It’s so easy a child can do it. Pauline Hannigan and Stephanie Hockley demonstrate their effective science resource.During our Advanced Skills Teacher outreach work in Cornish primary schools, we are often asked for help with investigative science. We decided to produce a simple, three-part resource for SC1 scientific inquiry, the national curriculum’s first attainment target linking planning, recording and assessment.
A series of simple, recognisable icons is used throughout the resource package, indicating the area of SC1 being addressed. These were designed by a Year 6 group to help a Year 1 class with investigative work.
They include a question mark, representing the topic for investigation; a tool box, indicating the equipment to be used, and scales, to represent a fair test.
We have designed a simple planning grid for each year group. The skills to be taught within each strand of SC1 are shown and teachers can use these grids during medium-term planning. By focusing on one strand during each topic or half-term, all strands are covered twice during a year and it is easy to check there has been full coverage of all skills.
We have also produced a series of simple recording sheets for classroom use. These show progression through key stages 1 and 2. There is a flash version for use on an interactive whiteboard, which is useful for recording “whole class” ideas and discussions.
For recording assessment there is an Excel grid using a traffic light system with a sheet for every attainment target. There is also a selection of child-speak statements for self-assessment. The icons link all parts of the material to make the package user-friendly for both children and teachers
Pauline Hannigan is an Advanced Skills Teacher at Nancledra Primary in Penzance. Stephanie Hockley is an Advanced Skills Teacher at St Stephen’s Churchtown Community Primary in St Stephen, Cornwall
Resources
Key stage 1
Book Making a Difference: Reducing Rubbish (Franklin Watts www.wattspub. co.uk, pound;11.99) is part of a series on environmental issues. This book tells you why we should reduce rubbish, what everyone can do to help and has practical ideas on how to sort and re-use rubbish.
Book Swim little Wombat, SWIM! by Charles Fuge (Gullane www.pinwheel.co.uk, pound;4.99) is a great starting point for investigations about floating and sinking.
Web www.sycd.co.ukprimaryenhancing-sciencescience-fairs.htm. This section of the Science Year site is about organising a science fair and includes activity cards ready to print for children.
Key stage 2
Resource Pack Smart Science: Activating Personal Capabilities in Science (www.personalcapabilities. co.uk, pound;66). Resources and lesson plans for 9 to 11-year-olds.
CD Spellbound Science (www.millgatehouse.co.uk, pound;115 for Book 1 or 2 and CD-Rom) contains animated science stories and problems for children to solve by carrying out their own investigations.
Web www.childrens university.manchester. ac.uk. The Children’s University of Manchester provides interactive games on topics such as senses and micro-organisms.
Zoe Crompton is an education consultant and former teacher, running courses at the National Science Learning Centre.
