We call it our book-based curriculum. Our science curriculum consists of 18 units that are designed in such a way that they are naturally linked to the texts used in the English curriculum. The knowledge, skills and understanding of both English and Science are therefore important to the activities. One of the main aims is to improve pupils’ writing through science as well as guaranteeing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts.
Just like in the ‘real’ world, the boundaries between the subjects are less pronounced because the learning in different subjects is connected through the context of the text. It makes learning more meaningful, memorable and functional.
Each science unit covers half a term’s learning and focuses on a key concept through a lead question followed by further questions to delve deeper into the scientific concepts. Below are the science units we currently teach in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2:
|
Book |
Science coverage |
Lead question |
|
Beegu |
Everyday materials |
What does Beegu think of life on planet Earth? |
|
Bog Baby |
Animals, including humans |
Why are humans not like tigers? |
|
The Rabbit Problem |
Seasonal Change |
Why are there so many leaves on the floor? |
|
Wild |
Living things and their habitats |
Why would a dinosaur not make a good pet? |
|
Little Evie in the wildwood |
Plants |
How old are the trees around us? |
|
Traction Man |
Materials |
What would Traction Man use to build our school? |
|
Orion and the dark |
Light and dark |
How far can you throw your shadow? |
|
The street beneath my feet |
Rocks |
What do rocks tell us about the way the Earth was formed? |
|
The incredible book-eating boy |
Digestive system |
What happens to the food we eat? |
|
The pied piper |
Sound |
Why is the sound made by a popular band enjoyed by so many? |
|
The Promise |
Plants and animals |
Which animals and plants thrive in our local environment? |
|
The man who walked between the towers |
Forces |
Does what goes up, always come down? |
|
Cosmic |
Space |
Will Liam really be the next astronaut to land on the moon? |
|
The nowhere emporium |
Life cycles |
How different will you be when you are as old as your grandparents? |
|
Pig heart boy |
The heart and the circulation system |
Why is our heart the most important pump we own? |
|
Spider and the fly |
Living things and their habitats |
How can we find out if spiders and flies are related? |
|
Wonder |
Evolution and inheritance |
Have we always looked like this? |