Science
At Paston Ridings, we aim to support inquisitive young people who develop into critical thinkers. To do this, we have embraced the Cornerstones Curriculum, which weaves strong links between all strands of the curriculum. As well as delivering skill and knowledge-based lessons, we aim to foster an interest and curiosity in the world around them, through physical experience wherever possible. As a result of the spiral curriculum children have many opportunities throughout their educational journey at Paston Ridings to consolidate their scientific skills and knowledge. We value the importance of developing key life skills through enquiry based learning and therefore encourage students to work collaboratively, ask pertinent questions and integrate their ICT skills while linking their new learning to the world around them.
The Cornerstones units of study that each year group covers are as follows:
Year 1
What are parts of the body called?
What are my five senses?
Can I notice similarities and differences between types of plants?
Why do I need to exercise and eat healthy food?
What does a seed and a plant need to grow?
Why is water important to me?
Year 2
How does a toy car move?
Which items use electricity?
How do I make a simple circuit?
Can I identify if a material is living or non-living thing?
What happens when things heat up or cool down?
Where do different animals live?
Year 3
What is friction?
How do I measure forces?
Which forces are ‘pushes’ and which are ‘pulls’?
How does air resistance affect a moving object?
Can I use a switch in an electrical circuit?
How does a plant spread seeds?
How do plants and animals link in food chains?
Year 4
How do we see objects?
Can I change the direction light travels?
How does sound travel?
What is the difference between pitch and volume?
How does exercise affect my body?
What changes do I notice when materials are heated?
What are the major organs of the body?
Year 5
What are the properties of different materials?
How can I find out the properties of materials?
What happens when different substances are mixed liquids or heated?
Can I separate substances in different ways?
Can I classify plants and animals?
What are the main stages in both animal and plant life cycles?
What factors might affect a food chain?
Year 6
How do the earth and moon move in relation to the sun?
What is the effect of gravity on objects?
Do objects weigh more or less in water?
How big and how far away is the sun in relation to other planets?
How can I find out the differences between types of rocks and soils?
How do shadows form and how do they change?
Which materials are the best insulators?