Rationale
Science teaches children how to question, investigate and explore the world and processes around them. It teaches them key skills that are transferable to every aspect of life and promotes critical thinking. It helps children make sense of the world around them whilst promoting curiosity and exploration.
“Tynings scientists have inquisitive minds and are curious investigators.”
Science at The Tynings
Science is taught within our themed curriculum and often in a cross-curricular way with history and geography. Themes are designed to engage the children and promote their intelligential curiosity. Every theme is designed to cover new areas and weave the science knowledge and skills throughout. At least one theme per year group will be science based. For example, topics such as, ‘Walk on the Wildside’ (Year 2), ‘A Space Odyssey’ (Year 5) and ‘Blue Planet’ (Year 6) are more science based however, other subject domains are still weaved through them to create a stimulating topic.
We aim to make science as hands on and practical as possible, always promoting curiosity. Investigations and experiments are used to teach the key science skills and knowledge hand in hand. Science promotes exploring and lessons contain many explorative elements. We promote key investigative skills and focus on using 7 key enquiry skills that develop from EYFS to Year 6. These skills enable Tynings scientist to lead and design comparative and investigative experiments to answer their own questions they may have about their world.
The 7 key enquiry skills:
Within science we also promote key scientific discussion using correct vocabulary. Every year group has key words displayed and sentence stems on display to help the children discuss their scientific explanations. We have also created a vocabulary progression that highlights the key vocabulary the children in each year group should be using.
Exemplar work:
Science at the Tynings is a mix of practical investigation and recording in books. We promote the teaching of theory and skills interchangeably.
EYFS and Year 1:
EYFS and Year 1 have been exploring chemical changes watching kernels turn into popcorn.
They've also been investigating different ways to dissolve ice.
Some magic potion making using bicarbonate of soda, vinegar and food colouring.
Year 2:
Year 2 have been exploring everyday materials, we have explored the most suitable materials for making a parachute. We also explored how different materials can be maniuplated!
We researched about Scottish inventor Charles Macintosh and his inventions of the first waterproof fabric by waterproofing our own fabric!
Year 3
Year 3 have been learning all about fossils and rocks. Here they have set up an investgation to explore the composition of soil.
Year 4:
Year 5:
Year 5 have been exploring lifecycles of plants and animals and have drawn some lovely diagrams to show their learning.
Year 6:
Year 6 have been exploring the circulatory system and made thier very own blood using different ingreidents to represent the plasma and different cells.
Science displays:
Every classroom will have a ‘Topic Board’ where key vocabulary, scientists and learning are presented on here to help scaffold the children’s learning. This is updated throughout the topic to show the learning journey the children have been on.
Assessment in Science:
At the start of every topic children and teachers complete a title page together. This allows teachers to elicit what the children understand and plan accordingly. It also provides the children with a space to share what questions they’d like to answer in the topic. At the end of the topic the children then have a space to record what they have learnt. The road maps below provide an overview of the key topics and skills each year group covers to ensure progression within science.
Science Week 2020:
Every year we take a week out of our normal topic lessons to explore the theme of British Science Week. This year the theme is ‘Innovating for the Future’ so stay tuned for updates.
Home learning:
Every term a new science challenge is set for the children to complete, this focuses on a different area of science every term to capture the interests of many, see below for more details.
Term 2- Santa’s Sleigh Challenge.
Calling all Tynings’ scientists and engineers Santa needs your help. Santa is trying to reduce his carbon footprint; can you help him design an eco-friendly sleigh? More details below.
Useful websites to support science at home:
https://explorify.wellcome.ac.uk/
https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z6svr82
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z2pfb9q
https://www.nasa.gov/kidsclub/index.html
The Science Team at The Tynings School consists of Kieran Mead and Louise English. The governor with responsibility for Science is Jessica Horner. Please do not hesitate to contact with any questions you have regarding Science and The Tynings School.