St Thomas More Catholic School Science Wednesday 14th November, 2018

Overview How do we teach Science? How is my child assessed? How can I help my child? Where can I find more help? Who can I talk to?

How do we teach Science? KS3: Years 7-9 6 Science lessons per fortnight 2 Biology 2 Chemistry 2 Physics Taught as separate subjects Usually different specialist teacher for each Science is a core subject and is taught to all students from year 7 through to year 11. in KS3 students have 6 science lessons per fortnight and these are taught as separate so 2 each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. We are fortunate to have specialist teachers for each science and so students are usually taught by 3 different teachers. Occasionally classes have two teachers with one teacher teaching two disciplines.

How do we teach Science? KS4: Years 10 -11 Combined Science 8 Science lessons per fortnight 2 in each science subject two additional rota lessons which change from biology to chemistry to physics over a roughly ten week cycle. Separate Science Option 12 Science lessons per fortnight 4 for each science subject each taught by a specialist teacher Not just for most able - for anyone who is interested and is thinking of doing science in the future All students in year 10 and 11 study science. They currently either study combined science which is 2 GCSE’s at the end of year 11 or opt for the 3 separate sciences which are 3 GCSES.

How do we assess students? Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Key assessments Key assessments Key assessments Overall stage set for year 8 End of year exam In each science subject there are 3 modules that are approximately 10 week blocks. Within each module there are key assessments that students complete. These inform staff and are used to provide the data that is reported as well. Formative feedback is given on these key assessments and students are expected to correct them. At the end of the year in module 3, the key assessments from the year are combined to give the overall stage for the year. As well, students will sit an end of year exam in each of the 3 subjects. The marks for these are combined and used to provide a rank of all students across the two half year groups T and M. These marks and the overall stage are used to set students for year 8.

Types of assessment Classwork & Homework Posters Scientific Writing Extended homework Practical investigations Calculations Research Tasks Posters Written End of Unit Test Students will be assessed in different ways - not all in the same module but whichever is/are most appropriate to the topic they’re studying.

Quantitative analysis with multiple steps This diagram shows progression in the development of student’s scientific thinking - from concrete observations to abstract explanation of scientific phenomena. The progression each child makes depends on their starting level with the aim for all to be reaching stage 4 and 5 by the end of year 9.

How can I help my child? Encourage their enthusiasm and curiosity Ask them about what they are learning and get them to explain their ideas. Encourage sons and daughters equally Take your child to museums, exhibits, presentations etc Help them make links between school science and the world around them NEWCASTLE UNI: Scientists look at the world and ask why things happen. Key to helping students develop a scientific mindset is to encourage them to think critically about how and why things happen. Being able to explain ideas verbally helps students express themselves in words If you can - take your child to museums, exhibits, lectures etc - we live in a city with a wealth of opportunities for this including the Great North museum and the Discovery museum which are free entry, as well as the Centre for life which charges but has changing exhibits. There are also lectures and presentations regularly at the universities e.g. there is a Chemistry week lecture on the ‘Chemistry of the Senses’ at Newcastle University, Durham Uni runs science activities during October half term Make links between school science and science around them in newspapers, books and TV programmes

How can I help my child with homework? If they don’t know what to do – read through the assignment and help them work out what to do Suggest ways to help find the answers Encourage your child to take questions back to the teacher if they don’t understand Help them to learn facts IT is ok to support your child with homework, both emotionally and practically - ensure that they use their diary to record homework and check they know what to do. If they have poor writing, they could take a photo on a phone (ask first) Suggest ways of finding out the answers if they don’t know - look answers up in a book, or on the internet. Help them choose the most appropriate websites e.g. BBC Bitesize Encourage them to take any questions back to their teacher - they could write these in the back of their exercise book or on a post it if they’re not sure Help them learn the key facts - flashcards are useful - there are online versions of these or classic cards - and test them If

Quizlet BBC Bitesize School website You tube Resources Quizlet BBC Bitesize School website You tube Useful resources - quizlet is a flashcard website - need to sign up but it’s free BBC bitesize - lots of age appropriate resources School website has the curriculum plans and progress ladders You tube has lots of useful videos - from experiments to explanations

Any questions? Science / Chemistry cking@stthomasmore.org.uk Physics lclack@stthomasmore.org.uk Biology pjewitt@stthomasmore.org.uk