Developing Interest and Relating Scientific Learning to the Wider World
Experiencing and showing awe, wonder, and interest
Matthew told the class that he had heard that "roses eat banana skins". This created much amusement and amazement among the students and, after discussion, they decided that he needed to find out more. After going home and talking to his mother, a gardener, he reported the next day that roses like the potassium in the banana skins and that they get this as the skin rots. In doing this, he showed that he is able to pursue a scientific activity outside the formal learning environment.
Thinking in Scientific Ways
Suggesting explanations
Matthew can offer an explanation for an observation (see "before" view). However, he is unable to justify it as his ideas about plants, based on his previous experiences, are restricted to flower plants (L1).
Comparing and evaluating explanations
Matthew's "after" view drawing is of a tree. It shows a shift in understanding and that with support he can change his ideas in the light of new evidence – he was previously adamant that trees were not plants. His drawing now also includes an interesting root system. Through lots of observations of roots, he became aware that they could be very gnarled and wriggly (L3). |
Investigating in Science
Exploring a situation
Matthew makes observations and looks for patterns and relationships as he investigates a variety of plants using magnifying lenses and microscopes (see "before" view). He identifies that:
- stalks are strong
- roots can be hairy and differ from plant to plant
- leaves have lines (veins)
- leaves sometimes grow out of the stalk.
He and his classmates discussed the function of the parts of a plant and went home to get more ideas (L3).
Processing and interpreting
Matthew is able to reach a conclusion to a simple investigation that is linked to his own knowledge (see "after" view). He answers "yes" to the question and is able to explain that:
- trees have stalks, but they are called trunks
- trees have branches, and the leaves grow on them
- roots hold the plants in the ground.
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