Progression

Year Group

Standardised Objectives

Year N

The Natural World

• Use all their senses in hands-on exploration of natural materials.
• Explore collections of materials with similar and/or different properties.
• Talk about what they see, using a wide vocabulary.
• Explore how things work
• Talk about the differences between materials and changes they notice.

Listening, attention and understanding

• Understand ‘why’ questions, like: “Why do you think the caterpillar got so fat?”

Speaking

• Be able to express a point of view and to debate when they disagree with an adult or a friend, using words as well as actions.

The Natural World

• Explore how things work
• Plant seeds and care for growing plants.
• Understand the key features of the life cycle of a plant and an animal.
• Begin to understand the need to respect and care for the natural environment and all living things.
• Explore and talk about different forces they can feel.

Year R

ELG The Natural World

• Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants
• Know some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class
• Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter.

ELG Listening, attention and understanding

• Listen attentively and respond to what they hear with relevant questions, comments and actions when being read to and during whole class discussions and small group interactions
• Make comments about what they have heard and ask questions to clarify their understanding

ELG Speaking

• Offer explanations for why things might happen, making use of recently introduced vocabulary

ELG Self Regulation

• Set and work towards simple goals, being able to wait for what they want and control their immediate impulses when appropriate

ELG The Natural World

• Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter

ELG The Natural World

• Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants

Year 1

• Start to observe closely
• Start to ask and suggest answers to simple scientific questions
• Use first-hand practical experiences to find answers
• Begin to gather and record data simply using words and pictures
• Perform simple tests with support
• Begin to use simple equipment
• Start to discuss what they have found out

Year 3

• Develop skills of systematic observation
• Ask relevant scientific questions and suggest how to answer eg practical test v secondary source
• Develop different types of scientific enquiry
• Gather, record and present data in a variety of ways eg drawings, labelled diagrams, charts
• Report on findings orally and in writing using scientific language
• Set up simple, practical enquiries
• Understand comparative and fair tests
• Use range of equipment to measure accurately
• Use results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions and raise further questions
• Identify similarities, differences and changes related to scientific processes and ideas

Year 4

• Make systematic observations
• Generate and answer scientific questions using evidence
• Select most appropriate type of scientific enquiry
• Gather, record, classify and present data in a variety of ways
• Report on findings orally and in writing using accurate scientific language
• Suggest, set up and carry out simple practical enquiries
• Understand comparative and fair tests
• Confidently use a range of equipment to measure accurately
• Use results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions and raise further questions
• Identify similarities, differences and changes related to scientific processes and ideas

Year 5

• Independently decide which observations to make
• Use science experiences to plan different types of enquiry
• Record data/results of increasing complexity using diagrams, classifications keys, tables, bar and line graphs
• Report and present findings from enquiries examining causal relationships and reliability of results
• Recognise and control variables where necessary
• Take measurements using a range of scientific  equipment with accuracy and precision
• Use test results to make predictions to set up further tests
• Identify scientific evidence that has been used to support/refute arguments

Year 6

• Independently decide which observations to make
• Use science experiences to explore ideas and raise different types of question
• Plan different types of scientific enquiry to answer questions
• Decide how to record data/results of increasing complexity
• Report and present findings from enquiries examining causal relationships and reliability of results
• Recognise and control variables where necessary
• Explain which variables need to be controlled and why
• Take measurements using a range of scientific
• equipment with accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings where appropriate
• Use test results to make predictions to set up further tests (comparative/fair) and explain reasoning
• Identify scientific evidence that has been used to support/refute arguments