Researching Science
The journey continues from here...
Intent for 2022/23 - Actions identified from 21/22 Impact Review
Implementation of TAPS/Skills based curriculum progression across Key Stage 2.
Develop structure of lessons to ensure that disciplinary skills and knowledge are taught explicitly within each topic in Science.
Addition of reading around Science into the Year Group Reading Spines.
Vocabulary - ensuring we use subject specific vocabulary consistently when teaching.
Assessment - narrating learning and finding opportunities to celebrate and share when children have achieved the learning intent.
Termly whole school investigation to show a clear progression of disciplinary knowledge thus supporting teachers to feel more confident with assessment in Science.
Use of 'Agreed Consistencies' in Science lessons.
Implementation:
Whole School Curriculum Map
Using the Focus4Taps research and skills based approach, the Science Curriculum map has been developed to ensure all year groups are making progress in Scientific skills alongside key knowledge and understanding. The children are assessmed against these learning foci which is tracked using the Foundation Assessment Trackers.
Continuation and embedding of Focus4Taps and Skills based approach in Year 5.
The Focus4TAPS programme aims to improve science attainment of pupils, by improving teaching approaches and assessment in science. The course supports teachers to use assessment for learning in their classrooms, with a particular focus on assessing practical inquiry tasks to help pupils develop scientific reasoning skills and the use of self and peer-assessment to develop pupils’ metacognitive skills. The training provides resources and activities for teachers to use, however teachers are also encouraged to apply the principles to their own planning, so that the approaches become embedded in their teaching.
Impact of findings from the trial concluded:
That all children, including FSM eligible children made 2+ months progress.
https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and-evaluation/projects/focus4taps
Reading in Science
A list of non-fiction books are being compiled to be added to the Reading Spines by the end of next term. Science Lead in discussions with English Leads about how this could work.
Subject specific vocabulary
As part of the curriculum progression map, each year group has been provided with topic/subject specific vocabulary that should be covered in the topic they are teaching. CPD sessions to reinforce this. Monitoring underway - to be shared. See Curriuclum Progression Map.
Assessment
Science has now been added to the Foundation skills trackers as a way of assessing both Scientific Knowledge and Enquiry.
Whole School Investigation
Planning for Science/Art/History fortnight.
V2 (11.11.22) Developing Teaching and Learning at Little Green Junior School (1).pdfUse of 'Agreed Consistencies' in Science
Monitoring of Inclusion in Science.