Science key stage 1

During key stage 1 pupils observe, explore and ask questions about living things, materials and phenomena. They begin to work together to collect evidence to help them answer questions and to link this to simple scientific ideas. They evaluate evidence and consider whether tests or comparisons are fair. They use reference materials to find out more about scientific ideas. They share their ideas and communicate them using scientific language, drawings, charts and tables.

Note

The general teaching requirement for health and safety applies in this subject.

Note for 2

Cross reference to English

En1 Speaking and listening: Group discussion and interaction

10. The range of purposes should include:

a. making plans and investigating
b. sharing ideas and experiences
c. commenting and reporting

Note for 2b

Cross reference to English

En2 Reading: Non-fiction and non-literary texts

7. The range should include:

a. print and ICT-based information texts, including those with continuous text and relevant illustrations
b. dictionaries, encyclopedias and other reference materials

Note for 2f

Units of measurement

In the international system of units, kilogram (kg) is the unit of mass. In practice, mass is measured by weighing; scales measure or compare a force (a push or a pull). At key stage 1 it is acceptable to treat weight as synonymous with mass. At key stage 2 pupils will learn that the unit of weight (a type of force) is the newton.

In science, the term volume is preferred to capacity. The preferred unit is cubic centimetres, but at key stage 1 the unit litre (= 1000 cubic centimetres) is acceptable.

Cross reference to mathematics

Ma3 Shape, space and measures: Understanding measures

4. Pupils should be taught to:

a. estimate the size of objects and order them by direct comparison using appropriate language; put familiar events in chronological order; compare and measure objects using uniform non-standard units [for example, a straw, wooden cubes], then with a standard unit of length (cm, m), weight (kg), capacity (l) [for example, 'longer or shorter than a metre rule', 'three-and-a-bit litre jugs']; compare the durations of events using a standard unit of time
c. estimate, measure and weigh objects; choose and use simple measuring instruments, reading and interpreting numbers, and scales to the nearest labelled division 

Note for 2g

Ma2 Number: Processing, representing and interpreting data

5. Pupils should be taught to:

a. solve a relevant problem by using simple lists, tables and charts to sort, classify and organise information
b. discuss what they have done and explain their results

Cross reference to ICT

Exchanging and sharing information

3. Pupils should be taught:

a. how to share their ideas by presenting information in a variety of forms [for example, text, images, tables, sounds]
b. to present their completed work effectively [for example, for public display]

Note for 2i, 2j

Cross reference to English

En1 Speaking and listening: Speaking

1. To speak clearly, fluently and confidently to different people, pupils should be taught to:

c. organise what they say

En1 Speaking and listening: Group discussion and interaction

3. To join in as members of a group, pupils should be taught to:

c. take different views into account

En3 Writing: Composition

1. Pupils should be taught to:

d. use a clear structure to organise their writing
e. vary their writing to suit the purpose and reader