Earth and Space

Stages P1 to P3

P1 to P3 Earth in Space

the Sun, Moon and stars as seen from the Earth

Pupils shall be able to:

1. know that it is dangerous to look at the Sun

2. recognise the Sun, Moon and stars

   observe the Sun, Moon and stars

   colouring in exercise,picture books, stories,posters.make paper stars, star patterns

   P,CE,RP

3. recognise and name some of the more prominent constellations

   dot to dots,(Plough, Orion)

4. know that we live on a large spherical self-contained planet

patterns of day and night

Pupils shall be able to:

1. explain how day and night occurs

   draw pictures, stories

seasons

Pupils shall be able to:

1. know that in summer the days are longer than in winter

   discuss day length relating to their own experience

2. recognise seasonal changes in temperature

   discuss seasonal temperature changes related to their own experience

P1 to P3 On planet Earth

changes in the environment related to seasons

Pupils shall be able to:

1. observe and record the changes in the environment related to the seasons

   walks,growing bulbs,farm visits, harvest ( R.E link )

   collect a selection of items associated with summer and winter

   TV programmes

   posters

simple features of the weather,with particularreference to water as rain, snow, ice

Pupils shall be able to:

1. observe and record changes in the weather

   weather charts, more accurate recording for P3

2. discuss the effect of temperature on water as rain, snow or ice

   look at ice/snow melting, puddles drying up

3. discuss how the weather affects our lives

   collect and display appropriate clothing, discuss activities associated with particular kinds of weather.e.g. drying clothes, flying kites, sledging.

P1 to P3 Materials from Earth

common materialswith straight forward uses from living and non-living sources, e.g. stone, sand, wood for building, wool for clothes, coal as fuel, water

Pupils shall be able to:

1. describe objects in terms of some simple properties of the materials they are made from

   provide a range of objects made from such materials as wood, stone,rubber, sponge, metal, different fabrics, plastics, paper, and group these in different ways according to colour, shape, texture etc

2. suggest the reasons for the way in which the materials are used based on their properties

   compare the use of different materials for a given purpose

easily observable differences in properties of common materials such as wood and stone, e.g. hard/soft, wet/dry, rough/smooth,warm/cold

Pupils shall be able to:

1. use their senses to distinguish between hard and soft, wet and dry, rough and smooth, warm and cold

   provide an appropriate range of materials in a "feely bag" to compare the above properties.CE

2. sort and group materials according to their properties

   record and present the results from above. RP, IE

Stages P4 to P6

P4 to P6 Earth in Space

the planets of the solar system

Pupils shall be able to:

1. know the names of the planets

   make up mnemonics for memorising the order of the planets

2. know that the planets are different sizes

   draw, paint and make models of different planets to scale

3. know that the planets orbit the sun at different distances

   make a frieze or display to scale using the above

   show scale of system out of doors by measuring and placing planets at appropriate distances.( children should hold models)

measuring the passage of time

Pupils shall be able to:

1. know that the earth takes one year to move round the sun

   discuss the number of days in a year and explain how leap years arise

2. know that the earth takes one day to rotate on its axis

   demonstrate using for example a torch and globe or ball

3. know that the inclination of the Sun in the sky changes during the year

4. know a variety of instruments to measure time

   make or observe and use, sundials, water and sand clocks, watches to measure time..

P4 to P6 On planet Earth

the Earth's atmosphere and some effects of having air around the planet

Pupils shall be able to:

1. know that the Earth is surrounded by a covering of air called the atmosphere

2. discuss some uses of air

   air pressure- investigate use e.g. lifting objects by blowing up balloons

   by experimentation demonstrate how faster moving air dries things more quickly (hair dryer)

   for movement e.g. saling boats, windmills, hovercrafts, make a simple wind driven vehicle

3. know that air is necessary for supporting life

   discuss why astronauts and divers need to carry their own air supply

4. know that air is necessary for burning

   place a glass jars of different sizes over burning candles and discuss time taken for candles to go out

5. measure approximate wind speeds

   measure wind speeds e.g. pin different weights of paper to a stick as a simple scale to measure wind strength

   make a pictorial Beaufort scale

the water cycle (in simple outline)introducing water as a gas, melting, freezing, evaporation,condensation

Pupils shall be able to:

1. know the names of the three states of water corresponding to a solid, liquid and gas

   simple experiments e.g. boiling water, condensing steam on a cold glass, melting ice, freezing water

2. name the processes- evaporation, condensation, melting and freezing by which water changes state

   draw an arrow diagram showing ice, water and steam, labelling the changes using the words; evaporation, condensation, melting and freezing

3. discuss some of the uses of water as a solid, liquid and gas

   make a table or database listing uses of water in each state

4. relate these changes of state to the water cycle in the environment

   construct a model, draw diagrams, complete worksheets

patterns of weather observed locally

Pupils shall be able to:

1. observe and record local weather patterns using simple symbols

   develop and use symbols to represent different weather types.Use common instruments to make a more detailed record of the weather

2. compare their observations with the predictions for local weather in the media

   note and discuss media weather reports

   possible visit to weather station

3. make forecasts about the weather based on theirown observations

   discuss weather indicators e.g. red sky at night weather heads, dark clouds before rain

4. discuss why weather forecasting is important fordifferent groups of people

   list groups of people for whom the weather plays an important role e.g. fishermen (Catch programme),seafarers, farmers, hillwalkers etc

P4 to P6 Materials from Earth

uses of water, methods of water conservation

Pupils shall be able to:

1. suggest a range of uses for water

   list household uses e.g. toilets, washing machines, baths/ showers, heating, cooking, drinking

   consider some industrial uses of water e.g.power stations, paper mills. water mills

2. recognise the needs of other regions of the world in relation to their need for water

   through research ,find out how the lack of water affects peoples lives in dry regions of the world

3. discuss the need for water conservation

   discuss water management in dry regions of the world

   keep a diary of their individual water use over a week

   design a poster to encourage good management of water

4. describe a variety of methods of water retention and purification.

   a visit to the water works

   collect rainwater and use for watering classroom plants

   carry out experiments to demonstrate simple methods of water purification

further properties of common materials e.g. hardness, rigidity, insulating properties, water resistance; relationship between a material's properties and its use

Pupils shall be able to:

1. understand the meaning of such properties as: strength, hardness, elasticity, solubility, density, melting point, electrical and thermal conductivity

   plan, experiment, record and present evidence to extend their knowledge of the properties of a range of different materials

2. discuss,in relation to the above properties, the use of materials in everyday items and constructions

3. suggest which properties of material are important forits purpose

natural and manufactured materials and simple examples of re-cycling

Pupils shall be able to:

1. identify man made and natural materials

2. know that certain materials are re-cycled

   research into the re-use of materials, for example plastics and paper

3. suggest methods of recycling including glass, aluminium and paper

how materials can be changed: by heat, e.g. melting, evaporating, firing of clay ; by mixing chemicals, e.g. making fizzy drinks, cement, plaster of Paris; and by a combination of both, e.g. baking a cake

Pupils shall be able to:

1. know the effects of heat on a range of materials

   chocolate, water

2. know that certain substances can react when placed in contact with each other

3. identify the start and end materials and the changes which have taken place in each of the above

4. know the application of the above in some everyday processes

   cooking , fizzy drinks

Stages P7 to S2

P7 to S2 Earth in Space

major features of the universe; further detail of the solar system

Pupils shall be able to:

1. name the features in the universe-milky way, galaxy, black holes

2. discuss the scale of the universe using the term light years

3. discuss some of the changes that are taking place in it and the time scale of those changes- expansion of the universe, life cycle of stars and Halley's comet

4. state that all bodies in the universe are attracted to each other by a force called gravity

5. state that the strength of that attraction depends on the masses of the bodies and gets lessas the distance between them increases

how knowledge can be gained by space exploration

Pupils shall be able to:

1. discuss the uses of satellites

2. discuss advances made in space exploration..

the motions of Sun, Moon, Earth and planets, and related effects, e.g. day/night, seasons, phases of the Moon

Pupils shall be able to:

1. state that most planets have natural satellites and that the Moon is the Earth's only satellite

2. explain day and night in terms of the rotation of the Earth on its axis

3. explain the seasons in terms of the tilt of the earth..

4. explain why the length of a "day" and a "year" is different for different planets

5. explain tides in terms ofthe gravitational pull of the Moon as it orbits the Earth

6. explainthe phases of the moon in terms of the orbit of the Moon about theEarth in relation to the Sun

P7 to S2 On planet Earth

the structure of the Earth; the Earth's crust and processes which led to the formation of main features in it, e.g.formation of different types of rock, fossils

Pupils shall be able to:

1. state that the main features ofthe structure of the Earth are crust, mantle, outer and inner core

2. discuss the processes which led to the formation and position ofmountain ranges.oceans and continents

3. discusshow igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks were formed

4. recognise some of the physical features of igneous, sedimentary and metamorpic rocks

5. understand the formationof fossils and explain their importance in thestudy of the history of the life on Earth

the structure and properties of soils

Pupils shall be able to:

1. state that the components of soil are, air, water, humus, and rock particles of different sizes

2. state that different soils have different proprotions of each component - clay ,loam, sandy soil

the existence of materials as solids, liquids,gases; properties of solids, liquids, gases, including expansion,density, pressure

Pupils shall be able to:

1. state that all matter exists in three states- solid, liquid and gas

2. list some properties of solids to include fixed shape, expansion and contraction

3. list some properties of liquids to include same shape as container without changing volume, expansion and contraction

4. list some properties of gases to include occupies container completely, expansion and contraction

5. state that gases have low density compared to solids and liquids

6. state that gases change volume with changes in pressure

the particulate nature of matter -atoms, molecules

Pupils shall be able to:

1. state that all matter is made up of tiny particles

2. state that the smallest particles in any substance are called atoms

3. state that atoms can combine toform molecules

4. describe the differences between solid, liquid and gas in terms of packing of particles and movement of particles to include explanations of expansion and contraction and effect of pressure change

explanations of some of the simpler features of the weather

Pupils shall be able to:

1. recognise differentcloud types to include cumulus and stratus

2. explain cloud formation in relation to temperature changes

3. explain winds in relation todifferences in pressure

4. relate high and low pressure with anticyclones and depressions

P7 to S2 Materials from Earth

materials as elements, compounds; simple chemical reactions which change one material into another, e.g. reactions of metals, acids, making simple gases

Pupils shall be able to:

1. state the an element contains only one type of atom

2. state that a compound contains more than one type of atom combined in a special way

3. carry outsafelysome reactions of elements to include reaction of metals with acid and metals with oxygen

4. carry out safely some reactions of compounds to include neutralisation and production of carbon dioxide gas

5. record accurate observations of chemical changes to include colour change, temperature change and production of gas

further aspects of water, e.g. solubility, solutions; treatment of drinking water, waste water; preventing pollution; and simpler properties of other common solvents

Pupils shall be able to:

1. state the meanings of the terms solute, solvent and solution

2. describe how water is treated to make it fit to drink

3. state that waste water comes from various sources to include homes, power stations factories

4. state that polluted water is water containing impurities

5. discuss methods of preventing pollution

6. list some non-aqueous solvents and their uses

useful materials found in the Earth's crust as mixtures, solutions, e.g. rock salt, oil, sea water, or as compounds, e.g. metal ores

Pupils shall be able to:

1. name some of themain resources found in or on the earth's crust to include coal, oil ,minerals and water

methods of extracting these useful materials, including distillation,filtration, break-up of compounds

Pupils shall be able to:

1. describe a method of extracting useful substances from a mixture to include crude oil

2. describe a method of extracting useful substances from a solution to include salt water

3. describe a method of extracting useful substances from ores to include iron and copper from their ores

further examples relating use of materials to properties, including corrosion resistance

Pupils shall be able to:

1. carry out experiments safely on the effects of corrosion and the methods by which it may be reduced or prevented

a more detailed consideration of re-cycling and of conservation of finite mineral resources

Pupils shall be able to:

1. discuss the implications for society of the finite nature of fossil fuels and ores in the Earth's crust

2. discuss the case for recycling and conservation of mineral resources

the gases of the atmosphere - properties and uses

Pupils shall be able to:

1. list the most common gases in the atmosphere

2. describe some of the properties and uses of oxygen, nitrogen,argon and carbon dioxide to include tests for oxygen and carbon dioxide

fossil fuels: occurrence, combustion and effects of emission of 'greenhouse gases'; methods of avoiding/overcoming atmospheric pollution; other uses (outline only)

Pupils shall be able to:

1. explain the formation offossil fuels

2. state the products of combustion of fossil fuels

3. state the nature and importance of the greenhouse effect

4. state that the main cause of this effect is increasing concentration of carbon dioxide due to combustion of fuels and destruction of the rainforests

5. list the sources of other gases which pollute the atmosphere to include oxides of sulphur and nitrogen

6. state that these gases can lead to the production of acid rain

7. discuss some methods which are being suggested tocombat the increase of these atmospheric gases

8. list other uses of fossil fuels to include production of plastics, medicines and fabrics