Scientific language can sometimes inhibit pupils’ understanding, but by allowing pupils to act out scientific ideas, they can begin to grasp them more easily. I use this idea to help pupils to understand how the body fights disease.
Pupils work in groups to develop a short play to demonstrate this activity. They engage in discussion and become more confident in using key vocabulary. They correct each other, clarify each other’s concerns and ask for help as necessary. I then encourage pupils to assess one another by watching short performances. They assess them on their scientific content as well as the performance itself.
Allowing pupils to visualise this idea gets them learning and also enables a greater range of learners to access scientific ideas and understand vocabulary more easily
Rebecca Smith teaches at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls in Cheshire.
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