Science

At Sir John Lillie Primary School, we use a variety of teaching and learning styles in science lessons.

Our principle aim is to develop children’s knowledge, skills and understanding of scientific concepts. This is done through different scientific investigations when possible, as well as by using secondary sources at times. In our Science lessons we use scientific vocabulary and students are encouraged to explain scientific phenomena using specific scientific vocabulary. We have scientific words displayed on our science displays so children can refer back to them if needed.

At Sir John Lillie Primary School, we encourage children to ask their own scientific questions and help them find the answers using a range of ‘Working Scientifically’ skills such as:

Key Stage 1

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

Lower Key Stage 2

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 processes
using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their finding

Upper Key Stage 2

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 a 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

We help students record their findings in a range of ways such as pictures, graphs, tables, diagrams, etc. and teach them how to interpret their results.

If you come to our classrooms, you will see our scientific work displayed on ‘Science Walls’ or in our books.

In our school we try to use our outside grounds as well as our local area on a regular basis to carry out hands-on science lessons.