KS2 Science textbook

Chapter 1: Working scientifically: planning and reporting

Strand Working scientifically
Level Year 5
Practice 84 questions with step-by-step solutions

National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 science, Year 5. Content: WS1 plan different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, including recognising and controlling variables, WS2 take measurements with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate, WS3 record data and results of increasing complexity using diagrams, labels, classification keys, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs, WS4 use test results to make predictions and to set up further comparative and fair tests, WS5 report and present findings, including conclusions, causal relationships and degree of trust in results, WS6 identify scientific evidence used to support or refute ideas or arguments.

Open Year 5 chapter

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

Name the independent variable, the dependent variable and the control variables in a test
Choose an instrument with a fine enough scale, take repeat readings and find the mean
Record results in a table, and draw a bar chart, a line graph or a scatter graph that can be read correctly
Use a pattern in results to make a prediction, and plan a further test
Write a conclusion that matches the results, and say how much a result can be trusted
Say whether evidence supports or refutes an idea

You should already know

Fair tests, and changing only one thing at a time (Year 3 Science, Chapter 1)
Measuring length, and recording results in a table (Year 4 Maths and Science)

Where this leads

Forces, gravity and resistance, where fair tests are used again (Year 5 Science, Chapters 9 and 10)
Solutions and separating mixtures, with careful measurements (Year 5 Science, Chapter 6)

Lessons in this chapter

Read the whole chapter on one page (good for printing).