Science at Fir Tree

Science at Fir Tree aims to build on children’s enthusiasm and natural sense of wonder about the world whilst treating the living and non-living environment with respect and sensitivity. Children are encouraged to be inquisitive and to question the world around them and to offer their own suggestions. 

Cross curricular learning

Fir Tree Junior School takes a cross-curricular approach to teaching and learning where children are taught their subjects through projects which link in a meaningful and purposeful context. Where parts of the curriculum do not fit easily into the projects that are being covered, Science is planned and taught discretely. The amount of Science taught per week may vary from class to class due to this cross-curricular approach, however, an average of two hours per week is taught. 

Where possible, Science is linked closely with both maths and computing in order to enhance the learning. For example, children are taught how to use data loggers to record light, temperature or noise over a period of time. Computing is also used to create databases or graphs of results. Where it is not possible to see a real investigation in front of them, for example, seeing the growth of a plant, children may use a computer simulation to show changes quickly. 

A practical and investigative approach

Children are encouraged to think carefully about what they would like to learn about in Science so that they can take responsibility for their own learning in order to make it meaningful to them. They develop their knowledge through practical work and the skills of observation, prediction, investigation, communication, questioning and hypothesising. Children at Fir Tree are encouraged to develop their skills of co-operation through working with others. Where possible, children are encouraged to explore Science in ways which are relevant and meaningful to them.

Children’s knowledge and understanding is backed up through this practical emphasis as well as opportunities, where possible, to have real-life experiences of the phenomena that they are learning about. 

Scientific Vocabulary

Children are encouraged to learn and use the correct scientific vocabulary for what they are learning about. This is taught explicitly near the beginning of a unit to give the children the correct words to use. The language of investigations is also explicitly taught and modelled so pupils use the correct terminology.

Included below are Fir Tree Junior School's Science vocabulary sheets. These show the scientific terminology that your child will be learning in their lessons throughout the year. They will also be included on your child's individual class page when the appropriate project is covered. It would benefit your child if the vocabulary used to talk about Science at home was consistent with the vocabulary used at school. 

Useful Links 

Here is a list of useful links that can be used to help support your child with their Science learning: 

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/science
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/living_things/
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/materials/
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/physical_processes/
• http://www.primarygames.com/science.php
• http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/revision/Science/
• http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/science/index.html
• http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/
• http://www.crickweb.co.uk/ks2science.html

"This was so much fun. I loved flying it. It worked first time!"

"I liked it when they went spiralling down."

"The STEM challenge was a lot of fun! I want to do another one!" 

"I liked seeing the paper making a whirly spin."

"I liked exploring to see how fast and slow the whirly bird went. It was fascinating to see how it spins. I want to practise at home to make it better.

"I liked watching it. I want to learn why it swirls and doesn't fall down."

Year 5

This term we have been investigating forces around us and describing their effect on objects and the environment. We distinguished the difference between mass and weight. Mass is a measure of the amount of stuff inside an object and measured in grams and kilograms. Whereas, weight is a measure of the strength and gravity acting on an object and measured in Newtons. We had great fun completing an experiment to investigate the force of gravity by measuring the weight and mass of different objects.