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Simple tests and experiments

PROCEDURAL
Science›Scientific Inquiry|Ages 5—7|ID: mt_Wa44s-f8Ws

Perform simple tests and use observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions

Mastery Evidence

  • Carry out a simple test with one thing changing at a time
  • Observe what happens and describe the result
  • Use the result to suggest an answer to the original question

Assessment Prompt

“Can [child] do a simple experiment — like testing which paper towel absorbs the most water — and use what they find out to answer the question?”

Curriculum Standards2 alignments

KS1.Sci.WS.3The national curriculum in England
Performing simple tests

performing simple tests

Science · Key Stage 1
KS1.Sci.WS.5The national curriculum in England
Suggesting answers to questions

using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions

Science · Key Stage 1

Prerequisites1

Show full prerequisite tree
  • Observing with simple equipment hard

    Must observe closely before performing simple tests

    • Asking scientific questions hard

      Must ask questions before learning to observe closely

      • Asking Questions soft

        Formulating scientific questions builds on the general skill of asking relevant questions to extend understanding, developed in English speaking and listening

        • Question Words hard

          Generating effective questions requires knowledge of question words (who, what, where, when, why, how)

        • Listening and responding hard

          Listening and responding needed before asking questions

        • Exploring Ideas Through Talk soft

          Related speaking skill supports this topic

          • Feeling of not understanding soft

            Using talk to explore ideas and speculate requires noticing what you don't yet understand — the comprehension-monitoring habit in a spoken register

            • Asking for Help hard

              Noticing confusion and acting on it requires already knowing that asking for help is a valid response to being stuck

      • Observation vs Interpretation soft

        Asking good scientific questions requires noticing the distinction between observation and interpretation — a question like 'why did this happen?' only makes sense once you've separated what you saw from what you inferred

        • Feeling of not understanding soft

          Noticing the observation/interpretation distinction requires monitoring your own thinking — the universal comprehension-monitoring habit applied to scientific reasoning

          • Asking for Help hard

            Noticing confusion and acting on it requires already knowing that asking for help is a valid response to being stuck

      • Feeling of not understanding soft

        Asking scientific questions is the science-domain expression of the universal comprehension-monitoring habit: noticing what you don't yet understand

        • Asking for Help hard

          Noticing confusion and acting on it requires already knowing that asking for help is a valid response to being stuck

      • Persisting When It's Hard soft

        Scientific enquiry requires persistence through uncertainty — the universal persistence habit underpins willingness to keep investigating

Unlocks2