 and 6, pupils will be taught to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills through the teaching of the programme of study content:

*  planning different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, including recognising and controlling variables where necessary

*  taking measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate

*  recording data and results of increasing complexity using scientific diagrams and labels, classification keys, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs

*  using test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests

*  reporting and presenting findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of and degree of trust in results, in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations identifying scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments.

 

 

 

 

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