Building Blocks for Science A simple strategy for consistently developing scientific skills throughout the year

Notes about Building Blocks Building blocks have been designed to be a simple, systematic way for ensuring progression in scientific skills Building blocks have been designed to make the ‘headline’ skills easy to remember and use for both teachers and pupils Building blocks are not a complete statement in themselves. You will have to look for further detail in ‘Scientific Skills Expectations’ for each year group. Building blocks have been created by Claire Holt, Primary Science Consultant, Bradford Achievement Service and Gemma Hargraves, Thornbury Primary School

Year 3 Spring  Observe  Describe  Compare  Test ideas  Record  Measure  Research  Explain  Communicate Autumn  Observe  Describe  Compare  Ask questions  Test ideas  Record  Measure  Communicate Summer  Observe  Describe  Compare  Test ideas  Record  Measure  Research  Explain  Plan fair tests  Evaluate  Communicate Using and applying maths, reading and writing skills Spoken and written language

Year 4 Spring  Observe  Describe  Compare  Test ideas  Record  Measure  Research  Explain  Plan fair tests  Evaluate Autumn  Observe  Describe  Compare  Test ideas  Record  Measure  Research  Explain Summer  Observe  Describe  Compare  Test ideas  Record  Measure  Research  Explain  Plan fair tests  Evaluate  Identify patterns in data Using and applying maths, reading and writing skills Spoken and written language

Year 5 Spring  Observe  Describe  Compare  Test ideas  Record  Measure  Research  Explain  Plan fair tests  Evaluate  Identify patterns in data Autumn  Observe  Describe  Compare  Test ideas  Record  Measure  Research  Explain  Evaluate  Plan fair tests Summer  Observe  Describe  Compare  Classify  Test ideas  Record  Measure  Research  Explain  Plan fair tests  Evaluate  Identify patterns in data  Interpret data Using and applying maths, reading and writing skills Spoken and written language

Year 6 Spring  Observe  Describe  Compare  Classify  Test ideas  Record  Measure  Research  Explain  Plan fair tests  Evaluate  Identify patterns in data  Interpret data Autumn  Observe  Describe  Compare  Test ideas  Record  Measure  Research  Explain  Evaluate  Plan fair tests  Identify patterns in data Summer  Observe  Describe  Compare  Classify  Test ideas  Record  Measure  Research  Explain  Plan fair tests  Evaluate  Identify patterns in data  Interpret data  Consider accuracy and reliability in data Using and applying maths, reading and writing skills Spoken and written language