Science
Intent
At Cotmanhay Junior School, we aim to develop children's natural curiosity about the world around them through a practical, engaging and knowledge-rich science curriculum. Using the White Rose Science scheme, we provide children with opportunities to explore scientific concepts through scientific enquiry, investigation and discussion, enabling them to build secure scientific knowledge and understanding over time.
The teachers at Cotmanhay Junior School use the White Rose Science scheme to develop their subject knowledge and pedagogical confidence, to allow them to plan, deliver and review knowledge rich, engaging and purposeful lessons. Working alongside the scheme teachers have designed a curriculum that is carefully sequences, inclusive and ambitious, ensuring all pupils are equipped to understand the world around them, make informed decisions and develop a lifelong interest in science.
The curriculum also aims to raise aspirations by introducing pupils to a diverse range of scientific careers, helping them recognise the important role science plays in society and the opportunities it offers for the future.
Implementation
Before the lesson begins, children will engage in a sticky quiz, these quizzes are designed to activate long-term memory by reinforcing key knowledge and allowing children to create connections between their past and current learning.
Lesson Structure
What is Science?
What jobs might a Scientist do?
What are we learning this term?
Children will be invited to look in their books at the title page stuck in at the beginning of the current topic. Here they will identify and discuss the big question they are answering this half term with a quick recap of the small questions they have previously learnt.
For example:
Which area of Science are we looking at this term?
Biology 
Physics
Chemistry
Reactivate it:
At the beginning of the lesson children will complete a reactivate activity to reinforce key knowledge from the current (new) learning. Reactivate activities are varied in each lesson to keep the start of the lesson engaging and fun while still supporting active recall, they are also used as opportuntities for teachers to address misconceptions.
For example:
Learn it:
The learn it part of the lesson provides the children with the new learning they need in order to answer the lessons small question. Teachers have adapted the White Rose Science scheme PowerPoints to allow for full coverage of
Apply it:
Apply it activities are a mixture of White Rose Science
Prove it:
The prove it activity is completed mid-way through the lesson and is designed to assess the children's understanding of the current (new) learning to allow for teachers to address any misconceptions live and in the moment.
Review it:
The review it activity is completed at the end of each lesson for children to reflect and consolidate their learning. The activities vary lesson to lesson, but may include: discussions, exit tickets, quizzes. Teachers use the responses from this activity to edit any upcoming reactivate it activities to address continuing misconceptions.