Science
At Willow Tree, we seek to encourage children to be excited and curious about the wonder of the natural world around them. Our young scientists will acquire life-long enquiry science skills, in order to explore and understand the world they live in, developing knowledge of the disciplines of biology, physics and chemistry. Throughout the programmes of study, children will acquire and develop the key knowledge for each unit as well as the application of scientific skills.
Working scientifically skills are built on progressively as children move through school so that they are able to ask questions, use equipment, conduct investigations, build arguments and explain concepts with confidence. They will also develop a sense of wonder and understanding of the vital role that major scientific ideas and scientists have played in society; to see the relevance of science in their own lives and imagine future science related careers based upon it.
What are our aims?
Children will be able to:
- ask and answer scientific questions;
- plan and carry out scientific investigations, using equipment (including computers) correctly and know the different skills involved in working scientifically;
- know and understand the life processes of living things;
- know and understand the physical processes of materials, electricity, light, sound, and natural forces;
- know about the nature of the solar system, including the earth;
- evaluate evidence and present their conclusions clearly and accurately.
How is Science taught?
We use a variety of teaching and learning styles in science lessons. Our principal aim is to develop children’s knowledge, skills, and understanding. Sometimes we do this through whole-class teaching, while at other times we engage the children in an enquiry-based research activity.
We encourage the children to ask, as well as answer, scientific questions. They may use ICT in science lessons, take part in role-play and discussions, and present reports to the rest of the class.
Working Scientifically skills are embedded into science blocks to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the children’s time at school. As much as possible, children will be given opportunity to develop their scientific skills through practical investigations and analysis of the results.
Children will learn and practise fair test experiments, classification, identification, observation (observation over time), pattern seeking and will also have chance to free exploration of their ideas and time to talk about them. Our scientific teaching allows children to recap prior learning, consolidate knowledge and link it to new learning.
Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills and assess pupils regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning, so that all pupils achieve well.