This guide provides trainee teachers with an insight into the nature and teaching of primary science. It aims to introduce you to the ways in which children learn science, and to the science itself. Each Unit can be studied independently or used to support/prepare for school experiences. You will be directed towards additional reading, which will develop or confirm the subject knowledge you will need to achieve QTS. the curriculum guide is up-to-date, revised to take account of Curriculum 2000 and accepted 'good practice' in primary science teaching and learning. It is also flexible - many of the Units are stand-alone. They can be undertaken in any order, at your own pace, to complement school experiences. The Units are practical and feasible: the activities suggested can be undertaken by the non-specialist; in many cases without specialized equipment or access to large numbers of pupils. The guide is comprehensive, covering all the primary science elements in Curriculum 2000 and giving background information into other aspects of primary science teaching. It is also supportive - the guide suggests further texts to support trainees' own understanding of the scientific and pedagogical concepts involved. Additional reading draws on the TTA's list of approved key texts. The original text was piloted by students following a distance-learning PGCE course. It has been revised and updated in line with their comments and to meet Curriculum 2000 and Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage. The text was initially developed as a core text for the part-time distance-learning course at Liverpool Hope and is designed for trainee teachers on distance learning and flexible routes, returning, converting or overseas teachers.

This guide provides trainee teachers with an insight into the nature and teaching of primary science. It aims to introduce you to the ways in which children learn science, and to the science itself. Each Unit can be studied independently or used to support/prepare for school experiences. You will be directed towards additional reading, which will develop or confirm the subject knowledge you will need to achieve QTS. the curriculum guide is up-to-date, revised to take account of Curriculum 2000 and accepted 'good practice' in primary science teaching and learning. It is also flexible - many of the Units are stand-alone. They can be undertaken in any order, at your own pace, to complement school experiences. The Units are practical and feasible: the activities suggested can be undertaken by the non-specialist; in many cases without specialized equipment or access to large numbers of pupils. The guide is comprehensive, covering all the primary science elements in Curriculum 2000 and giving background information into other aspects of primary science teaching. It is also supportive - the guide suggests further texts to support trainees' own understanding of the scientific and pedagogical concepts involved. Additional reading draws on the TTA's list of approved key texts. The original text was piloted by students following a distance-learning PGCE course. It has been revised and updated in line with their comments and to meet Curriculum 2000 and Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage. The text was initially developed as a core text for the part-time distance-learning course at Liverpool Hope and is designed for trainee teachers on distance learning and flexible routes, returning, converting or overseas teachers.

Why is science hard to teach? What types of scientific investigation can you use in the primary classroom? Touching on current curriculum concerns and the wider challenges of developing high-quality science education, this book is an indispensable overview of important areas of teaching every aspiring primary school teacher needs to understand including: the role of science in the curriculum, communication and literacy in science teaching, science outside the classroom, transitional issues and assessment. Key features of this second edition include: • A new chapter on science in the Early Years • A new practical chapter on how to work scientifically • Master’s-level ‘critical reading’ boxes in every chapter linking topics to relevant specialist literature • Expanded coverage of creativity, and link science to numeracy and computing This is essential reading for all students studying primary science on initial teacher education courses, including undergraduate (BEd, BA with QTS), postgraduate (PGCE, School Direct, SCITT), and also NQTs. Mick Dunne is Senior Lecturer in Science Education at Manchester Metropolitan University Alan Peacock is Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Exeter