Science

Science Rationale at Race Leys Infant School

At Race Leys Infant School we want to enable our children to build on their natural curiosity and to shape it into scientific enquiry. We nurture inquisitive minds to go from wondering ‘what if?’ to ‘let’s find out’. Science is a hands on subject where each lesson provides exciting new areas for children to explore. Our science lessons are engaging and practical where children are encouraged to develop scientific skills. Our children observe and ask questions with genuine interest and excitement. We scaffold learning and skills so that children can develop their understanding of the world around them with a critical eye, and build confidence needed to carry out their own investigations. Children explore, collect evidence and test their own hypotheses. Our children are encouraged to ask questions, suggest possible explanations, and then test them to see if they make sense.

Reception

In Reception, Science is covered through the Early Learning Goal called Understanding of the World.

In Reception we know about similarities and differences in relation to places, objects, materials and living things. We talk about the features of our own immediate environment and how environments might vary from one another. We make observations of animals and plants and explain why some things occur, and talk about changes.

Key Stage One

In Key Stage One, Science is covered through the Science National Curriculum. It is split into Working Scientifically and the specific scientific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
During Years 1 and 2, children will be taught to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills through:
•   Asking simple questions
•   Observing closely, using simple equipment
•   Performing simple tests
•   Identifying and classifying
•   Using their observation and ideas to suggest answers to questions
•   Gathering and recording data to help in answering questions (year 2)

In Year 1 we learn about:
•   Plants
•   Animals, including humans
•   Everyday materials
•   Seasonal changes

In Year 2 we learn about:

All living things
Plants
Animals, including humans
Habitats
Uses of everyday materials
Movement