Autumn 2/Spring 1

Our unit this half term is Forces. 
Children have been learning what a force is and investigating air resistance, water resistance and friction. 
We have studied what levers are and how a small force can produce a greater force with the use of a pivot. 

Autumn 1

During Autumn 1, our science unit is Properties of Materials. Children have been learning new vocabulary linked to materials and how to group materials based on their properties. As part of our lesson, we were given either a key word or a definition and had to find our matching partner. This was a great way to learn the meaning of new words! We then completed an experiment testing whether materials were magnetic, permeable, flexible and transparent. 

During lesson 2, children worked in groups to complete an experiment on thermal conductors and insulators. We were given a challenge by a local coffee shop to find the best material for them to use for a cup for their customers’ tea and coffee. We measured the temperature of the water every 2 minutes, for 20 minutes, and found which material was the best insulator. 

We have been learning about mixtures and solutions. We focussed on materials that are soluble and dissolve in water and how these are reversible changes. We were given a challenge of separating raising and flour, salt and water and sand and water. We used a range of techniques including filtration, sieving and evaporation.