Science
‘The important thing is to never stop questioning.’
Albert Einstein
In simple terms, Science is the study of nature, the behaviour of natural things and the knowledge that we obtain about them.
At Chandos, our aim is for all children to explore and learn practically within their Science lessons, giving them the opportunities to research, question, predict, test, and challenge their knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts. We actively encourage children to find out their own answers by generating their own hypotheses, giving them opportunities to carry out experiments and investigations enabling them to find out their own answers.
Every child, regardless of gender, race or ability will have equal access to the Science Curriculum. We aim to provide for all children so that they can achieve their best according to their individual needs, whether they need additional support or more challenge.
Curriculum Intent
At Chandos, we:
create successful, effective learners who understand and value scholarship and education
create competent, critical thinkers who can challenge and develop ideas
create effective communicators of our shared beliefs, values and learning
create tolerant and respectful global citizens who have an understanding and knowledge of our local, national and global communities
Curriculum Implementation
At Chandos, we teach our Science curriculum through the learning challenge model. Each new unit begins with a 'big question', which the children aim to seek the answer to by asking a series of smaller questions. To find the answers to these, children take part in knowledge-led experiences, which allow them to increase their understanding of concepts as well as learn and master new skills, therefore deepening their understanding of the past.
We want to empower our children to find answers for themselves and so pride ourselves on creating opportunities for children to ask questions, conduct experiments, and to experience science in real life situations such as visitors to school (human and animal) or visits to museums. Giving our children hands-on, practical learning experiences allows them to expand their knowledge in exciting and engaging ways as well as develop a secure understanding of new scientific terminology and concepts.
Yearly overviews
Early Years
The Early Years Curriculum ensures that Science is taught through ‘Understanding the World’. This covers basic elements of understanding such as the weather, the seasons and nature. Early Years is all about exploring and investigating the world whilst having fun and playing. Science combines these two key elements, which is crucial to establishing a lifelong love of learning.
Throughout their time in Early Years, children are introduced to the Science curriculum indirectly though acitivies that encourage exploration, problem solving, prediction and observing the world around them both inside and outside of the classroom.
KS1 and KS2 Yearly Overviews
Every year group has a one-week Science learning challenges every half-term.
The units are mapped out as follows:
Science Overview.pdfIn addition to this, every year group has a term-long learning challenge which focuses on an aspect of Science from the National Curriculum. These are shown in green above and the 'big question' for each unit is shown below:
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Are all animals the same?
(animals including humans)
Animals: Do they all live together?
(living things and their habitats)
Can you produce fresh vegetables in space?
(plants)
Year Four
Year Five
Year Six
Why Is Music Enjoyed By So Many People?
(sound)
Could You Be The Next CSI Investigator?
(properties of materials)
Was Lucy Really My Ancestor?
(evolution and inheritance)
Working Scientifically Skills To Be Developed
All children at Chandos will be taught the working scientifically skills outlined in the National Curriculum. We have simplified these into four main categories to allow children to easily identify and build upon previously taught skills.
They are as follows:
Children will be taught how to ask a question that they can then investigate with a simple experiment.
Children will be given the opportunity to observe things over time e.g. plants growing and how to take an accurate measurement using different apparatus such as themometers.
Children will set up simple and practical enquiries that are both fair and where they can compare something to another.
Children will record information during their tests that they can then classify and present their findings with in a variety of different ways such as bar charts, diagrams and tables.
Curriculum Impact
At Chandos, we aim to instil a love of learning through our broad and exciting science curriculum by encouraging children to develop ideas, ask questions for themselves, recording their findings and communicating what they have learnt at every opportunity. Children gain an understanding of how the world around them has come to be by looking in depth at the world around them and by conducting investigations.
At the end of every learning challenge, children will have the opportunity to respond the the 'big question'. This is their opportunity to demonstrate and express what they have learnt during their topic by explaining scientific concepts, knowledge and terminology and to show everybody how they have mastered the scientific skills they have been taught. By talking to children and looking at their books, it will be evident that this is the case.
For more information...
Mrs Barber is our Science Lead
Please feel free to speak to her with any questions that you may have.