An Inch Deep and a Mile Wide?

The curriculum is packed with knowledge – we are usually confronted with a choice: do I teach each concept deeply, … More

Trialing Rich and Connected Science Texts

My Trust (Paradigm) is trialing short Read-Aloud texts in KS2 science lessons. Each unit has 6 short teacher read-alouds which: … More

Reading for Learning or Learning for Reading?

Back in 2014, when I started this blog, I was a primary school teacher with a special interest in science … More

Attempting to Make Sense of “Working Scientifically” in the English National Curriculum.

For years I have struggled with teaching “Working Scientifically” in science lessons. It is a core strand from Key Stage … More

Should We Use Explicit Teaching Approaches or Enquiry Methods in Primary Science: Does the EEFs New Primary Science Guidance Report Tell Us?

Last week (28th November 2023) the Education Endowment Foundation published its long-awaited Improving Primary Science Guidance Report. We now have … More

Using story books to overturn science misconceptions in young children

This is an amazing piece of research. The researchers were able to show that children as young as four are … More

Primary Science is Great for Creativity…

Einstein said: “Imagination is more important than knowledge,” but Einstein wasn’t a cognitive scientist and he was only half right. … More

How to ‘Rosenshine’ Your Primary Science Lessons

I have created a mini-workbook to go with this post in case it is helpful: here. If you haven’t heard … More

Where Does Enquiry Belong?

Short answer: in science lessons, use enquiry once pupils already know the content.  You might ask: Why use a pedagogical … More

A Comparison of Two National Year 6 Science Assessments

The Independent Schools Examination Board: Common Entrance Examination at 11+ (Science) Below is the 2018 common entrance exam taken at … More