Miss Katie Booth
Science Subject Leader
Why do we teach Science?
Children's innate curiosity and inquisitiveness make them natural scientists. Children need guidance and structure to turn their natural curiosity and activity into something more scientific. They need to practice science—to engage in rich scientific enquiry. Science encourages and teaches children how to discover and wonder about everything in the world around them.
How do we teach Science?
At Telford Infant School we provide a stimulating and experiential science curriculum that nurtures children’s natural curiosity. The exciting, practical experiences that we provide will encourage exploration, investigation, ideas and questioning. We place high importance on providing opportunities for oracy in science lessons and we encourage the children to ask questions and talk about their learning. Our enquiry-based curriculum draws from our local environment and wherever possible science learning takes place outdoors. We respond to exciting scientific events around the world. By the end of KS1 we will ensure continually evolving knowledge, vocabulary and bank of science skills which will equip children for an ever-changing world. Every classroom has a science investigation area where enquiry skills can be practised and questions can be investigated.
Every year we have a whole school science week. During this week children have lots of different scientific experiences related to a topic, including visitors, learning visits and exciting experiences in the classroom. We hope to inspire our children to be the scientists of the future and have a life long love of and passion for science!
How your child will make progress in science throughout their time at Telford Infant School
Our exciting science curriculum shows clear progression throughout the school.
Reception
Science in Reception is covered in the 'Understanding the World' area of the EYFS Curriculum. It is introduced through activities such as carving and investigating pumpkins and observing the life cycles of tadpoles and butterflies first hand. This encourages the children to use their exploring, questioning and observing science skills.
KS1
In years 1 and 2 children have weekly science lessons that take place in the morning. They will learn key concepts and skills from the National Curriculum and will also learn about about key scientists from diverse backgrounds. The children will learn about one science skill each half term and will have plenty of opportunity to put this into practice. The knowledge and skills that they acquire will help them to plan and carry out their own investigations.
NATIONAL CURRICULUM
Year 1
Plants
Pupils should be taught to:
- identify and name a variety of common wild and garden plants, including deciduous and evergreen trees
- identify and describe the basic structure of a variety of common flowering plants, including trees
Animals, including humans
Pupils should be taught to:
- identify and name a variety of common animals including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals
- identify and name a variety of common animals that are carnivores, herbivores and omnivores
- describe and compare the structure of a variety of common animals (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals including pets)
- identify, name, draw and label the basic parts of the human body and say which part of the body is associated with each sense
Everyday materials
Pupils should be taught to:
- distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made
- identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, water, and rock
- describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials
- compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties
Seasonal Changes
Pupils should be taught to:
- observe changes across the 4 seasons
- observe and describe weather associated with the seasons and how day length varies
Year 2
Living things
Pupils should be taught to:
- explore and compare the differences between things that are living, dead, and things that have never been alive
- identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other
- identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including microhabitats
- describe how animals obtain their food from plants and other animals, using the idea of a simple food chain, and identify and name different sources of food
Plants
Pupils should be taught to:
- observe and describe how seeds and bulbs grow into mature plants
- find out and describe how plants need water, light and a suitable temperature to grow and stay healthy
Animals including humans
Pupils should be taught to:
- notice that animals, including humans, have offspring which grow into adults
- find out about and describe the basic needs of animals, including humans, for survival (water, food and air)
- describe the importance for humans of exercise, eating the right amounts of different types of food, and hygiene
Uses of everyday materials
Pupils should be taught to:
- identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses
- find out how the shapes of solid objects made from some materials can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching
SCIENCE AT TELFORD INFANT SCHOOL
SCIENCE WEEK 2023
This year, our theme for Science Week was 'birds'. During this week the children had lots of exciting science experiences including:
* Taking part in the RSPB Big Schools' Birdwatch 2023
* Making bird feeders and taking them into our Wishing Wood
* A visit from some birds of prey
* A special assembly where real scientists came to talk to us
* Working with the Science Ambassadors from the Junior School
* Lots of science activities happening ALL WEEK in our classrooms
"I enjoyed making my garden birds top trumps cards. I learnt about how many eggs birds lay and their wingspan. I enjoyed playing with them." Joshua
"My favourite thing was doing the Big Birdwatch. I enjoyed spotting all the birds. I know lots of garden birds now." Scarlett
"My favourite bit was when the birds of prey came in and my favourite bird was Rocco. I learnt that the white feathers on the back of his head look like eyes so that predators think they are looking at them but they aren't." Amelie
