YEAR 2 ACHIEVEMENT STANDARD
By the end of Year 2, students collaboratively carry out simple investigations based on questions provided by the teacher. They record observations and information (including using informal measurement), sorting data where appropriate, and begin to use information and observations as evidence to support ideas. They communicate their understanding in more than one way and begin to reflect in simple terms on their experiences when carrying out investigations. They describe the basic characteristics of living things that differentiate them from non-living things, including how they grow and change. They understand that science is about solving everyday problems and wider issues (eg growing food, water supplies). They describe easily observable properties of everyday materials and make suggestions as to how these properties impact on their use. They have an elementary understanding of forces as pushes and pulls.
SCIENCE INQUIRY SKILLS YEAR 2 / SCIENCE AS A HUMAN ENDEAVOUR YEAR 2 / SCIENCE UNDERSTANDING YEAR 2
1. Questioning and predicting
Explore, pose questions and make inferences and predictions about objects and events encountered (S2SIS1)
* using the senses to explore the everyday world to pose interesting questions, make inferences and predictions
* thinking about “what will happen if…?” type questions about everyday objects and events
2. Investigation methods
Answer questions by participating in different types of guided investigations including manipulating materials to test what happens, making observations, sorting and using simple information sources (S2SIS2)
* manipulating objects and materials to test what happens and making observations of the results
* researching using simple information sources
* sorting objects and events based on easily observable characteristics
3. Using equipment
Act safely when using familiar equipment and working with others (S2SIS3)
* discussing with the teacher ways of working safely and cooperatively with others when carrying out investigations and practical tests
4. Observing and measuring
Collect and record data using ICT as appropriate, including measurements using informal units (S2SIS4)
* using units that are familiar to students from their home and school situation, such as cups (cooking), hand spans (length) and walking paces (distance)
5. Communicating
Represent and communicate observations, measurements and ideas through oral language, role play, writing and drawing (S2SIS5)
* using simple bar graphs with guidance from the teacher to show patterns in data
* presenting ideas to other students on a one-to-one basis and in small groups
6. Using observations as evidence
Compare observations with predictions and use observations as evidence to support students' ideas and to answer questions posed (S2SIS7)
* recognising in simple terms the idea that investigations can be used to try to ‘prove’ things
* discussing with others what was discovered from an investigation
7. Reflecting on methods
Describe investigations including what went well, and where difficulties were encountered (S2SIS8) / 1. Nature of science
Scientists work by asking questions and solving problems (eg about using Earth's resources) (S2SHE1)
* identifying the sorts of questions and problems that scientists are interested in, and how they collect information and data and think carefully about their results to help answer and solve them, eg in investigating and managing Earth’s resources
2. Everyday science
Science is used in everyday life (eg in using materials, caring for pets) (S2SHE2)
* recording ways to monitor and use information about Earth’s resources and changes to the Earth (eg measuring rainfall using rain gauges, water recycling)
* investigating the ways humans use science to help manage the health of living things as they grow and change (eg talking with medical staff, veterinarians)
3. Science and culture
People from a range of cultures have knowledge that relates to science (eg in relation to technology, using Earth's resources) (S2SHE3) / 1. Living and non-living
Differences between living and non-living things (S2SU1)
* exploring the observable differences between living and non-living things
* developing curiosity and creativity through sorting living and non-living things into groups using characteristics such as breathing, independent movement, growth, sensitivity and reproduction
2. Growth and change
Living things growing and changing, with offspring similar to parents (S2SU2)
* creating a timeline to represent their experiences of personal growth and change since birth
* exploring the ways that plants and animals closely resemble their parents
* using simple information sources to explore the names of familiar animals and their young (eg horse, filly and foal; frogs and tadpoles; bull, cow and calf)
* developing curiosity through observing changes that occur as a plant grows, and recognising that seeds grow into flowering plants
3. Earth's resources
Earth’s resources, including water, and the ways they are used (S2SU3)
* identifying and describing Earth’s resources including water, soil, sand and rocks
* investigating ways Earth’s resources are used and managed locally
* exploring ways that humans depend on the Earth and its resources, including making inferences and predictions about the impact on humans resulting from changes to resources (eg in the availability and cleanliness of water)
4. Properties of materials
The observable properties of everyday materials in relation to their use (S2SU4)
* exploring the local environment to observe a variety of materials and list the ways that materials are used for different purposes
* developing curiosity and creativity through sorting materials into groups on the basis of simple observable properties such as hardness, roughness, transparency and flexibility
* making predictions about observable properties of materials such as absorbency and whether they are magnetic or non-magnetic and manipulate materials to test what happens
* communicating ideas about the suitability of different materials for particular uses including reference to students' own investigations of observable material properties
5. Pushes and pulls
Pushes and pulls as forces that make things move, stop or change shape (S2SU5)
* exploring ways that objects move (as a result of push and pull forces) on land, through the air and in water
* manipulating objects and recognising that when things move, stop or change shape there is a cause (a push or a pull)
* describing positions of objects in relation to other objects