Science at Grove
Please click on the below links to discover what the children are learning this term.
Autumn
Year 2: What is in your habitat?
Year 4: Where does all that food go?
Summer
EYFS
The children in Nursery and Reception have loved working with the school gardener weekly to plant seeds and see how they change over time. They have enjoyed watching the lifecycle of caterpillars whilst reading the Very Hungry Caterpillar and observing frog spawn hatching into tadpoles. They can’t wait to see these turn into frogs! They have continued their exploration of the seasons and are really confident in talking about how the trees and plants around them are changing as we enter Summer. The children have created their own bug lab in the role play area where they study and write about different minibeasts, whilst dressed in their homemade lab coats.
In Summer 1, Year 1 children worked with the school gardener to explore wild plants and garden plants and notice similarities and differences. They enjoyed learning about different roots when exploring what Rebecca Rabbit might see when she was underground.
The children in Year 2 enjoyed learning about the human life cycle and looking in depth at how they have changed since they were babies. Lots of the children really enjoyed sharing ideas from what they have observed at home. They also thought about the importance of eating healthily, exercise and hygiene.
Year 3 - How does my garden grow?
In Summer 1, the Year 3 children worked with the school gardener to explore plants. They used magnifying glasses to make close observations of different parts of a plant and carried out an experiment to find out what would happen if the leaves were removed. They also enjoyed exploring how the stem of a plant works by watching red food colouring travel through a plant, changing the colour of its petals.
In Summer 1, the Year 4 children had a wonderful time experimenting with electricity. They learnt how to use the circuit diagram symbols and could problem solve to find out why different circuits did not work. The children really enjoyed creating different types of switches and then adding these to their own circuits. They impressed all of their teachers when they were investigating electrical conductors and insulators to see what they could use to make their own wires.
In Summer 1, Year 5 explored the structure of the solar system: they loved drawing their own solar systems on the playground in chalk and talking about the orbits of the different planets. They enjoyed finding out about the cycle of the moon to solve a problem for Ted the angler, who needed to know whether there was a sequence to the patterns of the Moon’s shapes, as he liked to go fishing at night, but preferred to go if it was a Full, or nearly Full, Moon so that he could see more easily. By the end of the lesson, the children not only understood the Moon’s cycle but could also use calendars confidently to talk about dates Ted might expect to see different phases of the Moon.
The Year 6 children have enjoyed exploring classification in Summer 1 and 2. They created their own keys to sort vertebrates and invertebrates, showing real improvement in this. They also enjoyed learning about the different types of micro-organisms and looking in depth at the five kingdoms, when learning about the work of Carl Linnaeus.
Science Week 2023
We want our Science Week 2023 to be the best ever! So, with this in mind, we invited our wonderful parents in to sample some of our fantastic Science lessons. It was even more fun experimenting with them!
Nursery
In Nursery, the children made their own bubble blowing cup. They created a hole in a paper cup and secured a straw using tape. The children then added dish soap and water and blew into the straw. They loved seeing the results!
The children also ordered pictures to show the lifecycle of a chicken. They really enjoyed talking about their own experience of watching the chicks hatch in school while they did this.
Reception
In Reception, the children had a wonderful morning with their parents exploring a range of different experiments. They loved:
• testing different objects to see if they float or sink
• exploring what happens to skittles when they are put in water
• testing the effect of different materials on a ramp
• considering how best to look after our new pet fish
Year 1
Year 1 children have been exploring their senses. This week they focused on hearing by making and decorating their own string telephones. They loved experimenting with different dynamics with their parents to see if they could hear whispering too. The children are excited to complete a home challenge: experimenting with different size cups and lengths of string to see how far sounds can travel. They're thinking of trying out different rooms or from the top of the stairs to the bottom...
Year 2
Year 2 had great fun investigating healthy and unhealthy plants with their parents. They used their scientific knowledge to predict why the plants were unhealthy- some of the plants had been left in the cold, some had no water and some needed sunlight.
The children then used books and their knowledge to decide how to treat the plant and bring it back to health.
Year 3
The children in Year 3 were excited to explore skeletons this week: they thought carefully about which animals are vertebrates and invertebrates. They were able to sort the animals beautifully and talk about 'exoskeletons' confidently.
Year 4
The children in Year 4 enjoyed exploring what happens when yeast is added to a sugar and water solution. They were so excited and surprised when the balloons on their bottle began to inflate and were brilliant at speaking about carbon dioxide being produced as a waste gas by the end of the lesson. What fantastic scientists!
Year 5
Year 5 are currently completing their ‘Body Pump’ topic, and loved having their parents help them to make models of the heart. They have already been blood cells moving around the circulatory system (earlier in the topic) so were able to use some fantastic scientific vocabulary during their labelling. Thank you to all parents who attended for their support- it was lovely to hear you say:
"I enjoyed the model making with clay. All the students in the class enjoyed it so much. I loved it!"
Year 6
Year 6 are currently loving their Light topic, and spent this lesson investigating (with their parents) how they could use mirrors to direct light around an object so it could be seen. They then really enjoyed making periscopes and discovering how and why they work!
Spring
EYFS- Nursery and Reception
Spring 1 has seen a focus on Winter across the Early Years Foundation Stage. The curriculum encouraged pupils to consider the plants in the outdoor environment and develop their questioning, “What can they see?”, “What can’t they see?”, “Why might that be?” A timeline was created of a tree and a bush in the outdoor environment to support the pupils to monitor and discuss change. Pupils responded eagerly to this and expressed an interest in photographing winter trees and making comparisons between deciduous and evergreen. These key words became part of their vocabulary.
The weather greatly supported curriculum delivery this Spring 1 with the snow arriving in time for the study of arctic animals and the key text, ‘Percy the Park Keeper: One Snowy Night.’ First-hand experiences enabled pupils to engage with the weather with delight. The resulting questioning and deepening of understanding amazed staff. In reception, pupils explored ice using brushes, clothes and sponges in an attempt to release the artic animal trapped within. Staff recorded the development of understanding, “How will be get it out?”, “Let’s use the sponges”, “I know, let’s put hot water from the tap on it.” When asked why this might work pupils responded, “Ice doesn’t like the hot water and it melts.” A positive example of the curriculum engaging the pupils and enabling them to develop a scientific approach to their learning.
Pupils have also explored making winter homes for animals found in Forest School and bird feeders to provide winter food for birds they can now name.
Year 1
Make and Do Extravaganza (Materials)
During their Make and Do Extravaganza, the children have looked at a range of objects to distinguish what material it is made from. The children grouped and classified objects according to which material they were made from including glass, brick, stone, water, metal and plastic. They developed their ability to describe the simple physical properties of each of the materials. The children conducted an experiment using different materials to see which would make the best waterproof coat for the class bear and were able to use their scientific knowledge to explain their reasoning to others.
Scan the QR code below to hear Ibraheem talking about the properties of some of the materials he explored this term:
Year 3
The Power of Forces
In Spring 1, the Year 3 pupils had the opportunity to explore friction and magnetism through a range of practical experiments. The children spoke with great enthusiasm about these experiments: they particularly enjoyed a fair test where they were investigating which would be the strongest magnet. Hands on Science came into school to work with the children during this topic: the children loved being able to apply their knowledge of forces to develop their own mini racers.
Year 4
Science in a state
In Spring 1, Year 4 took part in a range of experiments such as: investigating how quickly different shapes of ice melt, observing how quickly different solids melt and investigating how the rate of evaporation is linked to temperature. It was clear from the children’s books that they had thought really carefully about the variables in their experiments, and how they could make them a ‘fair test’.
Scan the QR code below to hear Ayaat talk about her favourite Science lesson this term:
Year 5
The Circle of Life
During Spring 1, the Year 5 children really enjoyed, and excelled, in their research on different life cycles, presenting these in a range of forms and using these to draw conclusions. Their letter to new albatross parents was a real highlight: the children used their fantastic research skills to find out what the new parents could expect over their chick's first years, and wrote about this in a really engaging, supportive way (see the example below).
Year 6
Danger Low Voltage!
During Year 6’s electricity topic, the children demonstrated the ability to carry out a range of fair tests to investigate how the number of cells, lamps, buzzers or the use of resistance wire affected a circuit. The children were always delighted when they were able to use their circuit to make a scientific discovery.
Scan the QR code below to hear Gursirath talk about how she investigated how the brightness of a bulb is affected as more bulbs are added to a circuit:
Autumn
Nursery
The children in Nursery have continued to explore the signs of Autumn and Winter in our eco garden this term. They have helped their teachers sort clothing to decide what they would wear during the different seasons and are selecting appropriate clothes to wear when going outdoors to play. The children have been drawing and labelling parts of the body and considering how their body is similar or different to their friend’s. They have loved taking part in cooking activities and thinking about what changed and stayed the same when cooking their soup.
Reception
Our children in Reception have been exploring different signs of Autumn and Winter. They have loved collecting leaves, conkers and acorns, and comparing these to the items in their treasure box from the first half of the Autumn Term. They have grouped these items based on their characteristics and used these in a range of art projects. The children have also been exploring magnetism: they loved finding out which items in the classroom were magnetic and what these had in common. The children have enjoyed learning about hibernation: they can now talk about which animals hibernate and why they do this.
Year 1
Sensing Seasons
This term, the Year 1 children have been exploring Autumn as part of their ‘Sensing Seasons’ topic. They have investigated the best clothes to wear for the season and looked at how we can use symbols to represent the weather on different days. They have considered how the weather is different in different parts of the country, and then considered how this would affect your clothing choices. The children loved going on an Autumn walk to collect evidence of the time of the year: they found some fantastic pine cones, autumn leaves and looked at a range of different seeds.
Year 2
Materials: Good choices and shaping up
This term, the children have been investigating the properties of different materials. They read ‘the Wooly saucepan’ poem by Michael Rosen and thought about why each item was not well suited for its purpose. They then carried out a fair test to investigate the best fabric to make a hard-wearing pair of dungarees, looking at which fabric they could rub a hole in the quickest. The children looked at a range of different materials and thought about how they could test these to find out what actions change the shape of an object (which objects could we squash, twist, bend and stretch).
Year 3
Can you see me?
This term, Year 3 pupils have thoroughly enjoyed their light topic. They have investigated shiny and dull objects, and why some objects are easier to see than others. The children enjoyed investigating what happens when we shine a torch onto a mirror, and then looking at how other objects reflect light. They are very confident in speaking about opaque, translucent and transparent objects and have investigated how shadows change during the day. Their favourite experiment was based around investigating what the best material for making a pair of sunglasses was.
Year 4
Good Vibrations
This term, the Year 4 children have investigated how loudness and pitch can be changed using different instruments. They have used tuning forks to think deeply about sound being caused by vibrations. The children created their own pair of ‘ear gongs’ to test how sound moves through different materials. This was a huge highlight for them! The Year 4 pupils have successfully used data loggers to investigate the statement ‘sounds get fainter as the distance from the sound source increases’ and created their own instruments to investigate how to change the pitch of plucked elastic bands.
Year 5
Materials
Year 5 pupils have continued investigating materials this term. The have been investigating reversible and non-reversible reactions by carrying out a range of experiments; their favourite was testing a selection of solids and liquids to find out which is likely to provide the best mix to inflate their plastic glove. They have looked at what liquids are most effective at preventing rusting to solve the ‘Lucy’s birthday bike’ challenge and have investigated how long a candle burns in different sized jars. Finally, they have created their own ‘pocket rockets’ using effervescent tablets.
Year 6
Everything Changes
The Year 6 pupils have thoroughly enjoying their Evolution and Inheritance topic. They have learnt how a fossil is formed and have considered adaptations of different animals to their environment and how this causes natural selection. They have investigated selective breeding: they decided which parent dogs to breed to create offspring with particular traits. The children impressed us all with their work on speciation, clearly applying their prior learning when writing their explanation of this tricky concept.
Autumn
EYFS
In Reception and Nursery, the children have been exploring the season through exciting Autumn walks, where they have enjoyed collecting signs of Autumn in their ‘treasure boxes’. These have been used to create artwork (based on Autumn leaves), to explore further with magnifying glasses and to support with their counting. The children have also enjoyed taking part in some exciting experiments to find out about their senses: their favourite was using their sense of smell to predict different flavours of crisps. The children have amazed their teachers as they are already beginning to say ‘why’ in their predictions. They have thoroughly enjoyed their work with the school gardener: hunting for minibeasts and planting bulbs which they will revisit in the Spring term.
Scan the QR code below to hear Marley talk about his Autumn discoveries.
Year 2
What's in your habitat?
Year 2 have been learning about habitats this term. They have enjoyed exploring different microhabitats, predicting what minibeasts they thought they might see, and why.
Their favourite lesson was based around identifying minibeasts that live inside our school pond: the children loved hunting through the pond water samples and studying the water boatmen with their magnifying glasses.
The children also enjoyed using some of their favourite stories to create food chains, before designing their own.
Scan the QR code below to hear Ayaan talk about a food chain he created.
Year 3
Rock Detectives
Year 3 have been learning about rocks this term. They have particularly enjoyed using the microscopes to look closely at different types of soil and setting up ‘fair test’ experiments to find out how waterproof different rocks are. The children’s ability to identify different types of rocks using a key is very impressive.
Scan the QR code below to hear Myra use the key she created to classify a rock.
Year 4
Where does all that food go?
Year 4 have been finding out about the digestive system and their teeth. The ‘Hands on Science’ workshop was a definite highlight for this year group: they loved learning about the function of all of their teeth and making a model of them to take home. They also thoroughly enjoyed replicating the process of digestion by sending a mixture of crackers and orange juice through tights. A messy but thoroughly enjoyable experience for the children, and one which we know they still talk about years later! The pupils’ excellent investigative skills were evident in a fair test experiment where they observed the effect of different liquids on egg shell.
Scan the QR code below to hear Vivaan talk about what he predicted what happen in this experiment, and what he found.
Year 5
Marvellous Mixtures
Year 5 pupils have been completing a Marvellous Mixture topic, looking at separating, dissolving and evaporating. The children have thoroughly enjoyed setting up their own experiments to solve a problem posed by the teacher. They were very excited to see the results of their ‘observation over time’ experiment- seeing if they can use the process of evaporation to separate salt and water. They have also enjoyed investigating how different variables affect the rate that different substances dissolve.
Scan the QR code below to hear Riya talk about what she did and what they found out.
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Grove School
Dawson Road
Handsworth
Birmingham
B21 9HB
Telephone: 0121 464 4669
