Practical Ideas for Teaching Primary Science

Vivian Cooke is a senior lecturer in primary science education at the University of Worcester. She began her teaching career as a primary school teacher with responsibility for science, design and technology and ICT. She has worked in two other higher education institutions as a senior lecturer in science on postgraduate, undergraduate and Masters’ courses as well as being course leader for early years, primary and the two-year PGCE. Colin Howard is a senior primary lecturer in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) at the University of Worcester. He has been involved in primary education for over 24 years of which 14 years has been as a successful head teacher in both small village and large primary school settings. He has been involved in inspecting schools for the Diocese of Hereford as a S48 SIAS Inspector. He has recently been awarded a Phd linked to his interest in the influence that school buildings have upon their stakeholders.

Overall, this is an inspiring book, providing trainee teachers with a bank of fantastic activities to take into the primary classroom, while also providing opportunities to reflect on and improve their own practice. Sarah Elizabeth Watson Trainee Student Teacher, Northumbria University

• Introduction 1: The nature of science teaching and working scientifically 2: What makes an effective science lesson? 3 Animals and humans 4 Plants, habitats and living things 5 Evolution and inheritance 6: Everyday materials and their properties 7: Earth and space 8: Rocks 9: Light 10: Forces, motion and magnets 11: Sound 12: Static electricity and electricity