Content:

Fieldwork observations. - Collect and compare data. School grounds vs Alnwick Gardens

What is fieldwork?Fieldwork involves going outside to observe and collect information about their environment. It's about studying geography in real life, rather than just looking at maps or books.

What can we see and find out about our school and its surroundings?By exploring our school grounds, we can look closely at what is around us. We might notice different areas like the playground, field, garden, or car park. Looking carefully helps us learn how the space is used and what makes it special. We can describe what we see and talk about how people and nature share the space.

What are the human and physical features in and around our school?Human features are things made by people, like buildings, fences, roads, and signs. Physical features are natural, like trees, grass, soil, and hills. By walking around and observing, we can spot and name these features in our school and the streets nearby. This helps us understand more about the place where we live and learn.

Fieldwork – Going outside to observe and explore the local area to learn about geography in real life.

Observe – To look carefully at something to learn more about it.

Environment – The space around us, including both natural and man-made features.

Human features – Things in the environment made by people, like buildings, roads, fences, and signs, that can't easily be moved

Physical features – Natural parts of the landscape, like trees, grass, soil, and hills.

Plants

observe and describe how seeds and bulbs grow into mature plants find out and describe how plants need water, light and a suitable temperature to grow and stay healthy

Content:

Plant Pumpkins

Investigations:

Pumpkins & Broad beads - observe and compare growth.

WOW! Wonder Launch

Big Question: What is the difference between things that are living, dead, and things that have never been alive?

Science Enquiry Focus: Identifying, classifying and grouping

Outline: Professor Crankpot has sent a mysterious box of objects that represent living things, dead things, and things that have never been alive. Children explore the items closely before sorting and grouping them. They discuss their ideas and explain how they know which group each object belongs to.

What to Wonder? How can we tell if something is alive? Was this object ever alive before? What do living things need to survive? Can something be dead if it was never alive? What clues help us decide where something belongs?

WOW! Wonder Launch

Big Question: How do seeds and bulbs grow into healthy plants?

Science Enquiry Focus: Observing over time

Outline: Professor Crankpot brings pumpkin seeds and bulbs into the classroom and asks the children to help him grow them. Together, the children plant the seeds and bulbs in pots and place them around the classroom. Over time, children observe the plants closely and record changes as they begin to grow.

What to Wonder? Which plant will grow first? What changes will happen as the plants grow? What do plants need to stay healthy? What might happen if a plant does not get enough water, light or warmth?

National Curriculum:

Living Things/Habitats

explore and compare the differences between things that are living, dead, and things that have never been alive

identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other

identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including microhabitats

describe how animals obtain their food from plants and other animals, using the idea of a simple food chain, and identify and name different sources of food

What is the difference between things that are living, dead, and things that have never been alive?Living things grow, move, breathe, eat, and have young. Dead things used to be alive but are no longer, like fallen leaves or a once-living animal. Some things, like rocks or plastic toys, have never been alive. We can use clues like movement and growth to help us sort them.

Why do animals and plants live in different habitats?A habitat is a place where animals and plants live because it gives them what they need, like food, water, and shelter. For example, fish live in water and need gills to breathe, while cacti grow in dry deserts where they store water. Every habitat suits the animals and plants that live there. Living things depend on each other and their surroundings to survive.

What plants and animals can we find in different habitats and microhabitats?We can find plants and animals in places like woods, ponds, fields, and gardens. Smaller habitats, called microhabitats, include under logs, in leaf piles, or in soil. Each place has creatures suited to it, like worms in damp soil or woodlice under stones. Exploring these helps us see how living things are suited to their homes.

What is a food chain?A food chain shows how living things get energy from food. Plants make their own food from sunlight, and animals eat plants or other animals. For example, a caterpillar eats a leaf, and a bird eats the caterpillar. Each part of a food chain helps keep nature in balance.

Living – Something that grows, moves, eats, breathes, and can have young.

Dead – Something that used to be alive but isn’t anymore, like fallen leaves or a dead insect.

Never alive – Something that has never been living, like a rock or a plastic toy.

Habitat – A place where animals and plants live and find what they need to survive.

Food chain – A simple way to show how animals get their food and energy.

How do seeds and bulbs grow into plants?Seeds and bulbs start small but grow into bigger plants over time. First, they sprout roots and shoots, then grow stems, leaves, and sometimes flowers or fruit. As they grow, they change shape and size. Watching this happen helps us understand how plants develop from tiny beginnings.

What do plants need to grow and stay healthy?Plants need water, light, and the right temperature to grow well. Water helps them stay strong, light gives them energy to make food, and warmth helps them grow at the right speed. Without these things, plants may grow slowly or not at all. Taking care of plants helps them stay healthy and full of life.

Seed – A small part of a plant that can grow into a new plant.

Bulb – A round underground part of some plants that stores food and helps the plant grow.

Roots – The part of the plant that grows underground and takes in water and nutrients.

Shoot – The first part of the plant that grows above the ground.

Growth – The way a plant gets bigger and stronger over time.