Now in its Third Edition, this text provides the background knowledge primary teachers need to plan effective programmes of work and answer children′s questions with confidence. The new edition links explanations of scientific concepts with children′s everyday experiences to help teachers and trainees foresee how they will present the subject knowledge to their pupils. Shaped by the National Curriculum, this text explains key scientific theories and concepts which pupils at primary level, including very able children, need in order to understand the observations and investigations they undertake. A CD ROM of 200 science investigations for young students is included with the new edition, allowing teachers to explore the practical application of topics covered in the book. This is an essential book for teachers, student teachers and anyone interested in the roots and growth of science education.

Many primary teachers need help with their personal subject knowledge in science. Now that there is a nationally published scheme of work for science in primary schools, many teachers also need help in constructing lesson plans in order to cover all of the themes and possible activities in the scheme. Designed with those needs in mind, this book provides practical help in the form of sample lesson plans together with linked background subject knowledge for each of the science topics in the primary national curriculum. Each chapter has sample lesson plans for four different age-groups: reception, years 1-2, years 3-4 and years 5-6.

The book discusses the complex nature of understanding and what it means to teach for understanding. The processes and strategies that can support teaching for understanding are then exemplified in the context of different areas of the primary / elementary (4-11 years) school curriculum.

This book provides an exceptional insight into how children learn science, as well as which teaching approaches have been found to be most successful. Drawing on the significant body of research carried out over the past 35 years, the book provides valuable evidence about which tried-and–tested approaches enhance learning and help children actually learn science. The book:• supports you in becoming more effective in teaching primary science• offers a reliable evidential base, founded on significant research findings• helps you make informed choices about which approaches to use in your teaching repertoire• provides support for completing your written assignments Overall the text helps you develop your knowledge and understanding of primary science, as well as how best to plan for teaching this important subject. Insights into how children best learn science, together with practical teaching ideas that have been tested in a systematic way, makes this an essential book for primary teachers in training and an invaluable guide for primary teachers teaching science in Key Stages One and Two. “This book makes a major, evidence-based contribution to teaching science in the primary school. It provides a solid grounding for busy teachers to access and use research findings to enhance their professional development and practice. Each chapter provides comprehensive coverage of a science topic, including: revision of subject knowledge; research findings on children's ideas; learning progression; suggested ways to teach, and research exemplars and lesson outlines. This book is a valuable resource for student teachers and for teachers with many years of experience. It is an indispensable addition to every primary teacher’s bookshelf and every university education department.” Rob Toplis, recently Senior Lecturer in Science Education, Brunel University, UK “This is a great ‘why to…’ and ‘how to…’ book. Michael Allen’s use of progressive understanding underscores both the unfolding stories of primary science alongside children’s developing grasp of the key ideas involved. His work is based on a wealth of research that provides the basis for the ‘why to…’ in curriculum organisation and planning. This is then brought to bear on considerable professional experience and classroom practice to provide the ‘how to…’ for teachers, covering a range of important topics in primary science. An excellent compendium of rationales and resources.” Mike Watts, Professor of Education, Brunel University, UK

With chapter sequencing following the new Curriculum, this book supports trainee Primary school teachers to make use of the opportunities presented in the new National Curriculum for effective and engaging Science teaching. Covering all of the areas of the new National Curriculum for primary science and offering insight into effective teaching, it helps you connect what you need to teach to how it can be taught. This comprehensive guide to teaching Primary Science will help you secure your subject knowledge, understand how children learn about science and know how to plan and teach effective and inspiring science lessons. Exploring opportunities in the new curriculum for creative and imaginative teaching, it shows you how to capitalize on opportunities to teach Science in a way that sparks children′s interest. Includes the full National Curriculum Programme of Study for Science, key stages 1 and 2 as a useful reference for trainee teachers. Other books in this series include: Primary Mathematics for Trainee Teachers and Primary English for Trainee Teachers

This book provides a combination of practical lesson ideas and theory, focusing particularly on those areas that research has shown most trainee primary teachers struggle with. Each chapter provides a good range of practical and accessible ideas, hints and tips linked to how children learn.

Meeting the Standards in Primary Science provides: primary science subject knowledge the pedagogical knowledge needed to teach science in primary schools support activities for work in schools and self-study information on professional development for primary teachers. This practical, comprehensive and accessible book should prove invaluable for students on primary initial teacher training courses, PGCE students, lecturers on science education programmes and newly qualified primary teachers.

Using many examples drawn from classroom practice, this guide supports and aims to extend the student teacher's own subject knowledge and understanding of science in the context of the primary classroom. It offers an accessible guide to all the main concepts of Key Stages one and two science teaching. Illustrating the importance of issues such as resourcing and assessing science in the primary classroom, the book offers guidance for practicing teachers who consider themselves "non-specialists" in science.

This book is intended to encourage creativity and experimentation in teaching primary science, which are regularly recognised as features of outstanding teaching.