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Y4 Science

The National Curriculum for Science in Year 4.

Sc4/1    Working Scientifically


During years 3 and 4, pupils should be taught to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills through the teaching of the programme of study content:

Sc4/1.1    asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them

Sc4/1.2    setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests

Sc4/1.3    making systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, taking accurate measurements using standard units, using a range of equipment, including thermometers and data loggers

Sc4/1.4    gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions

Sc4/1.5    recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts, and tables

Sc4/1.6    reporting on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions

Sc4/1.7    using results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and raise further questions

Sc4/1.8    identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes

Sc4/1.9    using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings.


Sc4/2.1    All Living Things

Sc4/2.1a    recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways

Sc4/2.1b     explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name a variety of living things in their local and wider environment

Sc4/2.1c    recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things.


Sc4/2.2    Animals including humans

Sc4/2.2a    describe the simple functions of the basic parts of the digestive system in humans

Sc4/2.2b    identify the different types of teeth in humans and their simple functions

Sc4/2.2c    construct and interpret a variety of food chains, identifying producers, predators and prey.


Sc4/3.1    States of Matter

Sc4/3.1a    compare and group materials together, according to whether they are solids, liquids or gases

Sc4/3.1b    observe that some materials change state when they are heated or cooled, and measure or research the temperature at which this happens in degrees Celsius (°C)

Sc4/3.1c    identify the part played by evaporation and condensation in the water cycle and associate the rate of evaporation with temperature.


Sc4/4.1    Sound

Sc4/4.1a    identify how sounds are made, associating some of them with something vibrating

Sc4/4.1b     recognise that vibrations from sounds travel through a medium to the ear

Sc4/4.1c    find patterns between the pitch of a sound and features of the object that produced it

Sc4/4.1d    find patterns between the volume of a sound and the strength of the vibrations that produced it.

Sc4/4.1e    recognise that sounds get fainter as the distance from the sound source increases


Sc4/4.2    Electricity

Sc4/4.2a    identify common appliances that run on electricity

Sc4/4.2b    construct a simple series electrical circuit, identifying and naming its basic parts, including cells, wires, bulbs, switches and buzzers

Sc4/4.2c    identify whether or not a lamp will light in a simple series circuit, based on whether or not the lamp is part of a complete loop with a battery

Sc4/4.2d    recognise that a switch opens and closes a circuit and associate this with whether or not a lamp lights in a simple series circuit

Sc4/4.2e    recognise some common conductors and insulators, and associate metals with being good conductors.