Primary Science Exam Notes

A student's ability to understand and apply scientific knowledge in real-world situations.

Tangible outputs students create to show their scientific understanding. These demonstrate their science knowledge through communication.

A written document that describes a scientific experiment (processes, data, analysis).

Organize science information. They show collected data in rows and columns.

A tool for students to document observations and reflections.

Visual tools for summarizing scientific information.

A way to share scientific findings using various media.

The process of asking questions, gathering evidence and drawing conclusions.

Principles like honesty, respect for evidence, and accountability guide how students conduct science investigations, and interact with others in the science classroom.

Personal beliefs about what is right and wrong that guide student's approach to science topics, fostering positive attitudes and behaviors like curiosity and respect.

A teaching strategy that capitalizes on what students already know to link new information to build understanding in science.

Incorrect ideas or assumptions students might hold about a science topic that affect how they understand new information.

Actively bringing out and discussing students' prior knowledge about a science topic before introducing new information.

Linking new scientific information to existing knowledge to improve understanding and make learning more meaningful.

Cultural, familial, and religious background that influence understanding about science and shape values, especially when discussing sensitive topics like conservation or animal experimentation.

A learning environment where ethics and values in science support collaboration and an inclusive approach that recognizes and respects various backgrounds and perspectives.

Assessment at the start of a topic to check prior knowledge & identify misconceptions in science.

Ongoing assessment during learning to provide feedback & support growth in science.

Assessment at the end of a unit to evaluate learning mastery in science.

Science classroom focused on student understanding of situations and problems.

Moral principles guiding science teaching and learning practices.

Beliefs & principles influencing science teaching and learning, e.g., fairness.

Guidelines for fair, educative, and informative assessment ensuring alignment with the WA science curriculum.

Important considerations for safety, fairness, respect, and diversity in science classroom practice.

A tool for organizing prior knowledge, what students want to know, and what they learn.

A quick evaluation to understand student's knowledge/misconceptions.

A teaching model with five phases (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate) for active science learning.

The starting phase of 5E, focusing on capturing interest & activating prior knowledge.

Hands-on phase, where students investigate and test ideas.

Clarifying concepts by connecting exploration to scientific principles.

Deepening understanding through application and connections.

Assessing student understanding and learning.

Hands-on activity where students grow plants, observe changes, and discuss their findings.

Ongoing evaluation during learning, checks understanding, and guides exploration.

Essential factors for plant growth, including sunlight, water, and soil.

Explanations using various methods like drawings, writing, or discussions, promoting communication.

Introduce science concepts, helping students construct explanations using collected evidence..

Guide students in constructing explanations, introducing terms and concepts.

Articulate understanding and participate in discussions; communicate findings through various methods.

Extending plant growth knowledge, applying understanding in new contexts

Students explore problems, plan, and present their findings through different formats like graphs, reports, or diagrams, using prior knowledge to connect ideas.

Ongoing checks during learning to provide feedback and help students improve understanding. It often involves small group discussions.

Students think about what they've learned, how their ideas have changed, and connect these concepts to earlier learning.

A final evaluation at the end of a unit that measures overall learning in the unit.

Students investigate plant growth in different conditions. They predict outcomes, study growth, and report what they find.