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Practical Ideas for Assessing Pupils’ Progress in Science

Finstall Centre 20th September 2010Charlotte Walmsley

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2Primary Science APP

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Investigating Materials

• Give children an interesting bag of materials to look at and talk about

• AF1 – Thinking Scientifically (L2)• Draw on observations and ideas to offer answers to questions• Make comparisons between basic features or components of

objects, living things or events• Sort and group objects, living things or events based on what

they have observed.

• AF3 – Communicating and collaborating in science (L2)• Use simple scientific vocabulary to describe their ideas and

observations

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Science Investigation Cards

• http://clg.coventry.gov.uk/ccm/csln/private/curriculum/science-file-storage-items/primary-science-file-store/science-speak-investigation-cards.en

• Produced by Coventry LA

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Use the Investigation cards to discuss the following problem

Joe and Fred want to find out how they can make their Go kart go as far as possible.

They are trying to think of all the things they could do to make the Go kart give them a

really long ride.

They would like to know what will have the biggest affect on the distance that they travel.

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Assessment Focus Skills Strand Links

• AF4 – Using Investigative Approaches (L3)• Identify one or more control variables in investigations from

those provided.• Select equipment or information sources from those provided to

address a question or idea under investigation.• Make some accurate observations or whole number

measurements relevant to questions or ideas under investigation.

• AF5 – Working Critically with evidence (L3)• Identify straightforward patterns in observations or in data

presented in various formats, including tables, pie and bar charts • Describe what they have found out in experiments or

investigations, linking cause and effect • Suggest improvements to their working methods

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Daisy, Daisy

Activity reproduced from Lincolnshire School Improvement service materials.

• Cut out paper flower, then fold petals (not creased too sharply) into the centre.

• Place paper flower on to a plate of water.

What Assessment Focuses could this simple activity help you to assess?

7Primary Science APP

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Primary Upd8

• www.primaryupd8.org.uk

• Standard yearly subscription - £120 + VAT• ASE member yearly subscription - £30 + VAT

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Getting to Grips with Graphs

£36(or £30 with ASE

membership)Available from ASE website.

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Getting to Grips with Graphs

• AF1 – Thinking scientifically (L4)• Use scientific ideas when describing simple

processes or phenomena• Identify scientific evidence that is being used to

support or refute ideas or arguments

• AF5 – Working critically with evidence (L4)• Identify patterns in data presented in various formats,

including line graphs.• Draw straight forward conclusions from data

presented in various formats.

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More Useful Resources

• Science Enquiry Games• Concept cartoons• Active Assessment(all three available from Millgate House Publishing) • Smart Science(available from

http://www.personalcapabilities.co.uk/smartscience/

• Science in the news – Edulink Science Resources