Science Curriculum

Primary science encompasses physical, chemical and biological aspects of our world, as well as the ability to work scientifically and investigate different concepts. Science lessons challenge pupils’ beliefs and understanding, enabling them to confidently question and discuss the elements involved in the science curriculum and where appropriate carry out their own investigations.

 

Science is taught through units based on the national curriculum and where able, cross-curricular links are made. The curriculum intent in the Science Policy, which shows the progression of knowledge and sequence of learning across KS2. Progression throughout primary school is enabled through year groups being aware of, and building on, knowledge taught in previous years. Teachers are confident in ensuring children have a solid basis in their scientific understanding and practical skills.

 

Key concepts of the scientific units are revisited throughout each year to ensure knowledge is secure in the pupils’ long term memories so future year groups can build on embedded concepts.

Illustration of rocks, solar system, magnet and seedling

Primary science encompasses physical, chemical and biological aspects of our world, as well as the ability to work scientifically and investigate different concepts. Science lessons challenge pupils’ beliefs and understanding, enabling them to confidently question and discuss the elements involved in the science curriculum and where appropriate carry out their own investigations.

Science is taught through units based on the national curriculum and where able, cross-curricular links are made. The curriculum intent in the Science Policy, which shows the progression of knowledge and sequence of learning across KS2. Progression throughout primary school is enabled through year groups being aware of, and building on, knowledge taught in previous years. Teachers are confident in ensuring children have a solid basis in their scientific understanding and practical skills.

Key concepts of the scientific units are revisited throughout each year to ensure knowledge is secure in the pupils’ long term memories so future year groups can build on embedded concepts.

Working Scientifically

Science planning an enquiry

Planning an Enquiry

Science observing closely

Observing Closely

Science taking measurements

Taking Measurements

Science making predictions

Making Predictions

Science interpreting results

Interpreting Results

Science drawing conclusions

Drawing Conclusions

History Questions

Asking Scientific Questions

Science gathering recording results

Gathering and Recording Results

Science presenting results

Presenting Results

Science evaluating enquiry

Evaluating an Enquiry

Scientific Enquiry

Science classifying grouping

Identifying, Classifying and Grouping

Science comparative and fair testing

Comparative and Fair Testing

Science observing over time

Observing Over Time

Science patternseeking

Pattern Seeking

Science problemsolving

Problem Solving

Science research

Research

Year 3

Week 1

Outcome

  • To recognise  the features of living organisms (MRS GREN)
  • To classify living and non-living things

Working Scientifically

  • To record results in writing
  • To present results in a table

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Identifying, classifying and grouping

Misconceptions

  • Plants don’t eat food so they’re not living
  • Excretion is just ‘pooing or peeing’
  • Respiration is breathing
  • Plants don’t eat food so they’re not a living thing
  • Trees are not plants
  • Once living things e.g. wood is still alive

Revision

  • To identify  a range of materials
  • To classify different materials as natural or man-made

Vocabulary

  • Feature
  • Life process
  • Living
  • Non-living
  • MRSGREN
  • Classify
  • Table

Week 2

Outcome

  • To classify the skeletons of various animals
  • To recognise the ways joints allow movement of the body

Working Scientifically

  • To observe closely
  • To present results in words and a labelled diagram

Scientific Enquiry

  • Reasearch
  • Identifying, classifying and grouping

Misconceptions

  • All bones are solid and not alive and are unchanging
  • Humans have fewer bones as they age
  • The skeleton’s purpose is only for movement
  • The skeleton holds us up on its own
  • All skeletons look the same
  • Teeth are not part of the skeleton
  • Snakes and worms do not have skeletons

Revision

  • To know the materials developed by John Dunlop, McAdam, Charles Macintosh
  • To justify which material would be best to build a bridge

Vocabulary

  • Vertebrate
  • Backbone
  • Endoskeleton
  • Exoskeleton
  • Hydro skeleton
  • Joint
  • Bones
  • Hinge
  • Gliding
  • Ball and socket

Week 3

Outcome

  • To identify how muscles work
  • To explain how muscles provide support and protection

Working Scientifically

  • To observe changes over time
  • To record results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Pattern seeking

Misconceptions

  • Muscles are not attached to bones
  • Muscles push bones
  • Muscles do not work in pairs
  • Muscles do not move unless we decide to move them
  • The heart is not a muscle
  • Breathing does not involve muscles

Revision

  • To compare the uses of different materials to cross a river
  • To compare the uses of different materials

Vocabulary

  • Muscles
  • Pairs
  • Bicep
  • Triceps
  • Contract
  • Relax
  • Skeleton
  • Movement
  • Support
  • Protect
  • Voluntary
  • Involuntary

Week 4

Outcome

  • To compare the diets of different animals
  • To identify the 7 nutrients necessary for human health

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in a Venn diagram
  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Identifying, classifying, grouping

Misconceptions

  • All animals can eat the same things
  • Carnivores only eat meat
  • Herbivores only eat grass
  • All digestive systems are the same
  • All foods contain all nutrients

Revision

  • To justify which material would be best to make a raincoat
  • To discuss reasons behind why monetary notes changed to plastic

Vocabulary

  • Herbivore
  • Omnivore
  • Carnivore
  • Compare
  • Diet
  • Adapted
  • Key
  • Nutrients
  • Nutrition
  • Diet
  • Essential
  • Source

Week 5

Outcome

  • To explore the role of fat and carbohydrates in our diet
  • To explore the role of protein in our diet

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing
  • To present results in writing and a diagram

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • All fats are bad
  • All carbohydrates are bad
  • Food is a nutrient
  • Named foods e.g. pasta is a nutrient
  • Difficulty understanding that a food contains a range of nutrients
  • Difficulty understanding that as a “good source “ of a nutrient, a food can contain other nutrients too

Revision

  • To discuss how you would test whether a material is waterproof or not
  • To discuss how you would test whether a material is magnetic or not

Vocabulary

  • Protein
  • Fats
  • Carbohydrates
  • Nutrition
  • Source
  • Function
  • Role
  • Growth
  • Repair
  • Building blocks

Week 6

Outcome

  • To explore the role of vitamins, mineral in our diet
  • To explore the role of water and fibre in our diet

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing
  • To make a prediction

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Vitamins and minerals are not very important and only come from supplements
  • Water is not a nutrient
  • Water is a source of energy as it is often has a reviving effect after exercise

Revision

  • To categorise different materials according to whether they are opaque, translucent or transparent
  • To list different materials present in the classroom and justify why they are appropriate for their use

Vocabulary

  • Vitamins
  • Minerals
  • Deficiency
  • Malnutrition
  • Fibre
  • Intestines
  • Microorganisms
  • Hydrate
  • Dehydrated

Week 7

Outcome

  • To explore the effects of hidden sugars
  • Assessmemt

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing
  • Assessment

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Assessment

Misconceptions

  • Savoury foods do not contain sugar

Revision

  • To name and group different materials that can be recycled

Vocabulary

  • Hidden sugars
  • Energy
  • Diabetes
  • Tooth decay
  • Obesity

Week 1

Outcome

  • To describe what a force is
  • To discuss Newton’s laws of Motion

Working Scientifically

  • To classify
  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Gravity pulls things towards the centre of the Earth’s surface

Revision

  • To ask simple scientific questions
  • To explain how to measure height

Vocabulary

  • Push/pull
  • Contact/non-contact force
  • Gravity
  • Magnetism
  • Newton law
  • Motion
  • Action
  • Reaction
  • Force

Week 2

Outcome

  • To investigate Newton’s laws of motion
  • To identify materials that will be attracted to magnets

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing and labelled diagrams
  • To observe closely

Scientific Enquiry

  • Pattern seeking
  • Group and classify

Misconceptions

  • There is no relationship between gravity and weight
  • All metals are magnetic

Revision

  • To discuss how to measure distance travelled
  • To discuss how to measure temperature

Vocabulary

  • Newton law
  • Motion
  • Action
  • Reaction
  • Force
  • Attract
  • Repel
  • Magnetic
  • Force field
  • Non-contact force

Week 3

Outcome

  • To show that magnets have two poles
  • To define a magnetic field

Working Scientifically

  • To observe closely
  • To plan an enquiry

Scientific Enquiry

  • Observe closely
  • Research

Misconceptions

  • The magnetic force is distributed equally around the magnet length
  • There is no magnetic force in the middle of the magnet
  • There is no direction in the magnetic force

Revision

  • To discuss what a fair test is
  • To discuss what a prediction is

Vocabulary

  • Poles
  • North
  • South
  • Magnetic force
  • Field
  • Strength
  • Range
  • Stronger
  • Weaker
  • Force lines
  • Direction

Week 4

Outcome

  • To examine the range of a magnetic field
  • To discuss the relationship between magnetic field and magnetic force

Working Scientifically

  • To write a conclusion
  • To present key findings in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Observe closely
  • Pattern seeking

Misconceptions

  • The bigger the magnet the stronger it is

Revision

  • To discuss what a hypothesis is
  • To recall what an observation in science involves

Vocabulary

  • Fair test
  • Examine
  • Independent
  • Dependent
  • Controlled
  • Relationship
  • Attraction
  • Repulsion
  • Distance
  • Size

Week 5

Outcome

  • To identify how forces affect the movement of objects
  • To compare how objects move on different surfaces

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in words and a scientific diagram
  • To plan an enquiry

Scientific Enquiry

  • Pattern Seeking
  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • Objects that are not moving do not have any forces acting on them

Revision

  • To discuss what accurate measurements are and why they are important
  • To ways to record results

Vocabulary

  • Magnetic force
  • Friction force
  • Contact
  • Opposite
  • Over come
  • Distance
  • Fair test
  • Variable

Week 6

Outcome

  • To summarise how different surfaces affect magnets
  • To explain how magnets are used in real life

Working Scientifically

  • To write a conclusion
  • To present key findings in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Comparative and fair testing
  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Objects will move in the same way regardless of the surface they are on

Revision

  • To discuss what results can tell us
  • To discuss the features of a good conclusion

Vocabulary

  • Mass
  • Surface
  • Reduce
  • Increase
  • Opposing
  • Attraction
  • Repulsion
  • Maglev
  • Hover
  • Electromagnet

Week 7

Outcome

  • To assess knowledge and understanding of forces and magnets

Misconceptions

  • To address misconceptions from forces and magnets assessment

Revision

  • To distinguish between variables in an experiment

Week 1

Outcome

  • To explain how igneous rocks are formed
  • To explain how sedimentary rocks are formed

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in words and a labelled diagram
  • To present results in a table

Scientific Enquiry

  • Identifying, classifying and grouping
  • Research

Misconceptions

  • All rocks are the same
  • Rocks are man-made
  • Rocks form quickly and stay the same forever
  • Rocks do not change over time

Revision

  • Recap the season and their months
  • To recap the signs of autumn

Vocabulary

  • Igneous
  • Molten
  • Solidify
  • Intrusive
  • Extrusive
  • Weathering
  • Erosion
  • Deposition
  • Cementation
  • Compaction

Week 2

Outcome

  • To explain how sedimentary rocks are formed
  • To describe how metamorphic rocks are formed

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in a table
  • To observe carefully

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Rock-like, man-made substances such as concrete or brick are rocks
  • Materials which have been polished or shaped for use, such as granite worktop are no longer rocks because they are not ‘natural’

Revision

  • Recap the signs of winter
  • To recap the signs of spring

Vocabulary

  • Weathering
  • Erosion
  • Deposition
  • Cementation
  • Compaction
  • Metamorphism
  • Heat
  • Pressure
  • Contact
  • Regional

Week 3

Outcome

  • To compare and classify different types of rocks
  • To illustrate how fossils are formed

Working Scientifically

  • To observe carefully
  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Identifying, classifying and grouping
  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Bones are fossils
  • A fossil is an actual piece of the extinct animal or plant

Revision

  • Recap the signs of summer
  • To recap the types of weather associated with each season

Vocabulary

  • Observe
  • Feature
  • Compare
  • Identify
  • Classify
  • Fossilisation
  • Fossil
  • Minerals
  • Replace
  • Uplift

Week 4

Outcome

  • To examine the properties of different rocks
  • To identify materials that are permeable

Working Scientifically

  • To gather and record results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Pattern seeking
  • Identifying, classifying and grouping

Misconceptions

  • Rocks are all hard in nature

Revision

  • To recap what happens to the temperature and day length in summer and winter
  • To recap how animals react to changes in the seasons

Vocabulary

  • Property
  • Characteristic differentiate
  • Rate
  • Mohs scale
  • Permeable
  • Impermeable
  • Permeability

Week 5

Outcome

  • To illustrate how the permeability of rocks differs
  • To evaluate the relationship between rock type and permeability

Working Scientifically

  • To present results using a scientific diagram
  • Write a conclusion based on evidence

Scientific Enquiry

  • Comparative and fair testing
  • Pattern seeking

Revision

  • To recap how plants react to changes in the seasons
  • To discuss the weather symbols

Vocabulary

  • Bubbling
  • Interpret
  • Variable
  • Pattern
  • Exception
  • Interpret
  • Conclude
  • Conclusion
  • Hypothesis
  • Prediction

Week 6

Outcome

  • To analyse the different components of soil
  • To assess knowledge and understanding of rocks

Working Scientifically

  • To present results using words and a scientific diagram
  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Identifying, classifying and grouping

Misconceptions

  • Soil and compost is the same thing
  • All soil is the same

Revision

  • To discuss the role of a meteorologist

Vocabulary

  • Soil
  • Analyse
  • Loam
  • Component
  • Particles

Week 1

Outcome

  • To identify light sources
  • To differentiate between artificial and natural light sources

Working Scientifically

  • Gather and record results
  • Present results in words

Scientific Enquiry

  • Identifying, grouping and classifying
  • Research

Misconceptions

  • The moon and reflective surfaces are light sources
  • Light only exists in bright places
  • Light travels around corners
  • Eyes produce light
  • Light spreads and zig zags rather than travels in straight lines

Revision

  • To recall the basic needs for animal survival, including humans (water, food and air)
  • To explain what is meant by good nutrition

Vocabulary

  • Natural
  • Light source
  • Man-made
  • Sort
  • Group
  • Reflect
  • Emit
  • Artificial
  • Produce
  • Energy

Week 2

Outcome

  • To understand that light travels in straight lines
  • To recognise that light is reflected from all surfaces

Working Scientifically

  • Evaluate an enquiry
  • Presenting results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Pattern seeking
  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • All objects reflect light, not just shiny objects
  • If an object did not reflect light, then we would not be able to see it
  • Whenever we can see an object, there must be some light
  • In true/complete darkness we would not be able to see a single thing (no matter what the colour or composition of the object)
  • Eyes produce light or light comes from eyes

Revision

  • To recall  key muscles in our bodies
  • To describe the role of key muscles in our bodies

Vocabulary

  • Evaluate
  • Photon
  • Travel
  • Wave
  • Ray
  • Purpose
  • Effective
  • Surface
  • Reflect
  • Absorb
  • Absence
  • Darkness

Week 3

Outcome

  • To compare opaque, translucent and transparent materials
  • To explain how shadows are formed

Working Scientifically

  • To observe closely

Scientific Enquiry

  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • Only shiny or metal objects reflect light e.g. wood, plastic fabric do not reflect light
  • Mirrors or shiny objects give off light
  • Shadows are objects

Revision

  • To recall  key bones in our bodies
  • To describe the role of key bones in our bodies

Vocabulary

  • Opaque
  • Translucent
  • Transparent
  • Opacity
  • Unchanged
  • Shadow
  • Opaque
  • Translucent
  • Transparent
  • Opacity

Week 4

Outcome

  • To investigate how an object’s distance from a light source affects the size of its shadow
  • To summarise how and why shadows change in size throughout the day

Working Scientifically

  • To interpret results
  • To draw conclusions

Scientific Enquiry

  • Pattern seeking

Misconceptions

  • A bigger object always makes a bigger shadow, regardless of distance
  • The further away an object is from the light source, the larger the shadow become
  • The Sun moves across the sky and causes shadows to move
  • Shadows only fall in one direction (e.g. always behind the object)
  • Shadows only change size, not direction

Revision

  • To recap how igneous rocks are formed
  • To recap how sedimentary rocks are formed

Vocabulary

  • Accurate
  • Procedure
  • Measure
  • Height
  • Conclude
  • Earth
  • Sun
  • Angle
  • Horizon
  • Position

Week 5

Outcome

  • To explain why the sun can be dangerous
  • To assess knowledge and understanding of light

Working Scientifically

  • Present results in words
  • Assessment

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Assessment

Misconceptions

  • The Sun is only dangerous when it’s really hot
  • You only need sunscreen when sunbathing or at the beach
  • The Sun’s energy is not dangerous
  • All sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun
  • Sunburn comes from the heat of the Sun

Revision

  • To recap how metamorphic rocks are formed

Vocabulary

  • Rays
  • Ultra violet
  • Protect

Week 1

Outcome

  • Name the parts of a flowering plant
  • To describe the function of the key parts of a flowering plant

Working Scientifically

  • Present results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • All parts of a plant absorb sunlight

Revision

  • To recap plant knowledge

Vocabulary

  • Identify
  • Function
  • Purpose
  • Ferns
  • Mosses
  • Conifer

Week 2

Outcome

  • To describe the function of the key parts of a flowering plant
  • To understand what a plant needs for life and growth

Working Scientifically

  • Present results
  • Present  results in a table

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Leaves absorb rainwater
  • Flowers are just for decoration and colour
  • All plants need soil to grow
  • Plants get food from the soil
  • Plants don’t need light to grow
  • Plants only need oxygen like animals to survive and grow
  • A plant could survive without roots

Revision

  • To recap changes that occur in animals from young to adulthood
  • To recap the features of living organisms – MRSGREN

Vocabulary

  • Anchor
  • Absorb
  • Transport
  • Support
  • Photosynthesis
  • Reproduction
  • Pollination
  • Sunlight
  • Water
  • Air
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Growth

Week 3

Outcome

  • To consider how different factors affect the growth of plants
  • To compare plants that need varying amounts of water to survive

Working Scientifically

  • To plan an enquiry
  • Present results in a Venn diagram

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • All plants need the same amount of water, sunlight and soil
  • All plants need the same amounts of nutrients in their environment to grow well
  • Plants do not adapt to their environment

Revision

  • To discuss how humans change during their lives
  • To consider how certain animals are suited to different environments

Vocabulary

  • Requirements
  • Factor
  • Vary
  • Variable
  • Sunlight
  • Water
  • Adapt
  • Adaptation
  • Survive
  • Climate
  • Arid

Week 4

Outcome

  • To understand how plants absorb water and nutrients
  • To examine how plants use photosynthesis to make food

Working Scientifically

  • Present results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • Water enters plants via leaves
  • Water only moves downwards in a plant
  • Plants can suck up water with their roots like we use a straw
  • Plants get food from soil
  • Plants need soil to make food
  • Plants need oxygen for photosynthesis

 Revision

  • To recap how humans get their nutrition

Vocabulary

  • Absorption
  • Xylem
  • Rate
  • Evaporation
  • Transpiration
  • Photosynthesis
  • Produce
  • Glucose
  • Oxygen
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Energy

Week 5

Outcomes

  • To label the stages of a flowering plant’s lifecycle
  • To compare and describe the effect of different factors on plant growth

Working Scientifically

  • Interpret results
  • To present results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • All plants need the same amounts of nutrients in their environment to grow well

Vocabulary

  • Pollination
  • Seed formation
  • Pollen
  • Seed dispersal
  • Fertilisation
  • Control
  • Variable
  • Independent variable
  • Dependent variable
  • Hypothesis
  • Prediction

Week 6

Outcomes

  • To draw a conclusion about the effect of different factors on plant growth

Working Scientifically

  • To form a conclusion

Scientific Enquiry

  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • We believe a comparative test will always give a clear answer
  • We think one comparative test is enough to prove our hypothesis
  • We think our test is fair because we only changed one thing
  • We think the results prove a cause-and-effect relationship instead of a possible relationship

Week 7

Outcomes

  • To assess knowledge and understanding of plants

Week 1

Outcome

  • To research the impact of litter on the local environment
  • To discuss the impact of litter on the local environment

Working Scientifically

  • To ask scientific questions
  • To draw a conclusion

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Litter disappears on its own
  • Small bits of rubbish don’t matter
  • Biodegradable means harmless and it’s acceptable to litter these items
  • Rubbish in bins gets recycled

Revision

  • To explain the importance of nutrition for humans
  • To discuss how to keep ourselves healthy and well

Vocabulary

  • Impact
  • Environment
  • Litter
  • Pollution
  • Decompose
  • Recyclable

Week 2

Outcome

  • To discuss the impact of litter on the local environment, businesses and people
  • To investigate and classify the type of litter in the local area

Working Scientifically

  • To gather and record results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Identifying, classifying and grouping

Misconceptions

  • The environment only means nature or the countryside
  • Pollution only comes from factories or cars
  • Litter does not affect your mental health

Revision

  • To assess materials that will be attracted to magnets
  • To explain how magnets have two poles

Vocabulary

  • Impact
  • Attract
  • Pest
  • Mental health
  • Profit anti-social crime
  • Crime

Week 3

Outcome

  • To investigate and classify the type of litter in the local area
  • To present and analyse the data from the local area litter pick

Working Scientifically

  • To interpret results
  • To present results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Identifying, classifying and grouping

Misconceptions

  • A small sample shows exactly what the whole thing is like
  • Children don’t realise multiple samples give more reliable results
  • Children think sampling and surveying are the same thing

Revision

  • To examine how magnets are used in real life
  • To compare how objects move on different surfaces

Vocabulary

  • Waste
  • Survey
  • Sample
  • Classify
  • Impact
  • Data
  • Findings
  • Present
  • Graph
  • Bar chart

Week 4

Outcome

  • To recall knowledge of animals including humans
  • To recall our knowledge of rocks

Revision

  • To identify common garden plants, including trees
  • To identify common wild plants, including trees

Week 5

Outcome

  • To recall our knowledge of forces
  • To recall our knowledge of magnets

Revision

  • To describe the functions of a flowering plants
  • To evaluate my understanding of functions of a plant

Week 6

Outcome

  • To recall our knowledge of light
  • To recall our knowledge of plants

Revision

  • To recall different materials and their properties
  • To recall Newton’s laws of Motion

Week 7

Outcome

  • To recall our knowledge of the various working scientifically skills and scientific enquiries

Animals Including Humans

Children begin science in Year 3 with animals including humans, as they build on their understanding of the basic needs of animals and the importance of exercise and diet for humans, as explored in Year 2. In Year 3, children will develop their understanding of the main body parts, along with being introduced to nutrition.

Forces and magnets

Forces and magnets is an investigation rich topic which excites and enthuses the children in Year 3. The primary science curriculum in Year 3 broadens children’s scientific view of the world around them by exploring, asking and answering questions, testing and comparing forces.

Rocks and soil

Rocks in science are taught alongside the geography topic of Volcanoes, allowing them to make connections between scientific concepts and real life examples. They compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties. Alongside describing in simple terms how fossils are formed when things that have lived are trapped within rock. Children are taught to recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter.

Light

Light is taught nearer the end of the Year as the topic consists of some abstract concepts, which children can better grasp by the end of Year 3. Some lessons within the topic require going outside to demonstrate ideas and it is better to do this in spring, when the weather conditions are better.  Likewise looking at how shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by a solid object is better to do outside when there are better light levels.

Living things and their habitats – plants

Living things are taught at the end of Year 3 when the environmental conditions best enable the children to explore the learning objectives in relation to plants and habitats.  Children identify and describe the functions of different parts of flowering plants and explore the requirements of plants for life and growth.

Environmental science – litter pollution

Year 3 children are taught that Littering causes pollution, a major threat to the environment, and has increasingly become a cause for concern in many countries. They investigate and classify the type of litter in the local area and appraise and generate ways to reduce litter.

Autumn 1

Your Brilliant Bones book cover

Animals including humans

Autumn 2

Forces and Magnets book cover

Forces and magnets

Spring 1

Rocks and Soil book cover

Rocks

Spring 2

Light book cover

Light

Summer 1

Plants book cover

Plants

Summer 2

Environmental science

Littering

Year 4

Week 1

Outcome

  • To classify sounds
  • To explain how sounds are made

Working Scientifically

  • To gather and record results
  • To observe closely

Scientific Enquiry

  • Identifying, classifying and grouping
  • Pattern seeking

Misconceptions

  • Children might confuse volume (how loud or quiet a sound is) with pitch (how high or low a sound is)
  • They may think that a louder sound is always higher in pitch
  • Sound only travels in one direction from the source
  • Particles in a medium are pushed from the vibrating sound source over a long distance and into our ears

Revision

  • To explain why animals need to eat food
  • 5 main food groups

Vocabulary

  • Energy
  • Vibrate
  • Sound
  • Source
  • Sound wave
  • Volume
  • Duration
  • Pitch
  • Medium
  • Transfer
  • Vibration

Week 2

Outcome

  • To examine the features of a sound wave
  • To describe the wave patterns of high and low pitched sounds

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in a labelled diagram

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Pattern seeking

Misconceptions

  • Children think volume is related to pitch

Revision

  • To categorise foods in the different food groups
  • To explain the impact of an unbalanced diet

Vocabulary

  • Trough
  • Crest
  • Distance
  • Amplitude
  • Wave
  • Height
  • High pitch
  • Low pitch
  • Frequency

Week 3

Outcome

  • To investigate the patterns between the pitch of a sound and the length of a string on an instrument
  • To determine which object features produce high or low pitched sounds

Working Scientifically

  • To draw a conclusion
  • To observe closely

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Pattern seeking

Misconceptions

  • Sound is only heard by a listener
  • Sound only travels in one direction from the source

Revision

  • To explain the purpose of a skeleton
  • To identify and name some key bones in the human body

Vocabulary

  • Length
  • Vary
  • Frequency
  • Pitch
  • Features
  • Vibrations
  • Length
  • Wind instrument
  • Air column

Week 4

Outcome

  • To explore wave patterns in loud and quiet sounds
  • To investigate how sounds change over distance

Working Scientifically

  • Making a prediction
  • To present results in a diagram and writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Pattern seeking

Misconceptions

  • High sounds are loud and low sounds are quiet
  • Sound only travels in one direction from the source
  • Sound can’t travel through solids and liquids

Revision

  • To explain how muscles work in pairs
  • To identify key muscles in the human body

Vocabulary

  • Sound
  • Amplitude
  • Predict
  • Volume
  • Decibel
  • Distance
  • Decreases
  • Energy
  • Volume
  • Relationship

Week 5

Outcome

  • To conclude how sounds change over distance
  • To plan an experiment to test the sound insulating properties of various materials

Working Scientifically

  • To draw a conclusion
  • To plan an experiment

Scientific Enquiry

  • Comparative and fair testing

Revision

  • To identify ways muscles provide protection
  • To categorise living and non-living organisms

Vocabulary

  • Graph
  • Prediction
  • Conclusion
  • Relationship
  • Fair test
  • Quantity
  • Equal
  • Variables

Week 6

Outcome

  • To compare the sound insulating properties of various materials
  • To conclude which materials have the best sound insulating properties

Working Scientifically

  • To gather and record results
  • To draw a conclusion

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Comparative and fair testing

Revision

  • To compare humans and other animals based on diets
  • To compare humans and other animals based on skeletons

Vocabulary

  • Sound
  • Insulator
  • Insulation
  • Accurate
  • Measurements
  • Sound waves
  • Conclude
  • Pattern
  • Evaluate

Week 7

Outcomes

  • To explain how we hear sound
  • To assess knowledge and understanding of sound

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in a diagram and writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Comparative and fair testing

Revision

  • Post assessment: To recap and revise key concepts and vocabulary from this half term’s lessons

Week 1

Outcome

  • To recall common electrical appliances
  • To outline the importance of electrical safety

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Revision

  • To compare and group different types of rocks
  • To describe the characteristics of different types of rocks

Vocabulary

  • Common
  • Household
  • Appliance
  • Function
  • Voltage
  • Current
  • Hazard
  • Insulator
  • Fuse

Week 2

Outcome

  • To identify and name the basic components of a circuit
  • To determine how a working circuit is made

Working Scientifically

  • To gather and record results
  • To observe closely

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Pattern seeking

Misconceptions

  • Electricity flows to bulbs not through them
  • Electricity flows out of both ends of a battery
  • Electricity works by coming out of one end of a battery and into a component
  • Larger sized batteries make bulbs brighter
  • A complete circuit uses up electricity
  • Components in a circuit that are closer to the battery get more electricity

Revision

  • To explain how igneous rocks are formed
  • To recall the processes that form sedimentary rocks

Vocabulary

  • Component
  • Wire
  • Battery
  • Cell
  • Current
  • Bulb
  • Series
  • Circuit
  • Complete
  • Motor

Week 3

Outcome

  • To state what a series circuit is
  • To draw a simple series electrical circuit and name its components

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing
  • To present results in a labelled scientific diagram

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Electricity flows to bulbs not through them
  • Electricity flows out of both ends of a battery
  • Electricity works by coming out of one end of a battery and into a component
  • Larger sized batteries make bulbs brighter
  • A complete circuit uses up electricity
  • Components in a circuit that are closer to the battery get more electricity

Revision

  • To summarise how metamorphic rocks are formed
  • To explain what permeable means

Vocabulary

  • Current
  • Conduct
  • Series
  • Circuit
  • Cell
  • Battery
  • Bulb
  • Label
  • Diagram
  • Accurate
  • Symbols
  • Represent

Week 4

Outcome

  • To recognise the role of a switch within a circuit
  • To incorporate a switch into a working circuit

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing
  • To observe closely

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Problem solving

Misconceptions

  • Electricity flows out of both ends of a battery
  • Electricity works by coming out of one end of a battery and into a component
  • A complete circuit uses up electricity

Revision

  • To explain what impermeable means
  • To identify materials that are permeable and impermeable

Vocabulary

  • Role
  • Switch
  • Current
  • Flow
  • Incorporate
  • Control
  • Current

Week 5

Outcomes

  • To distinguish between some common conductors and insulators
  • To predict the impact that conductors and insulators can have on a circuit

Working Scientifically

  • To gather and record results
  • To plan an enquiry

Scientific Enquiry

  • Identifying, grouping and classifying
  • Pattern seeking

Misconceptions

  • Electricity flows to bulbs not through them
  • Electricity flows out of both ends of a battery
  • Electricity works by coming out of one end of a battery and into a component
  • Larger sized batteries make bulbs brighter
  • A complete circuit uses up electricity
  • Components in a circuit that are closer to the battery get more electricity

Revision

  • To use my knowledge of rocks to explain what type of rocks are most permeable
  • To recall what soil is made of

Vocabulary

  • Conduct
  • Insulate
  • Material
  • Impact
  • Complete
  • Conductor
  • Insulator

Week 6

Outcome

  • To demonstrate the impact that conductors and insulators can have on a circuit
  • To evaluate how conductors and insulators can impact a circuit

Working Scientifically

  • To observe closely
  • To evaluate an enquiry

Scientific Enquiry

  • Identifying, grouping and classifying
  • Pattern seeking

Misconceptions

  • Electricity flows to bulbs not through them
  • Electricity flows out of both ends of a battery
  • Electricity works by coming out of one end of a battery and into a component
  • Larger sized batteries make bulbs brighter
  • A complete circuit uses up electricity
  • Components in a circuit that are closer to the battery get more electricity

Revision

  • To compare different types of soil, based on their uses
  • To explain what fossils are

Vocabulary

  • Predict
  • Impact
  • Evaluation

Week 7

Outcomes

  • To research key innovators in the electrical industry (Edison and Delia Derbyshire)
  • To assess knowledge and understanding of electricity

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • To address misconceptions from the assessment

Revision

  • To describe how fossils are formed

Vocabulary

  • Innovator
  • Impact
  • Significant

Week 1

Outcomes

  • To identify different types of teeth
  • To test the role of toothpaste and the impact of liquids on teeth

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in a labelled scientific diagram
  • To plan an enquiry

Scientific Enquiry

  • Identifying, classifying and grouping
  • Observation over time

Revision

  • To demonstrate how light travels in straight lines
  • To recall how shadows are formed

Vocabulary

  • Canine
  • Incisor
  • Molar
  • Enamel
  • Pre-molar
  • Active ingredient
  • Protect
  • Enamel
  • Fluoride
  • Fair test

Week 2

Outcomes

  • To describe the role of toothpaste

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing
  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • When you have a meal, your food goes down one tube and your drink goes down another
  • Food is digested only by the stomach
  • Your stomach is where your belly button is

Revision

  • To explain why shadows change in size

Vocabulary

  • Oesophagus
  • Enzyme
  • Peristalsis
  • Chemical
  • Mechanical
  • Absorption
  • Intestine
  • Liver
  • Pancreas
  • Enzyme
  • Peristalsis
  • Nutrients

Week 3

Outcomes

  • To explore the role of the oesophagus and the stomach in the digestive system
  • To explore the role of the small intestine and liver in the digestive system

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • The food you eat and the liquid you drink all becomes bodily waste

Revision

  • To identify sources of light
  • What is darkness? Can we see if there is true darkness?

Vocabulary

  • Eliminated
  • Undigested
  • Stool
  • Rectum
  • Absorbed
  • Maintain
  • Healthy
  • Bacteria
  • Balance

Week 4

Outcomes

  • To understand how waste is eliminated in the digestive system
  • To discuss ways to maintain a healthy digestive system

Working Scientifically

  • To evaluate an enquiry
  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Pattern seeking
  • Problem solving

Revision

  • To recognise that light is reflected from surfaces
  • To identify reflective materials

Vocabulary

  • Enamel
  • Acid
  • Neutralise
  • Bacteria
  • Plaque
  • pH
  • Absorption
  • Nutrients
  • Observe
  • Results
  • Impact
  • Liquid
  • Conclusion
  • Gums
  • Decay
  • Fluoride

Week 5

Outcomes

  • To identify producers, predators and prey in food chains
  • To examine how changes in the natural world can impact food chains

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Identifying, classifying and grouping
  • Pattern seeking

Misconceptions

  • Arrows in food chains mean eats
  • The death of one part a food chain has no or limited consequences on the rest of a food chain
  • There is always plenty of food for wild animals

Revision

  • To explain why light from the Sun can be dangerous
  • To describe ways to protect our eyes from the Sun

Vocabulary

  • Producer
  • Predator
  • Prey
  • Carnivore
  • Herbivore
  • Food chain
  • Consumed
  • Climate change
  • Habitat destruction
  • Resources
  • Compete

Week 6

Outcomes

  • To assess knowledge and understanding of digestion and teeth

Misconceptions

  • To address misconceptions from digestion assessment

Revision

  • To address misconceptions from the assessment

Week 1

Outcome

  • To describe the different states of matter [solids, liquids and gases]
  • To compare the properties of particles in different states of matter

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing
  • To present results in a labelled scientific diagram

Scientific Enquiry

  • Identifying, classifying and grouping
  • Pattern seeking

Misconceptions

  • Solid is another word for hard or opaque
  • Solids are hard and cannot break or change shape easily
  • Solids are often in one piece
  • Substances made of very small particles (sugar and sand) cannot be solid
  • Particles in liquids are further apart than in solids and they take up more space

Revision

  • To identify different types of plants
  • To identify the parts of a flowering plant

Vocabulary

  • Matter
  • Properties
  • State
  • Solid
  • Liquid
  • Gas
  • Particle
  • Molecule
  • Arrangement
  • Bond movement

Week 2

Outcome

  • To organise materials according to whether they are solids, liquids or gases
  • To explore the effects of melting and freezing on the state of some materials  

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing
  • To observe closely

Scientific Enquiry

  • Identifying, classifying and grouping
  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • All liquids boil at the same temperature
  • Melting, as a change of state, is the same as dissolving
  • Water in different forms (steam, water, ice) are different substances
  • All gases have similarly sized particles, meaning that they are each as heavy as each other

Revision

  • To describe the conditions needed for plant growth
  • To recall the functions of the parts a flowering plants

Vocabulary

  • Density
  • Viscosity
  • Particles
  • Melt
  • Freeze
  • State
  • Heat
  • Cool

Week 3

Outcome

  • To explore the effects of evaporation, condensation and boiling on the state of some materials
  • To discuss the stages in the water cycle

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing
  • To present results using a scientific diagram and writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Pattern seeking
  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Evaporating or boiling water makes it vanish
  • Evaporating is the sun sucking up water
  • Evaporating is when water is absorbed into a surface
  • The changing states of water (in water cycle) are irreversible
  • Clouds are made of water vapour or steam
  • Steam is visible water vapour (only condensing water droplets can be seen)
  • The substance on windows etc is condensation rather than water

Revision

  • To describe the process of photosynthesis
  • To explain how plants use photosynthesis to grow

Vocabulary

  • Evaporate
  • Vapour
  • Condense
  • Precipitation
  • Boiling
  • 6 transpiration
  • Infiltration
  • Evaporation
  • Precipitation

Week 4

Outcome

  • To examine the processes involved in the water cycle
  • To describe the role of evaporation and condensation in the water cycle

Working Scientifically

  • To present results using a scientific diagram
  • To write a conclusion

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Observation over time

Misconceptions

  • Evaportating or boiling water makes it vanish
  • Evaporating is the sun sucking up water
  • Evaporating is when water is absorbed into a surface
  • The changing states of water (in water cycle) are irreversible
  • Clouds are made of water vapour or steam
  • Steam is visible water vapour (only condensing water droplets can be seen)
  • The substance on windows etc is condensation rather than water

Revision

  • To revise how plants absorb water
  • To order the life-cycle of a plant

Vocabulary

  • Evaporate
  • Condense
  • Vapour
  • Precipitation
  • Fresh water
  • Collection

Week 5

Outcome

  • To examine how different states of matter can be mixed
  • To investigate reversible and irreversible changes

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Pattern seeking

Misconceptions

  • Evaportating or boiling water makes it vanish
  • Evaporating is the sun sucking up water
  • Evaporating is when water is absorbed into a surface

Revision

  • To examine how some plants are adapted to survive in adverse conditions
  • To identify methods of seed dispersal

Vocabulary

  • Irreversible change
  • Properties
  • Chemical
  • Mixture

Week 1

Outcome

  • To examine what classification is

Working Scientifically

  • To ask scientific questions

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Animals are only on land living creatures

Revision

  • To explain why forces are widely described as ‘pushes’ or ‘pulls’

Vocabulary

  • Classify
  • Characteristics
  • Groups
  • Sub-groups
  • Mosses
  • Ferns
  • Conifers
  • Flowering plants

Week 2

Outcome

  • To classify plants using a branching key (flowering and non-flowering)
  • To classify invertebrates using a branching key

Working Scientifically

  • To gather and record results

Scientific Enquiry

  • To identify, classify and group

Misconceptions

  • All changes to habitats are bad
  • There is always plenty of food for wild animals
  • The death of one part of a food chain or web has no or limited consequences on the rest of the chain

Revision

  • To define the word magnetic
  • To identify materials that will be attracted to magnets

Vocabulary

  • Habitat
  • Vertebrates
  • Invertebrates
  • Characteristics
  • Sub-groups
  • Adaptation
  • Survival
  • Nature
  • Animal
  • Plant

Week 3

Outcome

  • To create a classification key
  • To determine why a habitat is suitable for a given organism

Working Scientifically

  • To observe carefully
  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Identifying, classifying and grouping

Revision

  • To explain what friction is
  • To classify materials according to their magnetic properties

Vocabulary

  • Feature
  • Identify
  • Yes/no
  • Unique

Week 4

Outcome

  • To retrieve information on how we can help endangered animals
  • To describe the ways in which different animals have adapted to suit their environments

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Pattern Seeking

Misconceptions

  • Animals and plants can adapt to their habitats, however they change
  • All changes to habitats are bad
  • There is always plenty of food for wild animals
  • Animals and plants can adapt to their habitats, however they change

Revision

  • To recall that magnets have two poles
  • To draw accurate force diagrams

Vocabulary

  • Endangered species
  • Impact
  • Habitat
  • Protect
  • Organism
  • Adaptation
  • Survival
  • Nature

Week 5

Outcome

  • To examine the positive impact humans have on the environment and living things
  • To examine the negative impact humans have on the environment and living things

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Animals and plants can adapt to their habitats, however they change
  • All changes to habitats are bad
  • There is always plenty of food for wild animals
  • Animals and plants can adapt to their habitats, however they change

Revision

  • To define magnetic field
  • To summarise the relationship between the magnetic field of an object and distance

Vocabulary

  • Positive
  • Impact
  • Environment
  • Fuel
  • Recycling
  • Deforestation
  • Extinction
  • Pollution
  • Pesticides
  • Global warming

Week 6

Outcome

  • To explain how habitats change throughout the year

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Observations over time

Revision

  • To discuss how magnets are used in real life

Vocabulary

  • Habitat
  • Change
  • Weather
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
  • Resources

Week 7

Outcome

  • To assess knowledge and understanding of classification

Revision

  • To explain what friction is

Week 1

Outcome

  • To explore plant diversity on the Churchfields site
  • To explain why biodiversity matters

Working Scientifically

  • Observing Closely
  • Research

Scientific Enquiry

  • Pattern seeking
  • Research

Revision

  • To draw and accurately label a bar chart
  • To draw and accurately label a line graph

Vocabulary

  • Biodiversity
  • Ecosystem
  • Extinct
  • Species
  • Pollution
  • Climate change
  • Quadrat
  • Sample
  • Survey

Week 2

Outcomes

  • To recall threats to biodiversity
  • To match threats to biodiversity with their solutions

Working Scientifically

  • Research
  • Drawing Conclusions

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Problem solving

Revision

  • To compare the properties of particles in different states of matter
  • To compare and categorise materials according to whether they are solids, liquids or gases

Vocabulary

  • Wardens
  • Poachers
  • Pesticides
  • Restore
  • Wildlife corridor
  • National park

Week 3

Outcomes

  • To debate an issue about how to fight threats to biodiversity
  • To recall our knowledge of digestion

Revision

  • To analyse the water cycle through an experiment
  • To explain the part played by evaporation and condensation in the water cycle

Vocabulary

  • Biodiversity
  • Ecosystem
  • Extinct
  • Species
  • Pollution
  • Climate change
  • Wardens
  • Poachers
  • Pesticides
  • Restore
  • Wildlife corridor
  • National park

Week 4

Outcome

  • To recall our knowledge of electricity

Revision

  • To identify producers predators and prey in food chains

Week 5

Outcome

  • To recall our knowledge of states of matter

Revision

  • To explain how sounds are made

Week 6

Outcome

  • To recall our knowledge of states of matter

Revision

  • To describe how vibrations travel through the ear

Week 7

Outcome

  • To recall our knowledge of sound

Revision

  • To demonstrate how sounds get fainter as the distance increases

Sound

Sound is taught at the start of Year 4 as it is an entirely new topic for the children and therefore enthuses and excites them at the start the academic year. Children are taught to identify how sounds are made, associating some of them with something vibrating. They recognise that vibrations from sounds travel through a medium to the ear. Finding patterns between the pitch of a sound and features of the object that produced it, between the volume of a sound and the strength of the vibrations that produced it and recognising that sounds get fainter as the distance from the sound source increases.

Electricity

Electricity is taught at the beginning of Year 4 and consideration is given to ensuring resources are plentiful and not taught at the same time as electricity in Year 6. Children identify common appliances that run on electricity and construct a simple series electrical circuit, identifying and naming its basic parts. Also children are taught to recognise some common conductors and insulators, and associate metal with being good conductors.

Animals including humans – digestive system

Children are introduced to the digestive system and its parts, along with teeth and their functions and food chains. Animals including humans is taught in the spring, as the topic of digestion contains some challenging, subject-specific vocabulary.

States of matter

States of matter is an entirely new topic for the children and consists of many advanced, abstract concepts, which children are able to better grasp nearer the end of the year. Using their knowledge and understanding of everyday materials, children in Year 4 begin to understand states of matter. Observing solids, liquids and gases and compare the three.

Living things and their habitats

Living things are taught at the end of Year 4 when the environmental conditions best enable the children to explore the learning objectives in relation to animals and their habitats.

Environmental science – biodiversity

Year 4 children learn that biodiversity is essential for the processes that support all life on Earth, including humans. Without a wide range of animals, plants and microorganisms, we cannot have the healthy ecosystems that we rely on to provide us with the air we breathe and the food we eat.

Autumn 1

Sound book cover

Sound

Autumn 2

Electricity book cover

Electricity

Spring 1

Your Growling Guts book cover

Animals including humans

Spring 2

States of Matter book cover

States of matter

Summer 1

Living things and habitats

Summer 2

Sciene vs Animal Extinction book cover

Environmental science

Science versus animal extinction

Year 5

Week 1

Outcome

  • To identify a selection of materials and their physical properties
  • To compare and group materials by their physical properties

Working Scientifically

  • To observe closely
  • To interpret results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Identifying, grouping and classifying
  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • The object and the material are the same thing
  • All objects are made from only one material
  • If two objects look similar, they must be made from the same material
  • All metals are magnetic
  • Soft materials are always weak
  • Flexible means stretchy
  • Hard means strong
  • Bendy materials are always elastic

Vocabulary

  • Material
  • Property
  • Opacity
  • Flexibility
  • Magnetic
  • Artificial
  • Organic
  • Inorganic
  • Interpret
  • Carroll diagram

Week 2

Outcome

  • To discuss ways of separating mixtures
  • To investigate ways of separating mixtures

Working Scientifically

  • To make a prediction
  • To observe closely

Scientific Enquiry

  • Problem solving
  • Observing closely

Misconceptions

  • A mixture is a new material
  • If you cannot see the different parts, it is not a mixture
  • Separating a mixture always gives back completely pure materials
  • Solids dissolved in liquids have vanished and you cannot get them back
  • All solids dissolve in water
  • If a liquid is clear, nothing is dissolved in it
  • Magnets can separate all metals from a mixture
  • Only boiling water evaporates
  • A filter removes anything mixed with water
  • Sieving and filtering are the same thing

Vocabulary

  • Mixture
  • Soluble
  • Insoluble
  • Filtration
  • Evaporation
  • Reversible
  • Separate

Week 3

Outcome

  • To write a conclusion for an experiment
  • To differentiate between reversible and irreversible changes

Working Scientifically

  • Evaluate an experiment
  • Presenting results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Pattern Seeking
  • Identifying, classifying and grouping

Vocabulary

  • Method
  • Successful
  • Unsuccessful
  • Evaporate
  • Dissolved
  • Reversible
  • Irreversible
  • Reactant
  • Product
  • State

Week 4

Outcome

  • To model the concept of saturation
  • To differentiate between reversible and irreversible changes
  • To observe and record a chemical reaction
  • To recognise solubility as a property of a material

Working Scientifically

  • To observe and record a chemical reaction
  • To recognise solubility as a property of a material

Scientific Enquiry

  • Observation over time
  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • Dissolving is the same as melting
  • The water changes the solid into a liquid
  • All powders dissolve in water

Vocabulary

  • Products
  • Irreversible
  • Chemical change
  • Fizzing
  • Substance
  • Soluble
  • Solvent
  • Insoluble
  • Solution
  • Solute

Week 5

Outcome

  • To determine the factors that affect saturation
  • To compare the solubility of different materials
  • To determine the factors that affect saturation

Working Scientifically

  • To observe closely
  • To interpret results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Fair testing
  • Pattern seeking

Misconceptions

  • If a powder moves through a liquid, it has dissolved
  • If the water changes colour, the substance has dissolved
  • If there are no lumps, it has dissolved
  • Stirring for longer can make any substance dissolve
  • The solid at the bottom is dissolved because it is in the water
  • Hot water makes every substance dissolve
  • Cold water cannot dissolve anything
  • Temperature only affects how fast and not how much something can
    dissolve
  • Sugar/salt melts in hot water

Revision

  • To illustrate a simple series electrical circuit
  • To distinguish between common electrical conductor and insulator materials

Vocabulary

  • Compare
  • Dissolve
  • Soluble
  • Completely
  • Partially
  • Saturation
  • Point
  • Saturated
  • Limit
  • Solvent
  • Solute

Week 6

Outcome

  • To examine electrical and thermal conductivity as a property of materials
  • To compare electrical and thermal conductivity in different materials
  • To examine electrical and thermal conductivity as a property of materials

Working Scientifically

  • To make a prediction
  • To plan an enquiry

Scientific Enquiry

  • Observation over time
  • Classifying and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • Only metals can conduct electricity
  • Anything that conducts electricity also conducts heat
  • Insulators stop heat or electricity completely
  • Metal objects are naturally cold (metals are usually the same temperature as the room – they feel colder because they transfer heat
    from your hand more quickly)

Vocabulary

  • Conductor
  • Conductivity
  • Insulator
  • Electrical
  • Thermal
  • Energy
  • Equipment
  • Prediction
  • Dependent
  • Independent
  • Control

Week 7

Outcome

  • Test your skills

Week 1

Outcome

  • To identify the effects of air resistance
  • To examine the relationship between air resistance and speed

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing
  • To ask a scientific question

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • The heavier the object the faster it falls, because it has more gravity acting on it
  • A  parachute pushes the object upwards
  • Balanced forces make an object stop moving
  • If gravity and air resistance are equal, the object floats

Revision

  • To recall the difference between sound and noise
  • To recall how we classify sounds (pitch, volume, duration)

Vocabulary

  • Force
  • Gravity
  • Friction
  • Air resistance
  • Aerodynamic
  • Streamlined
  • Parachute
  • Hypothesis
  • Relationship
  • Density
  • Surface area
  • Speed

Week 2

Outcome

  • To test the relationship between speed and air resistance
  • To explain the relationship between speed and air resistance

Working Scientifically

  • To take precise and accurate measurements
  • To draw a conclusion

Scientific Enquiry

  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • Forces always act in pairs which are equal and opposite
  • A non-moving object has no forces acting on it
  • A moving object has a force which is pushing it forwards and it stops when the pushing force wears out

Revision

  • To recall how sounds are made
  • To recall that sound travels in waves

Vocabulary

  • Measure
  • Average
  • Height
  • Anomaly
  • Vacuum
  • Anomalous
  • Scatter graph
  • Line of best fit
  • Interpret
  • Collide

Week 3

Outcomes

  • To describe the effects of friction
  • To investigate the effects of friction

Working Scientifically

  • To evaluate an enquiry
  • To take precise and accurate measurements

Scientific Enquiry

  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • Smooth surfaces have no friction
  • Objects always travel better on smooth surfaces

Revision

  • To recall how to describe the features of a soundwave
  • To describe what pitch is and the difference between high and low pitch

Vocabulary

  • Surface
  • Projection
  • Ridges
  • Effect
  • Grip
  • Newton meter
  • Newton (N)
  • Measurement
  • Surface
  • Precise

Week 4

Outcomes

  • To summarise the effects of friction
  • To identify the effects of water resistance

Working Scientifically

  • To evaluate an investigation
  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Comparative and fair testing
  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Water resistance only acts underwater
  • Water resistance pulls objects backwards
  • Heavier objects always experience more water resistance

Revision

  • To discuss the features of objects that produce high or low pitched sounds
  • To recall how sound travels through solids, liquids and gases

Vocabulary

  • Evaluate
  • Microscope
  • Textured
  • Reliable
  • Valid
  • Hydrodynamic streamlined
  • Water resistance
  • Surface area

Week 5

Outcomes

  • To summarise the effects of friction
  • To describe how balanced and unbalanced forces impact the movement of objects

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing and a scientific diagram
  • To gather and record results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • The further the object travels, the greater the friction force
  • Forces always act in pairs which are equal and opposite
  • A non-moving object has no forces acting on it

Revision

  • To recall the speed of sound in air, water and steel
  • To recall wave patterns in loud and quiet sounds

Vocabulary

  • Evaluate
  • Microscope
  • Textured
  • Reliable
  • Valid
  • Exerted
  • Balanced
  • Unbalanced
  • Impact

Week 6

Outcomes

  • To recognise that some mechanisms allow a smaller force to have a greater effect
  • To investigate how levers work

Working Scientifically

  • To write a conclusion using evidence
  • To present results using a scientific diagram

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • Levers make objects lighter
  • The longer a lever is, the stronger it is
  • A lever creates extra force

Revision

  • To recall how sound changes over a distance
  • To recall what the doppler effect is

Vocabulary

  • Effect
  • Force
  • Multiplier
  • Gears
  • Mechanism
  • Gravity
  • Pulley
  • Resistance
  • Levers
  • Pivot
  • Load
  • Variable

Week 7

Outcomes

  • To evaluate the effects of pulleys, levers and gears
  • To assess knowledge and understanding of forces

Working Scientifically

  • To evaluate an enquiry

Scientific Enquiry

  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • A pulley makes an object weigh less
  • A pulley lifts objects by itself
  • The more pulleys there are, the lighter the object becomes
  • Pulleys create extra force
  • Gears make machines more powerful by creating force
  • All gears turn in the same direction
  • Bigger gears always turn faster
  • Gears only make machines go faster

Revision

  • To recall a similarity and difference between light and sound waves

Vocabulary

  • Force
  • Multiplier
  • Gears
  • Mechanism
  • Pulleys
  • Resistance
  • Load

Week 1

Outcomes

  • To identify the characteristics of different animal groups
  • To describe the life cycle of mammals

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing and a scientific diagram

Scientific enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • All animals with four legs are mammals
  • Animals can belong to more than one animal group
  • All animals in the same group look the same
  • All animals with fur are mammals
  • Baby mammals are independent as soon as they are born
  • Mammals go through metamorphosis

Revision

  • To define key vocabulary about the digestive system
  • To identify the parts of the digestive system and its functions

Vocabulary

  • Mammals
  • Fish
  • Reptiles
  • Birds
  • Amphibians
  • Life cycle
  • Develop
  • Gestation
  • Embryo
  • Vulnerable
  • Weaned
  • Mature

Week 2

Outcomes

  • To explain the life cycles of insects
  • To describe the life cycles of amphibians

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing and a scientific diagram

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • All insects have the same life cycle
  • A caterpillar is a baby butterfly
  • Insects sleep inside a chrysalis
  • Tadpoles are baby fish
  • Frogs hatch as tiny frogs
  • Adult frogs only live in water

Revision

  • To explain the parts of the digestive system and its functions
  • To identify different types of teeth

Vocabulary

  • Invertebrate
  • Insect
  • Exoskeleton
  • Egg
  • Larva
  • Pupa
  • Adult
  • Vertebrate
  • Tadpole
  • Gills
  • Metamorphosis
  • Froglet
  • Lungs

Week 3

Outcomes

  • To examine the life cycle of birds
  • To compare and contrast the lifecycles of animals

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing and a scientific diagram

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Baby birds can fly as soon as they hatch
  • Birds go through metamorphosis when they fledge
  • All animals have the same life cycle
  • Only insects undergo metamorphosis
  • All animals reproduce and care for their young in the same way

Revision

  • To describe the process of digestion
  • To summarise the roles of different organs during the process of digestion

Vocabulary

  • Incubate
  • Hatchling
  • Fledgling
  • Yolk
  • Membrane
  • Compare
  • Contrast
  • Features
  • Juvenile
  • Similarities
  • Differences

Week 4

Outcomes

  • To recognise and appraise the works of naturalists David Attenborough, John Edmonstone and Mya-Rose Craig

Working Scientifically

  • To observe closely
  • To gather and record results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Identifying, grouping and classifying

Misconceptions

  • Flowers are only for attracting insects
  • Pollen and seeds are the same thing
  • All flowers have exactly the same parts

Revision

  • To evaluate the impact of liquids on our teeth
  • To give examples of how to care for our teeth

Vocabulary

  • Taxidermist
  • Ornithologist
  • Naturalist
  • Broadcaster
  • Influential
  • Impact
  • Carpel
  • Stamen
  • Petals
  • Pollen
  • Dissect

Week 5

Outcomes

  • To compare the life cycles of flowering and non-flowering plants
  • To discuss how seeds are dispersed

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing
  • To gather and record results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • All plants produce flowers
  • Non-flowering plants produce seeds
  • Flowering and non-flowering plants have the same life cycle
  • Seeds only spread by the wind
  • Plants choose how to disperse their seeds
  • Seeds always land where they can grow into new plants

Revision

  • To discuss the role of toothpaste
  • To define key terms- producer, prey and predator

Vocabulary

  • Pollination
  • Seeds
  • Reproduction
  • Photosynthesis
  • Life span
  • Diversity
  • Dispersal
  • Mechanism
  • Viable
  • Dormant
  • Germination

Week 6

Outcomes

  • To discuss how changes in the environment affect animal lifecycles
  • To assess knowledge and understanding of living things

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing

Scientific enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Animals can always adapt quickly to environmental changes
  • Changes in the environment only affect adult animals
  • All animals are affected by environmental changes in the same way

Revision

  • To recall and define key vocabulary related to the digestive system
  • To examine the digestive process

Vocabulary

  • Extinct
  • Habitat
  • Conservation
  • Resurgence
  • Decline

Week 1

Outcomes

  • To discuss how plants reproduce asexually
  • To examine sexual plant reproduction

Working Scientifically

  • To plan an enquiry
  • To observe closely

Scientific Enquiry

  • OOE
  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Asexual reproduction in plants still needs pollen, pollination or fertilisation
  • New plants made by asexual reproduction are always grown from seeds
  • Runners, bulbs and tubers are just storage parts and cannot grow into new plants
  • Plants produced asexually are completely different from the parent plant, rather than genetically identical clones
  • Pollination and fertilisation are the same thing
  • Seeds are made as soon as pollen lands on the stigma
  • All flowers need insects to reproduce

Revision

  • To identify the different states of matter (solids, liquids and gases)
  • To compare the properties of particles in different states of matter

Vocabulary

  • Asexual reproduction
  • Cutting
  • Cloning
  • Grafting
  • Sexual reproduction
  • Fertilisation
  • Pollen
  • Pollinator
  • Pollination

Week 2

Outcomes

  • To discuss how animals reproduce
  • To compare the gestation periods of different animals

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing
  • To interpret results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Pattern seeking

Misconceptions

  • All animals reproduce in the same way
  • All animals lay eggs
  • All animal babies are born alive
  • Offspring are always identical to their parents
  • Bigger animals always have longer gestation periods
  • Smaller animals always have shorter gestation periods
  • Animals of a similar size will have similar gestation periods

Revision

  • To compare and classify materials according to whether they are solids, liquids or gases
  • To explain what is meant by a reversible change

Vocabulary

  • Fertilise
  • Eggs
  • Pregnancy
  • Gestation
  • Reproduce
  • Birth
  • Data
  • Relationship
  • Correlation
  • Outlier
  • Marsupial

Week 3

Outcomes

  • To use a classification key to classify and identify plants in our local area
  • To use a classification key to classify and identify animals in our local area

Working Scientifically

  • To observe closely

Scientific Enquiry

  • Identifying, classifying and grouping

Misconceptions

  • Classification keys can work with open questions instead of yes/no questions
  • The questions in a classification key can be in any order and it will still work accurately
  • Colour is always the best feature to use when sorting plants and animals

Revision

  • To explain what is meant by an irreversible change
  • To sort changes into reversible and irreversible changes

Vocabulary

  • Classification
  • Species
  • Characteristic
  • Feature
  • Key
  • Yes/no

Week 4

Outcomes

  • To explain how asexual reproduction can occur from cuttings
  • To examine the life of Maria Sibylla Merian – etymologist – one of the earliest entomologists and ecologists

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing, diagrams and tables
  • To present results in a factfile

Scientific Enquiry

  • Observing over time
  • Research

Misconceptions

  • A cutting is dead once it has been removed from the parent plant
  • A cutting needs seeds, flowers or pollination to grow into a new plant
  • Any part of any plant can be cut off and will always grow into a new plant
  • Scientific knowledge has always stayed the same and has not changed over time
  • People in the past knew the same scientific facts that we know today
  • Only men made important scientific discoveries in the past
  • Early scientists always worked in laboratories rather than observing plants and animals closely in the natural world

Revision

  • To assess how the states of matter can overlap
  • To model the process of the water cycle

Vocabulary

  • Offspring
  • Characteristics
  • Tuber
  • Runner
  • Bulb
  • Ecologist
  • Naturalist
  • Entomologist
  • Suriname
  • Illustrations

Week 5

Outcomes

  • To describe changes to humans as they age
  • To assess knowledge and understanding

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Humans stop changing once they become adults
  • Ageing only means getting taller and bigger
  • All humans grow and age at exactly the same rate

Revision

  • To identify the roles of evaporation and condensation in the water cycle

Vocabulary

  • Longevity
  • Decline
  • Elderly
  • Aging process

Week 1

Outcome

  • To discuss the order of the planets in the solar system
  • To compare the size and position of the planets in the solar system

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing
  • To interpret data from a table

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • The planets are ordered by size rather than by distance from the Sun
  • The Sun is one of the planets in the sequence
  • The Moon should be included in the planet order
  • The planets are evenly spaced out from the Sun
  • A planet’s orbit is longer because the planet itself is bigger, rather than because it is further from the Sun
  • The largest planets always have the longest orbits around the Sun

Revision

  • To recall 7 life processes MRS GREN
  • To justify living or not using life process knowledge

Vocabulary

  • Galaxy
  • Star
  • Solar system
  • Planet
  • Orbit
  • Asteroid belt
  • Orbit length
  • Relative to
  • Asteroid
  • Diameter

Week 2

Outcome

  • To explain why we experience different seasons on Earth
  • To describe the movement of the Earth relative to the Sun (day and night)

Working Scientifically

  • To observe closely
  • To draw conclusions

Scientific Enquiry

  • Pattern seeking

Misconceptions

  • Seasons are caused by the Earth being closer to or further away from the Sun
  • Summer happens when the Sun gives out more heat, and winter happens when the Sun gives out less heat
  • It is summer everywhere on Earth at the same time
  • Day and night are caused by the Sun moving around the Earth
  • The Earth only turns during the daytime and stops turning at night
  • The Earth takes one year to spin once on its axis

Revision

  • To explain what classification is
  • To identify ways of grouping living things

Vocabulary

  • Hemisphere
  • Orbit
  • Rotate
  • Axis
  • Tilt
  • Equator
  • Anticlockwise
  • West to east

Week 3

Outcome

  • To discuss the movement and phases of the moon
  • To describe the shape of the Earth

Working Scientifically

  • To interpret results
  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • The Moon makes its own light
  • The Moon orbits the Sun instead of orbiting Earth
  • The Moon takes one day to orbit Earth
  • The same side of the Moon always faces Earth because the Moon does not rotate
  • The phases of the Moon are caused by Earth’s shadow
  • The phases of the Moon are caused by clouds covering part of the Moon

Revision

  • To group living things (vertebrates and invertebrates)
  • To devise classification keys

Vocabulary

  • Phase
  • Waxing
  • Waning
  • New
  • Crescent
  • Gibbous
  • Spherical
  • Evidence
  • Aristotle
  • Eratosthenes
  • Apollo 17
  • Satellites

Week 4

Outcome

  • To outline how ideas about space have developed and changed over time
  • To examine and compare different stars and constellations that are visible in our galaxy

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • The brightest star in the sky is always the closest star to Earth
  • Constellations are real groups of stars that are physically close together in space
  • Stars in a constellation are all the same distance from Earth
  • Constellations look the same from every place on Earth all year round

Revision

  • To explain how animals adapt to their habitats
  • To outline ways to help endangered animals

Vocabulary

  • Geocentric
  • Model
  • Copernicus
  • Galileo
  • Newton
  • Big Bang
  • Stars
  • Milky Way
  • Hubble
  • Telescope
  • Universe
  • Light years

Week 5

Outcome

  • To examine the terrestrial planets
  • To examine the gas and ice giants

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • All planets have a rocky, solid surface like Earth
  • “Terrestrial” means the planets have life or are similar to Earth in every way
  • The inner planets are close together and close to the Sun, so they must all be very hot
  • Mars, Venus and Mercury could support humans because they are rocky like Earth
  • Gas giants are made only of gas and have no structure or layers at all
  • You could stand on the surface of a gas giant if you had the right equipment
  • All outer planets are the same size, colour and made from the same materials
  • Rings only belong to Saturn

Revision

  • To examine the positive and negative impact humans can have on the environment and living things
  • To explain how habitats change throughout the year

Vocabulary

  • Terrestrial
  • Rocky
  • Inner planets
  • Solid surface
  • Gas giant
  • Outer planets
  • Atmosphere
  • Rings
  • Moons

Week 6

Outcome

  •  To assess knowledge and understanding of space

Week 7

Outcome

  • To explain how British astronauts have helped scientists learn more about space

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in a factfile

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • All astronauts are pilots or soldiers before they become astronauts
  • Britain has not contributed much to space exploration
  • Space exploration is only about travelling further, not about collecting evidence and improving scientific knowledge

Revision

  • To recap food chains and the terms predator, prey and producer

Vocabulary

  • Sharman
  • Peake
  • Coogan
  • McFall
  • Contributed

Week 1

Outcome

  • To explain what the Earth’s hydrosphere is
  • To explain how humans depend on the hydrosphere

Working Scientifically

  • Present results in writing
  • To ask scientific questions

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • The hydrosphere only means oceans, seas, rivers and lakes
  • Frozen water, groundwater and water vapour are not part of the hydrosphere
  • The hydrosphere is separate from living things, rather than connected to plants, animals and humans
  • The hydrosphere is a fixed amount of water that stays in one place, rather than water moving between different stores
  • Humans only depend on the hydrosphere for drinking water
  • Water used by humans always comes directly from rivers, lakes or taps
  • Humans can easily replace freshwater if we use too much or pollute it

Revision

  • To recognise some common conductors
  • To recognise some common insulators

Vocabulary

  • Hydrosphere
  • Geosphere
  • Atmosphere
  • Biosphere
  • Interconnected
  • Store/reservoir
  • Water cycle
  • Fresh water
  • Circulate
  • Limited

Week 2

Outcome

  • To identify how water from different sources is used
  • To discuss problems with water use

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in a labelled diagram and writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Revision

  • To identify the effects of air resistance
  • To describe the effects of water resistance

Week 3

Outcome

  • To recall our knowledge of space
  • To recall our knowledge of forces

Week 4

Outcome

  • To recall our knowledge of materials
  • To recall our knowledge of living things and their habitats

Week 5

Outcome

  • To recall our knowledge of insect, reptile and amphibian lifecycles
  • To recall our knowledge of bird and mammal lifecycles

Week 6

Outcome

  • To recall our knowledge of plant reproduction
  • To recall our knowledge of classification

Week 7

Outcome

  • To recall our knowledge of Working Scientifically and Scientific Enquiry

Properties and changes of materials

Year 5 start the year with properties and changes of materials, using their Year 4 knowledge of solids, liquids and gases to decide how mixtures might be separated, including through filtering, sieving and evaporating. Children conduct experiments to compare and group together everyday materials on the basis of their properties, to show how some materials will dissolve in liquid to form a solution, and describe how to recover a substance from a solution. Children demonstrate that dissolving, mixing and changes of state are reversible changes and explain that some changes result in the formation of new materials, and that this kind of change is usually irreversible.

Forces

Forces follows on from this and this is another topic that provides an opportunity for children to build on their existing learning of forces from Year 3. Children explain that unsupported objects fall towards the Earth because of the force of gravity acting between the Earth and the falling object. They identify the effects of air resistance, water resistance and friction, that act between moving surfaces. Also recognising that some mechanisms, including levers, pulleys and gears, allow a smaller force to have a greater effect.

Living things and their habitats – life cycles

Living things is taught in the spring, when the environmental conditions best enable the children to explore the learning objectives in relation to the life cycle of living things. They describe the difference in the life cycles of a mammal, an amphibian, an insect and a bird.

Animals including humans – gestation

Animals including humans, explores the growth and development of living things and aspects within this topic build on prior learning of plants from Year 3. Children describe the life process of reproduction in some plants and animals. They focus on the growth and development of humans, describing changes as humans develop to old age.

Earth and space

Earth and space is an entirely new topic for the children and consists of many advanced, abstract concepts, which children are able to better grasp nearer the end of the year. Children describe the movement of the Earth, and other planets, relative to the Sun in the solar system, describe the movement of the Moon relative to the Earth, Children use the idea of the Earth’s rotation to explain day and night and the apparent movement of the sun across the sky.

Environmental science – extinction

Year 5 children learn that extinction occurs when species are diminished because of environmental forces such as habitat fragmentation, climate change, natural disaster, overexploitation by humans, and pollution, or because of evolutionary changes in their members.

Autumn 1

Materials book cover

Properties of materials

Autumn 2

Forces and Movements book cover

Forces

Spring 1

Life Cycles book cover

Living things

Spring 2

life-cycles-and-reproduction_200

Animals including humans

Summer 1

Solar System book cover

Space

Summer 2

Humans and the Hydrosphere book cover

Environmental science

Water use and conservation

Year 6

Week 1

Outcome

  • To explain where light comes from
  • To demonstrate that light travels in straight lines

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing and a diagram
  • To evaluate an experiment

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • We see objects because light travels from our eyes to the object
  • Confusion between how a photon oscillates along its path and how a light ray travels in a straight line

Revision

  • To revise the three states of matter
  • To review what a mixture is

Vocabulary

  • Source
  • Luminous
  • Non-luminous
  • Natural
  • Artificial
  • Ray
  • Photon
  • Emit
  • Waves
  • Opaque
  • Absorb
  • Reflect
  • Emit
  • Evaluate

Week 2

Outcome

  • To investigate how the path of a ray can be altered using reflection
  • To compare and contrast the opacity of different materials

Working Scientifically

  • To observe closely
  • To plan a scientific enquiry

Scientific Enquiry

  • Pattern Seeking
  • Research

Misconceptions

  • A transparent object is a light source

Revision

  • To discuss ways of separating mixtures
  • To identify reversible changes

Vocabulary

  • Reflect
  • Angle
  • Source
  • Path
  • Reverse
  • Absorb
  • Material
  • Fair test
  • Variable
  • Independent
  • Dependent
  • Control

Week 3

Outcome

  • To test the opacity of different materials
  • To explore and understand refraction

Working Scientifically

  • To draw a conclusion
  • To present results in writing and a labelled diagram

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research
  • Comparative and Fair Testing

Misconceptions

  • Wavelength equates to speed through an object and reason as to why colours bend the way they do as they pass through a prism

Revision

  • To identify reversible changes
  • To differentiate between reversible and irreversible changes

Vocabulary

  • Accuracy
  • Consistent
  • Evidence
  • Conclude
  • Refine
  • Bend
  • Refraction
  • Direction
  • Distort
  • Lens

Week 4

Outcome

  • To investigate the composition of light
  • To describe how shadows are formed

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing
  • To make a prediction

Scientific Enquiry

  • Pattern Seeking
  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • Shadows contain the details of an object, e.g. Facial features on their shadow
  • Shadows result from objects giving off darkness

Revision

  • To explain which materials are needed for combustion to occur
  • To explain electrical conductivity

Vocabulary

  • Prism  
  • Newton
  • Composition
  • Spectrum
  • Dispersion
  • Shadow
  • Penumbra
  • Umbra
  • Silhouette
  • Eclipse

Week 5

Outcome

  • To construct a line graph using complex data
  • To recognise how the human eye works – diagram

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in a graph
  • To present results in writing and a diagram

Scientific Enquiry

  • Pattern seeking
  • Research

Revision

  • To explain thermal conductivity
  • To review solubility as a property of a material

Vocabulary

  • Analyse
  • Line graph
  • Conclude
  • Justify
  • Accuracy
  • Ciliary muscle
  • Optic nerve
  • Retina
  • Cornea
  • Pupil
  • Iris
  • Lens

Week 6

Outcome

  • To recognise how the human eye works
  • To understand the impact the impact of light pollution on living things

Working Scientifically

  • To present results using a scientific diagram
  • To present results in writing and a diagram

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Revision

  • To review key solubility vocabulary
  • To review the factors that affect solubility

Vocabulary

  • Ciliary muscle
  • Optic nerve
  • Retina
  • Cornea
  • Pupil
  • Iris
  • Lens

Week 7

Outcome

  • To recognise how the human eye works
  • To understand the impact the impact of light pollution on living things

Working Scientifically

  • To present results using a scientific diagram
  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Vocabulary

  • Ciliary muscle
  • Optic nerve
  • Retina
  • Cornea
  • Pupil
  • Iris
  • Lens
  • Light
  • Trespass
  • Sky
  • Glow
  • Glare
  • Diurnal
  • Nocturnal

Week 8

Outcome

  • To assess knowledge and understanding of light
  • Test Your Skills

Revision

  • To review the concept of a saturation point

Week 1

Outcome

  • To identify and name the main parts of the human circulatory system
  • To describe the function of the heart in the circulatory system

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing and a diagram
  • To present results using a scientific diagram

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Your heart is on the left side of your chest
  • The heart makes blood
  • The blood travels in one loop from the heart to the lungs and around the body
  • Some blood in our bodies is blue and some is red

Revision

  • To explain what a force is
  • To identify forces that impact upon everyday life

Vocabulary

  • Heart
  • Blood
  • Circulatory
  • Pulmonary
  • Systemic
  • Cardiovascular
  • Valve
  • Chamber
  • Ventricle
  • Atrium
  • Septum
  • Blood vessels

Week 2

Outcome

  • To recognise how blood flows through the heart
  • To outline the role of blood vessels and blood

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • The blood travels in one loop from the heart to the lungs and around the body

Revision

  • To identify the effects of air resistance
  • To define gravity and describe its effect

Vocabulary

  • Arteries
  • Capillaries
  • Veins
  • Oxygenated
  • Ventricle
  • Deoxygenated
  • Blood cells
  • Plasma
  • Platelets
  • Oxygen
  • Waste

Week 3

Outcome

  • To examine the journey blood takes around the body
  • To predict the effect that exercise has on heart rate

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in a diagram
  • To make a prediction

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • The blood travels in one loop from the heart to the lungs and around the body

Revision

  • To illustrate and label an accurate force diagram
  • To summarise the effects of water resistance

Vocabulary

  • Artery
  • Vein
  • Pulmonary
  • Aorta
  • Valve
  • Route
  • Stroke
  • Volume
  • Heart rate
  • Cardiac
  • Output
  • Effect

Week 4

Outcome

  • To investigate the effect that exercise has on heart rate
  • To present results on the effect that exercise has on heart rate looking for correlation – outliers

Working Scientifically

  • To gather results
  • To draw a conclusion

Scientific Enquiry

  • Comparative and fair testing

Revision

  • To describe situations when water resistance occurs
  • To explain the effects of friction

Vocabulary

  • Hypothesis
  • Predict
  • Pulse (name pulse)
  • Aerobic
  • Exertion
  • Prediction
  • Correlation
  • Outlier

Week 5

Outcome

  • To explain how nutrients and water are transported in animals, including humans
  • To recognise the impact of diet, exercise, drugs and lifestyle on the body

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing and a scientific diagram
  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • We eat food just for energy
  • All fat is bad for you
  • All dairy is good for you
  • Protein is good for you so you can eat as much as you want
  • Foods only contain fat if you can see it
  • All drugs are bad for you

Revision

  • To recall everyday situations where friction is present
  • To distinguish between pulleys and levers

Vocabulary

  • Nutrients
  • Hormones
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Kidneys
  • Lymph
  • Consume
  • Diet
  • Deficient
  • Unbalanced
  • Coronary

Week 6

Outcome

  • To identify key scientists that have contributed to our understanding of how the heart works

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing and timeline

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Revision

  • To describe everyday uses for pulleys and levers
  • To recognise that some mechanisms allow a smaller force to have a greater effect

Vocabulary

  • Contribution
  • Significant
  • Discovery
  • Development
  • Breakthrough

Week 7

Outcome

  • To assess knowledge and understanding of the Circulatory System
  • Test Your Skills

Working Scientifically

  • To compare the effects of pulleys, levers and gears

Week 1

Outcome

  • To recognise and describe inherited characteristics

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Offspring most resemble their parents of the same sex
  • All characteristics, including those that are due to actions during a parent’s lifetime (hair dyed, sporting ability) can be inherited
  • Cavemen and dinosaurs were alive at the same time

Revision

  • To recall the life cycles of birds

Vocabulary

  • Inherit
  • Characteristics
  • Offspring
  • DNA
  • Trait
  • Gene
  • Chromosome

Week 2

Outcome

  • To explain how species evolve

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Adaptation occurs during an animals lifetime

Revision

  • To describe the functions of parts of a flower

Vocabulary

  • Evolution
  • Theory
  • Natural selection
  • Adaptation
  • Mutation
  • Ancestor
  • Evolve
  • Darwin
  • Species
  • Homo sapiens

Week 3

Outcome

  • To illustrate and explain how living things change over time
  • To give examples of how living things change over time

Working Scientifically

  • To present results using writing and scientific diagrams

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Adaptation occurs during an animals lifetime

Revision

  • To identify the methods of seed dispersal

Vocabulary

  • Camouflage
  • Adapt
  • Variation
  • Species
  • Variation
  • Species
  • Adapt
  • Evolve
  • Natural selection

Week 4

Outcome

  • To analyse scientific evidence that has been used to support the theory of evolution

Working Scientifically

  • To identify how fossils support our understanding of evolution

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Adaptation occurs during an animals lifetime

Revision

  • To order the stages of life cycle of flowering plants

Vocabulary

  • Fossilisation
  • Decompose
  • Sediment
  • Trace fossil
  • Body fossil

Week 5

Outcome

  • To explain the concept of artificial selection, including possible harmful effect on biodiversity
  • To examine key figures contributions to our understanding of evolution Darwin, Anning etc

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing
  • To gather and record results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Cavemen and dinosaurs were alive at the same time

Revision

  • To summarise what a naturalist does
  • To compare the life cycles of humans, mammals, amphibians and insects

Vocabulary

  • Fossil
  • Record
  • Specialised
  • Stages
  • Natural selection
  • Evolution
  • Adapt
  • Change
  • Adaptation

Week 6

Outcome

  • To assess knowledge and understanding of Evolution
  • Test Your Skills

Week 1

Outcome

  • To recognise and describe inherited characteristics
  • To explain how species evolve

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Offspring most resemble their parents of the same sex
  • All characteristics, including those that are due to actions during a parent’s life time (hair dyed, sporting ability) can be inherited

Revision

  • To recall the life cycles of birds

Vocabulary

  • Inherit
  • Characteristics
  • Offspring
  • DNA
  • Trait
  • Gene
  • Chromosome
  • Evolution
  • Theory
  • Natural selection
  • Adaptation
  • Mutation

Week 2

Outcome

  • To explain how humans have evolved over time
  • To illustrate and explain how living things change over time

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing
  • To present results using writing and scientific diagrams

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Adaptation occurs during an animals lifetime

Revision

  • To describe the functions of parts of a flower

Vocabulary

  • Ancestor
  • Evolve
  • Darwin
  • Species
  • Homo sapiens
  • Camouflage
  • Adapt
  • Variation
  • Evolve
  • Species
  • Natural selection

Week 3

Outcome

  • To give examples of how living things change over time

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Adaptation occurs during an animals lifetime

Revision

  • To identify the methods of seed dispersal

Vocabulary

  • Variation
  • Species
  • Adapt
  • Evolve
  • Natural selection
  • Fossilisation
  • Decompose
  • Sediment
  • Trace fossil
  • Body fossil

Week 4

Outcome

  • To identify how fossils support our understanding of evolution
  • To explain the concept of artificial selection

Working Scientifically

  • To present results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Adaptation occurs during an animals lifetime

Revision

  • To order the stages of life cycle of flowering plants

Vocabulary

  • Fossilisation
  • Decompose
  • Sediment
  • Trace fossil
  • Body fossil
  • Fossil
  • Record
  • Specialised
  • Stages
  • Natural selection

Week 5

Outcome

  • To examine key figures contributions to our understanding of evolution. Darwin, Anning etc
  • To assess knowledge and understanding of Evolution

Working Scientifically

  • To gather and record results

Scientific enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Cavemen and dinosaurs were alive at the same time
  • To address misconceptions about evolution

Revision

  • To summarise what a naturalist does

Vocabulary

  • Evolution
  • Fossil
  • Adapt
  • Change
  • Adaptation

Week 1

Outcome

  • To understand how electricity is made

Working Scientifically

  • Presenting results in writing

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Revision

  • To define solubility and saturation

Vocabulary

  • Battery
  • Wire
  • Electricity
  • Mains
  • Renewable
  • Fuel
  • Sustainable

Week 2

Outcome

  • To distinguish between the various components of a circuit

Working Scientifically

  • Presenting results in a diagram

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Revision

  • To discuss ways of separating mixtures

Vocabulary

  • Cell
  • Series
  • Parallel
  • Flow
  • Charge
  • Current
  • Voltage

Week 3

Outcome

  • To identify the effects of changing a component in a circuit

Working Scientifically

  • To draw a conclusion

Scientific Enquiry

  • Comparative and fair testing

Misconceptions

  • Larger sized batteries make bulbs brighter
  • A complete circuit uses up electricity
  • Components in a circuit that are closer to the battery get more electricity

Revision

  • To differentiate between reversible and irreversible changes

Vocabulary

  • Resistance
  • Insulator
  • Conductor
  • Current
  • Voltage

Week 4

Outcome

  • To understand the difference between a parallel and series circuit

Working Scientifically

  • To observe carefully

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Revision

  • To explain which materials are needed for combustion to occur

Vocabulary

  • Voltage
  • Component
  • Arrange
  • Branch
  • Independent
  • Function

Week 5

Outcome

  • To explore the relationship between electricity and magnetism

Revision

  • To explain the difference between thermal and electrical conductivity

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Vocabulary

  • Magnetism
  • Electromagnet
  • Vibrate
  • Circuit breakers
  • Mains
  • Fuse
  • Devices

Week 6

Outcome

  • To assess knowledge and understanding of electricity

Week 1

Outcome

  • To recall the main types of fossil fuels and their source

Working Scientifically

  • Present results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Fossil fuels will never ‘run out’
  • All fossil fuels are the same
  • Fossil fuels are made from dinosaur remains

Revision

  • To explain refraction

Vocabulary

  • Fossil fuels
  • Photosynthesis
  • Coal
  • Gas
  • Oil
  • Energy
  • Extract

Week 2

Outcome

  • To describe the harmful effects of fossil fuels

Working Scientifically

  • Present results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Burning fossils fuels causes minor environmental damage

Revision

  • To explain how humans have evolved over time

Vocabulary

  • Drilling
  • Mining
  • Fracking
  • Exhaust
  • Ozone
  • Acidification
  • Smog

Week 3

Rhos-Y-Gwaliau

Week 4

Outcome

  • To summarise the impact of climate change

Working Scientifically

  • Present results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Climate change and weather are the same thing
  • The ozone hole causes climate change
  • Climate change isn’t real because it still gets cold
  • Only human activity affects the climate

Revision

  • To describe the journey blood takes around the body

Vocabulary

  • Greenhouse gas
  • Global heating
  • Atmosphere
  • Climate change

Week 5

Outcome

  • To compare ways of reducing fossil fuel use

Working Scientifically

  • Present results

Scientific Enquiry

  • Research

Misconceptions

  • Renewable energy can immediately replace all fossil fuels

Revision

  • To identify the different components in a circuit

Vocabulary

  • Renewable
  • Sustainable
  • Insulation
  • Clean energy

Week 6

Outcome

  • To recall our knowledge of light

Vocabulary

  • Emit
  • Photon
  • Wave
  • Ray
  • Reflect
  • Refract
  • Umbra
  • Penumbra
  • Prism
  • Lens
  • Eye

Week 7

Outcome

  • To recall our knowledge of animals including humans

Vocabulary

  • Classify
  • Branching key
  • Dichotomous
  • Linneus
  • Evolve
  • Adapt
  • Darwin
  • Fossil record

Light

Year 6 start the year with Light. This is a topic they have not explored since Year 3, so it provides an opportunity to revisit and build upon their existing knowledge by developing their understanding of how light behaves, including light sources, reflections and shadows. Children use the idea that light travels in straight lines to explain that objects are seen because they give out or reflect light into the eye.

Animals including humans – circulatory system

Animals including humans follows on from light and provides the children an opportunity to revisit and build on prior learning from previous year groups by recognising the impact of diet, exercise, drugs and lifestyle on the way their bodies function. Children identify and name the main parts of the human circulatory system, and describe the functions of the heart, blood vessels and blood.

Living things and their habitats – classification

Living things is taught before evolution and inheritance, as knowledge of classification underpins the children’s understanding of this topic. Children are taught to describe how living things are classified into broad groups according to common observable characteristics and based on similarities and difference, including micro-organisms, plants and animals. They give reasons for classifying plants and animals based on specific characteristics.

Evolution and inheritance

Evolution and inheritance consists of various abstract concepts, which children are able to better grasp nearer the end of the year. Children will expand on what they learned about fossils in the Year 3 rocks topic, finding out more about how living things have changed over time. Children recognise that living things have changed over time and that fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago. They learn that that living things produce offspring of the same kind, but normally offspring vary and are not identical to their parents, Children identify how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways and that adaptation may lead to evolution.

Electricity

Building on what they learnt in Year 4, children in Year 6 they associate the brightness of a lamp or the volume of a buzzer with the number and voltage of cells used in the circuit. They compare and give reasons for variations in how components function, including the brightness of bulbs, the loudness of buzzers and the on/off position of switches. Children use recognised symbols when representing a simple circuit in a diagram. Electricity is taught at the end of Year 6 to ensure that resources are plentiful since it does not clash with the same time the topic is taught in Year 4.

Environmental science – fossil fuels

Year 6 children learn about the main types of fossil fuels and their source. They understand the effects of burning fossil fuels on the climate and compare ways of reducing fossil fuel use.

Autumn 1

Light and Colour book cover

Light

Autumn 2

Your Thumping Heart book cover

Animals including humans

Spring 1

Living things and habitats

Spring 2

What is Evolution? book cover

Evolution

Summer 1

Essential Physical Science Electricity book cover

Electricity

Summer 2

Endangered Energy book cover

Environmental science

Energy and fossil fuels