KS2 Science textbook

Chapter 1: Working scientifically (Years 5-6)

Strand Working scientifically
Level Year 6
Practice 90 questions with step-by-step solutions

National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 science, Year 6. Content: WS1 plan different types of scientific enquiries, including recognising and controlling variables, WS2 take measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate, WS3 record data and results using scientific diagrams and labels, classification keys, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs, WS4 use test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests, WS5 report and present findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations, and degree of trust in results, WS6 identify scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments.

Open Year 6 chapter

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

Name the changed variable, the measured variable and the fixed variables in a fair test
Plan a fair test that changes only one variable
Take repeat readings, find the mean, and spot a result that does not fit
Read a measuring cylinder to the nearest millilitre
Record data in tables and draw bar charts and line graphs with titles, labels and units
Use results to make a prediction, and say what a further test would check
Write a conclusion that matches the data, and say whether the evidence supports an idea

You should already know

Fair tests, and changing only one thing at a time (Year 5 Science)
Reading scales, and drawing simple tables and graphs (Years 3 to 5)

Where this leads

Classifying living things with keys (Year 6 Science, Chapter 2)
Every later Year 6 chapter uses these skills in its practical sections

Lessons in this chapter

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