Science

The Intent of our Science Curriculum

Intent

Our high-quality, knowledge-based science education at Holy Family Catholic Primary School aims to provide all learners with the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, physics and chemistry, as well as develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena within every pupil.

Our curriculum aims to give purposeful learning opportunities that build on children’s prior learning. Children should be taught through enquiry based learning, where they are given time to investigate, prove and justify theories and reasons.

Science links in with other school intents; working independently and collaboratively and trying new experiences.

Our current Ark topic in Science is Living things and their habitats. To deepen our understanding, we chose to explore the school grounds and see if we could find any plants or habitats. We discovered plenty of plants and then discussed if they were alive, dead or had never lived, we learnt about this in lesson 2 of our Science topic. Year 2 really enjoyed exploring habitats and discussing which animals may live there. 

Children in FS2 have been observing and interacting with natural processes. Thay have used magnets to attract objects.

Year 6- Light and Perception

In Year 6 Science, we explored Light and perception learning about how we see, how light reflects, how light moves, what colour light is, understanding light pollution and completing two investigations involving torches, mirrors and shadows!

Year 5- Earth and Space

The children in year 5 have enjoyed learning about the topic Earth and Space.

From identifying the planets and how they orbit the Sun, to debating the theories about the workings of the universe, the children were able to describe their learning and use the key vocabulary throughout their work.

Take a look at their wonderful work below!

This week in Year 4, the children have been finishing their Science topic of electricity. This week, the children have been investigating what materials are conductors and which are insulators of electricity. The children have had lots of fun making circuits this half term and investigating different ideas. 

In Year 4, the children have been very busy in Science! We have started our new topic this half term which is Electricity. In our first lesson, the children looked at what Electricity is, worked in teams to write safety rules when using electricity and worked together to put different appliances in the correct columns (electric appliance - mains powered, electric appliance - battery powered and non-electric appliance). In the children's second lesson they explored how to create different circuits, they worked so well together and used their problem solving skills. In the third lesson, the children have investigated how to make a lamp light up in different ways. The children have loved their science lessons so far and they are looking forward to carrying on with this topic! 

FS2 children were intriged by their shadows in the play ground. This was used as a basis for thinking about shadows and asking and answering questions; What makes a shadow interesting? What is a shadow and what do shadows tell us? How does this link to night and day? Children played lots of different games.

Upon their return to the class room a child asked, "Why don't we have shadows in the classroom?" We then explored shadows using a lamp and objects and made comparisions.

In Year 4, the children have started learning about Sound. In today's lesson, the children were learning about what Sound is. The children completed some excellent work in their books and in groups, they went around the school to investigate different sounds in different areas. For example, outside the classroom, the hall and the playground. 

Year 2, have started their new science topic- plants and growth. They have used the pre-topic quiz to see what they can remember about the topic. They have also spent time reading their knowledge organiser, where we looked at familiar and unfamiliar vocabulary. We have then placed vocabulary in tier 2 and tier 3. 

Year 5- Life Cycles

Our new topic for science this term is all about life cycles. We really enjoyed our first lesson learning about the different life cycles of vertebrates. Take a look below at our amazing work!

Y5 Science investigation

Y5 have investigated what happens when something dissolves. They really enjoyed looking at which materials are soluble and which are insoluble. 

Y5 Science investigation

Y5 have investigated conductivity by finding out which material would make the best teapot. They represented their findings using a line graph. 

In Year 2, we have been studying 'living things and their habitats'. We have observed how the habitat has changed over time. 

Reception children had a problem! They didn't want the Three Billy Goats Gruff to trip trap over the bridge and face the Troll, but they did want them to eat the green grass in the lush meadow. How would they help the goats get across the river?? They designed a raft and made predictions as to whether their raft would float or sink. They then made a raft and tested the raft to see if their predictions were correct. They then changed their design to make sure it would support the weight of the goats. All goats made it successfully into the meadow, well done Reception!