Framework for teaching science

Key Stage 3 National Strategy

Framework for teaching science: Years 7, 8 and 9

2 Framework for teaching science: Years 7, 8 and 9

? Crown copyright 2002

Foreword

Science is diverse and exciting. It helps pupils to explore the world around them and understand so many things that have such relevance to daily life. Pupils must, therefore, have the best possible support for learning science at school.

Science is an integral part of our Key Stage 3 Strategy for strengthening standards in the early years of secondary education. We began this national strategy with English and mathematics, and the Frameworks we published for those subjects have been widely welcomed by teachers. The spotlight now moves ? appropriately in Science Year ? to the teaching and learning of science.

The Framework for teaching science: Years 7, 8 and 9 will help teachers to teach engaging, challenging and inspiring lessons, and to establish high expectations for their pupils. It draws on the DfES/QCA scheme of work for science, and explains the ideas underlying the National Curriculum programme of study.

Like all our materials for the Key Stage 3 Strategy, teachers have played an important role in their development, and the science Framework is based on best practice and the experiences of pilot schools and other partners. We want schools to make a professional judgement about how to use it, depending on their own current ways of working and development needs.

I hope you will see the science Framework to be a valuable resource that supports good teaching and learning. Through the Key Stage 3 Strategy we have embarked on an ambitious programme for our 11- to 14-year-olds but, with teachers' continuing support and commitment, we are confident about its success.

The Rt Honourable Estelle Morris MP Secretary of State for Education and Skills April 2002

3 Framework for teaching science: Years 7, 8 and 9

? Crown copyright 2002

4 Framework for teaching science: Years 7, 8 and 9

? Crown copyright 2002

Contents

1 Introduction

7

What the Strategy involves

7

About this Framework

7

2 Science at Key Stage 3

11

The science curriculum

11

The approach to teaching science

11

Scientific enquiry

11

The five key scientific ideas

14

Progression in Key Stage 3 science

22

Yearly teaching objectives in Key Stage 3 science

24

3 Raising standards in science

31

The role of the subject leader

32

4 Planning

35

Long-term and medium-term plans

35

Short-term or lesson plans

37

A sample lesson

37

5 Teaching and learning strategies

41

Teaching time

41

The focus on direct, interactive teaching

41

Effective science lessons

43

Using ICT in Key Stage 3 science

46

6 Assessment and target setting

49

Short-term assessments

49

Medium-term assessments

51

Long-term assessments

52

7 Inclusion and differentiation

55

Differentiation in whole-class oral and mental work

55

Differentiation in written work and homework

56

Able pupils and those who are gifted and talented

56

Pupils who make less than expected progress

57

Pupils who need help with English, including EAL learners

58

Pupils with special educational needs (SEN)

59

Using teaching assistants, including support for SEN and EAL

62

Using the science Framework in special schools

63

8 Related publications and websites

65

Appendix 1 From Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3

67

Appendix 2 Yearly teaching objectives for scientific enquiry (Sc1)

71

Appendix 3 Scientific vocabulary

73

5 Framework for teaching science: Years 7, 8 and 9

? Crown copyright 2002

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