In Year 2 our children enjoy hands-on, practical Science learning and we focus on the following working scientifically skills:
- asking simple questions
- observing closely, using simple equipment
- performing simple tests
- identifying and classifying
- using observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
- gathering and recording data to help in answering questions
Uses of materials
Intended outcomes for this unit:
- Children will be able to identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses.
- They will find out how the shapes of solid objects made from some materials can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching.
Living things and their habitats
Intended outcomes for this unit:
- Children will be able to explore and compare the differences between things that are living, dead, and things that have never been alive.
- They will be able to identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other.
- Children will be taught how to identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including microhabitats.
- They will be able to describe how animals obtain their food from plants and other animals, using the idea of a simple food chain, and identify and name different sources of food.
Plants
Intended outcomes for this unit:
- Children will be able to observe and describe how seeds and bulbs grow into mature plants.
- They will find out and describe how plants need water, light and a suitable temperature to grow and stay healthy.
Animals including humans
Intended outcomes for this unit:
- Children will be able to notice that animals, including humans, have offspring which grow into adults.
- They will find out about, and describe, the basic needs of animals, including humans, for survival (water, food and air).
- Children will be able to describe the importance for humans of exercise, eating the right amounts of different types of food, and hygiene.