Y7 Parent communication and teacher guide 2012-2013
Overview of the year
YEAR 7
The year begins with a topic called ‘Becoming a Scientist’. Through a range of
experiments students are introduced to a variety of Scientific Skills whilst at the same
time developing their personal skills. Feedback will be given on how students have
settled into Science and from the first investigation entitled ‘Jelly’. As the year
progresses Scientific Skills remain a focus but are developed through the lenses of
some of the Big Ideas of Science. In term 1 students study The World Around Us
through the lenses of Change (Chemical Reactions) and Diversity (Ecology). Each
topic has a key assessment and an end of topic test. The scores from these will
inform the progress card. At the end of term 1 progress in the development of
Scientific Skills will be demonstrated through a full inquiry.
In term 2 students continue with the development of their Scientific Skills through the
lenses of Energy (electrical circuits), Particles and Systems (cells and reproduction).
Their Scientific Skills will be assessed through a full investigation. Assessment of the
individual topics will be through key homework activities and written tests.
In term 3 the focus is ‘The world around us’ and students will explore Forces in some
depth. An end of topic test and an assessment of students’ scientific skills through a
final challenge on ‘Winged Suits’ will complete the year. Throughout the year the
development of each student’s skills will be evidenced by work in their portfolio.
Key to terms used in the documents
MaD= Making a difference
ARR= Assessment and Reporting
KU = knowledge and Understanding
D = Design
DCP= Data Collection and Processing
CE = Concluding and Evaluating
1
Term 1
The year begins with a topic called ‘Becoming a Scientist’. Through a range of
experiments students are introduced to a variety of Scientific Skills whilst at the same
time developing their personal skills. Feedback will be given on how students have
settled into Science and from the first investigation entitled ‘Jelly’. As the year
progresses Scientific Skills remain a focus and they are developed through the
lenses of some of the Big Ideas of Science. In term 1 students study The World
Around Us through the lenses of Change (Chemical Reactions) and Diversity
(Ecology). Each topic has a key assessment and an end of topic test. The scores
from these will inform the progress card. Towards the end of term 1 progress in the
development of Scientific Skills will be demonstrated through a full inquiry.
*Please find below the proposed learning and assessment guide for Term 1
Term 1 20-8-2012 to 21-12-2012
Topics to be
covered
Becoming a Scientist
Scientific skills
Becoming a Scientist
The World
around us
Chemical reactions (Change)
The World
around us
Ecology (Diversity)
Progress check
card 1 focus (Oct)
Progress check
card 2 focus (Nov)
Gateway ARR:
learning
conversations
Skills opportunities
Homework
Science literacy
40 min KU test: End of topic test. (ETT) Becoming a Scientist
40 min KU test: ETT Atoms, Chemical Reactions
Attitudes to learning: Settling in, working safely and MaD (where
appropriate)
Study habits: Organisation (Green book)
Becoming a Scientist: Working safely, Using equipment correctly,
Observing.
DCP and CE from Jelly Investigation,
D, DCP and CE - any from The World Around us
Minimum of 1 HW task per unit
Communicating scientific ideas
e.g. scientific diagrams, observations from Ecology
*The information above is a guide to the learning and assessment for term 1
and is subject to change in line with whole school developments.
2