Supporting Assessment in Science

These materials can be used to support your teacher assessment in Science. They are linked to the QCA units of work and the Levels are taken from the KS2 Programme of Study level descriptors and the QCA’s Assessing Progress in Science.
Click on the links above to access the resources for each year group.

Introduction

1. Assessing Knowledge and Understanding

What are the level descriptors for this unit of work, and what can it mean for your pupils?

Being confident as teachers of the level descriptors for each level, and in particular what this means in relation to a particular activity and pupil explanation gives us the opportunity to not only assess the pupils progress but be aware of the next step.

These descriptors are provided and below this are examples of what this could actually mean to the pupils in this unit of work.

There is also the opportunity to record individual pupil’s progress against their expected levels, and finally identify any pupils where clarification of their understanding may be needed.

2. Assessing Scientific Enquiry

The Scientific Enquiry Sheets have been produced for each of the 4 Strands, and we have provided two examples per Key Stage. The particular details need to relate to individual enquiries in your scheme of work and the particular focus.

3. Supporting pupils Self, and Peer Assessment in Science

The materials for ‘Aiming High in Science’ are also linked to the QCA units in KS1 and 2.

It includes ‘I CAN’ statements in pupil speak for both the knowledge and understanding in these units of work and the 4 strands of Scientific Enquiry. Both pictures and levels have been identified to give pupils an idea of what is expected from them. We have used an Aiming Higher theme, with balloons, planes, rockets and space stations, but these of course can be changed if you wish, as can the use of levels. At the top of each page there is a box for the pupil’s name and for their targeted ‘level’ or picture. We have provided stickers to copy on the Extra Resources page.

The Extra Resources page also includes a copy of the material for a display which will produce a visual reference for the pupils.
The ‘I CAN’ pupil material can be produced in a booklet format for each pupil, or, as individual sheets for a file.

We hope you will find the material useful. I would like to thank the following teachers for their input in producing the material:

Primarily
Michelle Waters, Lead Teacher for Primary Science, Bedlington West End First School

and
Claire Phillips, Bedlington West End First School
Nicola Foy, Longhoughton First School
Denise Porter, Seaton Sluice First School

Click here for a printable version of this outline for the materials