This year our school is re-launching their Science Program by linking to the 'Primary Connections' education program.
The program is an innovative approach to teaching and learning which aims to enhance primary school teachers’ confidence and competence for teaching science. Importantly, it also aligns itself with the new Australian National Curriculum.
A partnership between the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, PrimaryConnections focuses on developing students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in both science and literacy.
The PrimaryConnections 5Es teaching and learning model is based on the theory that students learn best when they are allowed to work out explanations for themselves over time through a variety of learning experiences structured by the teacher. Students use their prior knowledge to make sense of these experiences and then make connections between new information and their prior knowledge. To help students make the connections between what they already know and new information, each PrimaryConnections unit uses five phases:
Engage
Each unit begins with a lesson that mentally engages students with an activity or question. It captures their interest, provides an opportunity for them to express what they know about the concept or skill being developed, and helps them to make connections between what they know and the new ideas.
Explore
Students carry out hands-on activities in which they can explore the concept or skill. They grapple with the problem or phenomenon and describe it in their own words. This phase allows students to acquire a common set of experiences that they can use to help each other make sense of the new concept or skill.
Explain
Only after students have explored the concept or skill does the teacher provide the concepts and terms used by the students to develop explanations for the phenomenon they have experienced. The significant aspect of this phase is that explanation follows experience.
Elaborate
This phase provides opportunities for students to apply what they have learned to new situations and so develop a deeper understanding of the concept or greater use of the skill. It is important for students to discuss and compare their ideas with each other during this phase.
Evaluate
The final phase provides an opportunity for students to review and reflect on their own learning and new understanding and skills. It is also when students provide evidence for changes to their understanding, beliefs and skills.
In Year 3, we will be looking at the following units of work:
- Biological Sciences: Feathers, fur or leaves?
- Chemical Sciences: Melting moments
- Earth and Space Science: Spinning in space
- Physical Science: Heating up
Year 4 will be undertaking these units of work:
- Biological Sciences: Plants in action
- Chemical Sciences: Material world
- Earth and Space Science: Beneath our feet
- Physical Science: Smooth moves
You can visit the Primary Connections curriculum page here.
