Science
Science Photos
Intent
Through science teaching at Orchard, we aim to develop children’s natural curiosity about the world around them. We aim to provide children with the substantive scientific knowledge to develop their scientific understanding of the world, while also equipping them with the disciplinary knowledge of how to work like a scientist.
- We want our children to develop an understanding of the uses and implications of science, how it has changed and shaped our lives and how vital it is for future developments.
- It is our aim that through science teaching at Orchard, we can open our children’s eyes and minds to future STEM careers.
- Develop an enquiry based approach to science with children asking and answering their own questions using a range of different enquiry types.
- Children will be scientifically literate and have a strong understanding of the scientific vocabulary in the curriculum.
- From Nursery to Year 6 and beyond, our pupils will build up a strong science knowledge, through revisiting key areas and building upon previous learning.
Please find below a document that outlines the coverage of Science teaching, alongside the knowledge and skills that will be developed.
Implementation
Throughout the teaching of Science, we aim to enable pupils to develop a keen interest in science and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. Pupils will understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.
Here is an overview of what pupils will cover in their time at Orchard:
Impact
As pupils progress through school they will develop their Scientific knowledge in key areas, including scientific enquiry. Throughout their time at Orchard Primary Academy children will cover the following areas:
- Working Scientifically
- Plants and Animals, including Humans
- Living Things and their Habitats
- Everyday Materials
- Seasonal Changes
- Rocks
- States of Matter
- Light
- Sound
- Electricity
- Forces and Magnets
- Evolution and Inheritance
- Earth and Space
At the start of each new topic, pupils will demonstrate prior knowledge in their books, this will enable teachers to ensure they have the firm foundations to build upon.
Children will be encouraged to reflect on the knowledge learnt throughout the topic and then their understanding will be visible in books at the end. Key vocabulary and prompts will be displayed in and out of the classroom environment, enabling children to absorb and reflect continuously, supporting long term knowledge development.
Please find below a document that shows the progression of Scientific knowledge and skills, this is constantly updated as new topic packs are created so will be re-uploaded each term.
How to help your child at home
Key Stage One
- Show your child plants or pictures of plants, such as apple trees, tomato plants, sweet corn, and cabbages and ask them why it is important for humans to grow plants.
- Plant seeds at home. Talk about the things plants need to grow, such as soil, water, light and air. Help them to observe the changes as the plants begin to grow.
- Do you have a pet? Help your child to point out the similarities between animals and humans. Do we both have arms, legs, eyes, ears and a nose? Do we both need food, water and sleep?
- Talk to your child about sources of light. Walk around your environment and point them out: timer switches, clock radio, computer, lamp, light bulb, street lamps, the sun and moon. Which are bright or dim?
- Link science to real life. Talk about how things were in the past and how scientific advances have brought changes. Share books that show non-electrical or old household appliances.
- Give your child a collection of items made from different materials – paper, cardboards, plastics, metals – and ask them to find different ways of grouping them (rough, smooth, shiny, dull or plastic, metal, wood, fabric).
- Point out materials that are found naturally and those that are not (twigs, unpolished/unfinished wood, sand, rocks, water, bone, clay, wool, glass, plastic, paper, cardboard). Ask your child to try sorting the materials into those they thinks are found naturally.
- Talk to your child about how natural materials are changed to make everyday objects. Use resources to help your child learn about the processes involved.
Key Stage Two
- Look up information about the different food types required for a balanced diet. Why are they needed? Plan a balanced meal together.
- Look at books together on the life cycle stages and talk about them.
- Plant mustard seeds in soil and place them in different environments - dark, light, wet and dry. After a determined period, look at them and note the differences. Draw the differences or take photographs and get books to find out some information about what causes these variations.
- Show your child how to change a plug.
- Try simple experiments with your child. Make observations such as, “When I put a seed in a wet environment it grows” or “If I place a round object on a flat surface it rolls”, or ask questions such as, “What happens if I put sugar in a full cup of water at room temperature?” “What will happen if I continue to add sugar?
Useful website links