Science

Head of department: Mr Minns

Outline of Course

Content: The course is divided up into 10 modules, each of which covers a particular area of Science. The titles of the Modules are: Cells, Reproduction, Environment and Feeding Relationships, Acids and Alkalis, Simple Chemical Reactions, Particle Model of Solids, Liquids and Gases, Solutions, Energy Resources, Forces and their Effects and The Solar System and Beyond.

Activities: Note taking, carrying out and watching experiments (with the emphasis heavily on the side of the students carrying out their own experiments wherever possible).  The teaching of Science theory. Use of relevant videotapes. Investigations.

Skills: Drawing diagrams; making and recording observations and measurements; using equipment accurately and safely; drawing conclusions from their results and observations; carrying out simple mathematical calculations; drawing charts and graphs carefully and accurately

Homework Activities:

• Writing up experiments
• Answering questions
• Researching topics
• Reading the textbook in preparation for lessons
• Revising the work for tests etc

Assessment:

• By end of module tests (these are short answer tests of about 40 - 45 minutes duration).
• Practical assessment, to look at their ability to make predictions, plan experiments, carry them out, record data and draw conclusions.
• Level assessed tasks
• 2 x "cycle" tests
• Homework tasks

Parental Contribution:

• Provide support and encouragement particularly in the area of Homework tasks.
• Provide resources over and above that which the school can afford (*see below) to supply by way of textbooks etc. e.g. Science encyclopaedias for Christmas/birthday etc.  

Useful resources and equipment: Good pen, pencil, ruler, rubber, coloured pencils, pencil sharpener (and a pencil case to keep them in). A calculator is a fairly cheap but very useful extra (but only if the pupil can do the Maths without it first!)  Books as above.

Other relevant information: It is likely that there will be a whole year group trip to the Natural History Museum during the summer term as part of the Living Things module.

(*A textbook is provided)