Third & Fourth
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Third and Fourth Classes

Throughout their science investigations, the children should be aware of and encouraged to adopt safe practices. They should adopt safety procedures in designing and making tasks, particularly when they are using tools and instruments.

Working scientifically

Questioning

  • Ask questions about animals and plants, familiar objects and events in the immediate environment
  • Ask questions that may lead to immediate investigations
  • Ask questions that will help in drawing conclusions and interpreting information

Observing

  • Observe and describe natural and human elements and process in the immediate environment
  • Observe and describe characteristics such as the shape, size, colour, pattern, texture, sound and smell of familiar things in the environment

Predicting

  • Offer suggestions based on observations on the likely results of the investigation

Investigating and experimenting

  • Collect information and data from a variety of sources
  • Design, plan and carry out simple investigations
  • Identify one or two obvious variables relating to the investigation
  • Realise that an experiment is unfair if relevant variables are not controlled

Estimating and measuring

  • Measure, compare and record mass, weight, capacity, time and temperature using appropriate standard units of measurement and simple equipment

Analysing

Sorting and classifying

  • Sort and group data on people, events and natural phenomena using a range of appropriate criteria
  • Sort and present data in sets and subsets

Recognising patterns

  • Look for and recognise relationships when making observations
  • Select appropriate observations that fit a pattern

Interpreting

  • Interpret information and offer explanations
  • Draw conclusions from suitable aspects of the evidence collected

Recording and communicating

  • Record and present findings and conclusions using a variety of methods

Designing and making

Exploring

  • Explore a wide range of everyday objects and how they work 
  • Explore freely how a range of shapes, objects and other constructions can be made using a variety of materials
  • Explore how some objects might be improved or adapted
  • Recognise that people like certain characteristics of objects but not others, and investigate the reasons for these preferences 

Planning

  • Recognise the need to change or adapt an object or surroundings
  • Work collaboratively to create a design proposal
  • Communicate and evaluate the design plan using sketches, models and ICT

Making

  • Make a range of simple objects to solve practical problems
  • Develop craft-handling skills and techniques
  • Use appropriate tools
  • Use a range of materials

Evaluating

  • Recognise that modifications may have to be made throughout a task
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the new product and suggest modifications
  • Evaluate the work of peers and propose modifications

Strand: Living things

Strand unit: Human life

Variety and characteristics of humans

  • Become aware of the names and structure of some of the body’s major external and internal organs

Human life processes

  • Develop an awareness of the importance of food for energy and growth
  • Understand the physical changes taking place in both male and female during growth to adulthood
  • Become aware of and investigate breathing
  • Explore and investigate how people move

Strand unit: Plant and animal life

Variety and characteristics of living things

  • Observe, identify and investigate the animals and plants that live in the local environment
  • Develop an increasing awareness of plants and animals in the wider environment
  • Observe and explore some ways in which plant and animal behaviour is influenced by, or adapted to, environmental conditions
  • Sort and group living things into sets according to observable features
  • Use simple keys to identify common species of plants and animals
  • Understand that plants use light and energy from the sun
  • Come to appreciate that animals depend on plants and indirectly on the sun for food

Processes of life

  • Become aware of some of the basic life processes in animals
  • Investigate the factors that affect plant growth

Strand: Energy and forces

Strand unit: Light

  • Learn that light is a form of energy
  • Recognise that light comes from different natural and artificial sources
  • Investigate that light can be broken up into different colours
  • Investigate the relationships between light and materials
  • Investigate how mirrors and other shiny surfaces are good reflectors of light
  • Recognise that sun gives us heat and light
  • Be aware of the dangers of looking directly at the sun

Strand unit: Sound

  • Learn that sound is a form of energy
  • Recognise and identify a variety of sounds in the environment
  • Understand and explore how different sounds may be made by making a variety of material vibrate
  • Design and make a range of simple string instruments
  • Explore the fact that sound travels through materials

Strand unit: Heat

Learn that heat can be transferred

Recognise that temperature is a measure of how hot something is

Measure changes in temperature using a thermometer

Measure and compare changes in different places in the classroom, school and environment

Understand that the sun is the Earth’s most important heat source

Identify ways in which homes, buildings and materials are heated

Strand unit: Magnetism and electricity

  • Learn that magnets can push or pull magnetic materials
  • Explore how magnets have poles and investigate how poles can attract or repel
  • Explore the relationship between magnets and compasses
  • Examine and classify objects and materials as magnetic and non-magnetic
  • Explore the effects of static electricity
  • Observe the effects of static electricity on everyday things in the environment
  • Learn about electrical energy
  • Investigate current electricity by construction simple circuits
  • Examine and group materials as conductors or insulators
  • Become aware of the dangers of electricity

Forces

  • Explore how objects can be moved
  • Explore how some moving objects can be slowed down
  • Explore the effect of friction on movement through experimenting with toys and objects on various surfaces
  • Investigate falling objects
  • Explore how levers may be used to help lift different objects
  • Investigate the pushing force of water

Strand: Materials

Strand unit: Properties and characteristics of materials

  • Identify and investigate a range of common materials in the immediate environment
  • Recognise that materials can be solid, liquid or gaseous
  • Describe and compare materials, noting the differences in colour, shape and texture
  • Distinguish between raw and manufactured materials
  • Group materials according to their properties
  • Investigate how materials may be used in construction

Strand unit: Materials and change

Heating and cooling

  • Explore the effects of heating and cooling on a range of liquids, gases and solids
  • Investigate the suitability of different kinds of clothes for variations in temperature
  • Experiment to establish which materials are conductors of heat or insulators

Mixing and other changes

  • Investigate how materials may be changed by mixing
  • Investigate the characteristics of different materials when wet and dry
  • Examine the changes that take place in materials when physical forces are applied
  • Explore some simple ways in which materials may be separated

Strand: Environmental awareness and care

Strand: Environmental awareness

  • Identify positive aspects of natural and built environments through observation, discussion and recording
  • Identify the interrelationship of the living and non-living elements of local and other environments
  • Become aware of the importance of the Earth’s renewable and non-renewable resources
  • Recognise how the actions of people may impact upon the environments
  • Come to appreciate the need to conserve resources

Strand unit: Science and the environment

  • Begin to explore and appreciate the application of science and technology in familiar contexts
  • Identify some ways in which science and technology contribute positively to the environment
  • Recognise and investigate human activities which have positive or adverse effects on local and wider environments

Strand unit: Caring for the environment

  • Examine a number of ways in which the local environment could be improved
  • Identify and discuss a local, national or global environmental issue
  • Realise that there is a personal and community responsibility for taking care of the environment

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