EYFS 

Explore the world around them

Observe and interact with natural processes 

Recognise similarities and differences

Focused observation of the natural world 

Draw pictures of the natural world 

Describe on comment on the things they have seen 

Select from given predications what they think will happen 

Use talk to help work out problems and organise thinking

Y1 & Y2 

Explore the world around them and raise their own questions

Perform simple tests

Use simple features to compare objects, materials and living things and, with help, decide how to sort and group them

begin to notice patterns and relationship

Observe changes over time

use simple measurements and equipment (for example, hand lenses, egg timers) to gather data, carry out simple tests

Record simple data

Talk about what they have found out and how they found it out

Select from given predications what they think will happen and why 

Record and communicate their findings in a range of ways and begin to use simple scientific language

Y3 & Y4

Given a range of scientific experiences to enable them to raise their own questions about the world around them

Setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests

Talk about criteria for grouping, sorting and classifying

use simple keys

look for naturally occurring patterns and relationships 

Help to make decisions about what observations to make, how long to make them for and the type of simple equipment that might be used. use new equipment, such as data loggers, appropriately

Record findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts, and tables

Supported to analyse this data

look for changes, patterns, similarities and differences in their data in order to draw simple conclusions and answer questions

Use results to make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and raise further questions

Use relevant scientific language to discuss their ideas and communicate their findings in ways that are appropriate for different audiences

Y5 & Y6

Explore ideas and raise different kinds of questions

select and plan the most appropriate type of scientific enquiry to use to answer scientific questions

Recognise when and how to set up comparative and fair tests and explain which variables need to be controlled and why

Use and develop keys and other information records to identify, classify and describe living things and materials, and identify patterns that might be found in the natural environment

Make their own decisions about what observations to make, what measurements to use and how long to make them for, and whether to repeat them

choose the most appropriate equipment to make measurements and explain how to use it accurately

Decide how to record data of increasing complexity using scientific diagrams and labels, classification keys, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs

Look for different causal relationships in their data and identify evidence that refutes or supports their ideas

Using test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests

Report and present findings in oral and written forms using relevant scientific language to justify their scientific ideas and talk about how scientific ideas have developed over time

identify scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments