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Understanding Primary Science
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Understanding Primary Science

Third Edition
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December 2009 | 296 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Now in its Third Edition, this text provides the background knowledge primary teachers need to plan effective programmes of work and answer children's questions with confidence. The new edition links explanations of scientific concepts with children's everyday experiences to help teachers and trainees foresee how they will present the subject knowledge to their pupils.

Shaped by the National Curriculum, this text explains key scientific theories and concepts which pupils at primary level, including very able children, need in order to understand the observations and investigations they undertake. A CD ROM of 200 science investigations for young students is included with the new edition, allowing teachers to explore the practical application of topics covered in the book.

This is an essential book for teachers, student teachers and anyone interested in the roots and growth of science education.

 
PART ONE: DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE
 
Helping Children to Become Scientific
 
PART TWO: LIFE PROCESSES AND LIVING THINGS
 
Life processes
 
Humans and Other Animals
 
Plants
 
Variation, Classification, Adaption and the Environment
 
PART THREE: MATERIALS AND THEIR PROPERTIES
 
Matter
 
Grouping and Classifying Materials
 
Changing, Combining and Separating Materials
 
PART FOUR: PHYSICAL PROCESSES
 
Electricity
 
Forces and Motion
 
Gravity and Magnetism
 
Sound and Light
 
The Earth and Beyond

Praise for the second edition:

`This is a useful and interesting resource book for primary teachers and would help to develop their knowledge and teaching of science - I will certainly be using it to inform my planning and teaching of the subject' - Juliette Green, Primary School Teacher, Environmental Education

`Every teacher, however well trained in science, will have areas of uncertain understanding. This book is a prime resource for primary teachers of readable, accurate and relevant explanations of scientific phenomena, supported by impressively clear drawings. It has been revised to include recent scientific developments such as DNA and environmental issues, and continues to give sound advice about likely misconceptions whilst maintaining its focus on explaining the science for teachers' - Wynne Harlen, Professor in Education, University of Bristol


This book is a very useful reference book for student teachers, NQTs and experienced teachers in need of a bit of brushing up of their subject knowledge and further inspiration for models that can be used to support clear explanations of scientific concepts. Although published before the new national curriculum the book is clearly laid out in still relevant sections relating to working scientifically and to the subject knowledge which builds the foundations for biology, chemistry and physics. There are clearly labelled diagrams to support the explanations within the book with clear signposts to the practical and often kinaesthetic activities on the CD which would support the teaching and learning of concepts. I would suggest it is possible more helpful for teachers working in KS2 than KS1 but it still packed with ideas.

Ms Lucille Feather
School of Education, Hertfordshire University
October 9, 2015

A rich selection of experiments for science education, additional material on CD.

Dr Sabine Richter
Institut für Integrative Studien, Leuphana Universitat Luneburg
October 1, 2015

Comprehensive and up to date. A good additional text to support our PGCE students.

Ms Sarah Earle
Department of Primary Education, Bath Spa University
November 22, 2013

Understanding Primary Science is an easy to read text that make Primary level science accessible to BEd/BA Education students. We use it now as an essential text at UWS to help direct students development towards being more confident in the delivery of primary science within their own classroom practice.

Dr Stephen Day
Education (Ayr), University of the West of Scotland
February 13, 2013

I really good read full of practical ideas for school practitioners.

Dr Colin Howard
Institute of Education, Worcester University
January 25, 2013

Useful text to support primary teachers in planning and delivering CfE.

Mr Nick Hood
Department of Educational Studies, Edinburgh University
December 11, 2012

recommended this book on students reading list

Ms Mandy Allsopp
Department of Educational Studies, Edinburgh University
November 13, 2012

This will be invaluable as a support text for our primary B.Ed Students who are choosing to specialise in science. Our first year module 'science education with physics and chemistry' will involve students in enhancing their own physics and chemistry background knowledge, amongst other things. Wenham's text is comprehensive and covers all the topics relevant to a deeper understanding of those topics as set out in the Irish Primary School Curriculum for Science. Further diagrams might possibly enhance this text in any future versions.

Dr Janet Varley
Biology, St Patricks College
August 21, 2012

An excellent all round look at subject knowledge and pedagogy - essential for the prospective primary school teacher

Elaine Barron
Department of Education, Bedfordshire University
March 6, 2012

New to the 3rd edition:

  • A new author, Peter Ovens, on board
  • More links to children's everyday experiences
  • A CD Rom of 200 science experiments
  • More student-friendly layout
  • Additional illustrations and photographs

Sample Materials & Chapters

Part One


For instructors

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ISBN: 9781848601192
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