SCIENCE AT GUESTLING
AIMS AND PURPOSE
At Guestling we want children to acquire a systematic, scientific approach to learning, developing useful knowledge, skills and attitudes about the world in which we live.
The objectives of teaching science are to enable children to:
- Ask and answer scientific questions
- Actively explore the environment
- Plan and carry out scientific investigations, using equipment (including computers) correctly and safely
- Evaluate evidence, and present their conclusions clearly and accurately
- Know and understand the life processes of living things
- Know and understand the physical processes of materials, electricity, light, sound, and natural forces
- Know about the nature of the solar system, including the earth.
EVENTS AND VISITS
We have the Herstmonceux Science Centre close at hand, which we have visited on many occasions. It is good as a family outing too.
Year 6 recently enjoyed the Big Bang Science Show at Rye College, where they made ice cream, sat in an electric car, held snakes and bearded dragons and saw an ‘air show’.
FOUNDATION STAGE
In Reception science is taught as an integral part of the topic work during the year. Science makes a significant contribution to developing a child’s knowledge and understanding of the world.
Children will learn to:
- Ask questions about why things happen and how they work
- Look at similarities and differences
- Look for patterns
- Make observations about animals, plants, objects and their environment
- Find out about technology and use programmes to help their learning
You can help at home by playing with your child and asking what they found out. Make a trip to the park or shops a chance for your child to find out about the world around them.
KEY STAGE 1 - YEARS 1 & 2
Topics covered in Year 1:
- Plants
- Animals, including humans
- Everyday materials
- Seasonal changes
Topics covered in Year 2:
- Living things and their habitats
- Plants
- Animals, including humans
- Use of everyday materials
You can help at home by looking at everyday objects with your children and talking about what they are made of and why that material was used.
KEY STAGE 2 - YEARS 3, 4, 5 & 6
Topics covered in Year 3:
- Plants
- Animals, including humans
- Rocks, soils and fossils
- Light and shadows
- Forces and magnets
Topics covered in Year 4:
- Living things and their habitats
- Animals, including humans
- States of matter
- Sound
- Electricity
Topics covered in Year 5:
- Living things and their habitats
- Animals, including humans
- Properties and changes of materials
- Earth and space
- Forces
Topics covered in Year 6:
- Living things and habitats
- Animals, including humans
- Evolution and inheritance
- Light
- Electricity
You can help at home by asking your children what they need to find out about and helping them research their topic at the library or on the Internet.
LINKS
BBC Bitesize - click on the key stage, then the subject you are interested in.