Progression Of A Theme - The Teaching Of Geology And Astronomy In The National Curriculum.

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Richard Boxley                Science (Geology)

Science Assignment 1Aa

Progression Of A Theme – The Teaching Of Geology And Astronomy In The National Curriculum

I have chosen to include these two topics together as one theme since they are both closely related and the study of them both can often be intertwined at higher levels.  

In keystages 1 and 2 very little (if any) geology or astronomy is included in the national curriculum.  Within keystage 1, pupils are required to recognise and name common types of material and recognise that some of them are found naturally (Sc3 1c).  This is very basic and no scientific terms are used.

Keystage 2 progresses further requiring pupils to be able to group and describe different rocks and soils on the basis of their characteristics such as texture, appearance etc. (Sc3 1d).  This builds on what was previously learnt at keystage 1 by describing and grouping the materials previously identified.  They are also required to know that the Sun, Earth and moon are approximately spherical (Sc4 4a).  This is the first mention of astronomically related material in the N.C.  Still there is very little scientific language required.

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There is quite a large jump in the theme from keystage 2 to keystage 3.  Keystage 3 uses a lot more technical language and detail.  Topics include weathering and erosion (Sc3 2d), the formation of rocks and the rock cycle (Sc3 2e), rock types (Sc3 2f), knowledge of the solar system and its study (Sc4 4b,e).  Sc4 5a and b are also related to geology as they deal with coal, oil and gas as energy sources (as well as other energy sources) and also the formation of coal, oil and gas.

The concepts mentioned in keystage 3 are ...

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