Birchfield Skills List: Science Physical processes

Level 3 Level 4 Level 5

I can make a range of circuits that have batteries (or other power supply) and a range of switches to make electrical devices work (e.g. buzzers or motors). I can make the link between a break in a circuit and a bulb not lighting.

I can explain how changing the number or type of components in a circuit can make bulbs brighter or dimmer. I can construct series circuits on the basis of diagrams and drawings. I can represent series circuits using diagrams and conventional symbols. I can explain how a component should be connected up to make it work. I know that when objects are pushed or pulled an opposing push or pull can be felt. I know the direction in which a force is acting. I know that objects are pulled downwards because of a gravitational attraction between them and the earth. I can explain how friction affects motion.

I can compare parallel and series circuits and explain how the layout affects components in the circuit. I can explain changes within a circuit by using my knowledge of physical processes (e.g. altering the current). I can make a range of changes to a circuit to produce different desired outcomes.

Electricity

I can measure forces. I can make the link between an object changing speed or direction, and a force having been applied. I know that when an object is pushed or pulled an opposing push or pull can be felt.

I can recognise that when an object is not moving the forces acting on it must be balanced. I can explain how a range of forces (e.g. gravity, magnetism) affect motion. I can explain how a range of resisting forces (air resistance, friction, water resistance etc) slow down moving objects and prevents things from starting to move.

Forces and motion

I know that there are forces of attraction and repulsion between magnets. I know that magnetic materials are attracted to magnets.

Magnetism

I know that the earth has a magnetic field. I know that different magnets have different strength magnetic fields. I can model how shadows are formed. I can explain how sound is heard through a variety of materials. I know that surfaces reflect light and that this is how we see them. I know that if an object is making a sound then there must be a vibration, even if I cannot see it. I can change the loudness of some vibrating objects. I can change the pitch produced by some vibrating objects. I can explain why the sun appears to change position through the day.

I know that magnetism is liked to electricity, and electricity is linked to magnetism

I can explain that sounds get fainter further away from the source. I know that light travels from a source. I know that light cannot travel through some objects and that this is why we get shadows. I can show that light is reflected from some surfaces. I know that sound is made when objects vibrate.

Light and sound

I can explain how objects are seen when light from them enters the eye. I can explain that vibrations from a sound source require a medium through which to travel to the ear (e.g. air, water, wood).

I know that the earth, sun and moon are approximately spherical.

I can model my understanding of the length of a year. I can model my understanding of the length of a day. I can model my understanding of how the moon orbits the earth.

The earth and beyond

Birchfield Skills List: Science Physical processes

Level 2 Level 3 Level 4

Electricity

I can make a simple circuit that has a bulb, battery

and wires in it. I can make a circuit with other components. I can compare the way bulbs work in different electrical circuits.

I can make a range of circuits that have batteries (or other power supply) and a range of switches to make electrical devices work (e.g. buzzers or motors). I can make the link between a break in a circuit and a bulb not lighting.

I can explain how changing the number or type of components in a circuit can make bulbs brighter or dimmer. I can construct series circuits on the basis of diagrams and drawings. I can represent series circuits using diagrams and conventional symbols. I can explain how a component should be connected up to make it work. I know that when objects are pushed or pulled an opposing push or pull can be felt. I know the direction in which a force is acting. I know that objects are pulled downwards because of a gravitational attraction between them and the earth. I can explain how friction affects motion.

Forces and motion

I can describe the speed and direction of familiar moving things (cars speeding up or slowing down). I know that pushes and pulls are forces and I can group them. I know that when something speeds up or slows down this is because of a force (a push or a pull).

I can measure forces. I can make the link between an object changing speed or direction, and a force having been applied. I know that when an object is pushed or pulled an opposing push or pull can be felt.

I know that a magnet attracts certain materials.

I know that there are forces of attraction and repulsion between magnets. I know that magnetic materials are attracted to magnets.

Magnetism

I know that the earth has a magnetic field. I know that different magnets have different strength magnetic fields. I can model how shadows are formed. I can explain how sound is heard through a variety of materials. I know that surfaces reflect light and that this is how we see them. I know that if an object is making a sound then there must be a vibration, even if I cannot see it. I can change the loudness of some vibrating objects. I can change the pitch produced by some vibrating objects. I can explain why the sun appears to change position through the day. I know the relative size and positions of the sun earth and moon.

I know that a shiny object needs a light source if it is to shine. I can explain that darkness is the absence of light. I know that sound travels from a source. I can compare the loudness and pitch of sounds. I can talk about a variety of different of sound and sources of sound.

I can explain that sounds get fainter further away from the source. I know that light travels from a source. I know that light cannot travel through some objects and that this is why we get shadows. I can show that light is reflected from some surfaces. I know that sound is made when objects vibrate. I know that the earth, sun and moon are approximately spherical. I know that the earth orbits the sun. I know the moon orbits the earth.

The earth and beyond

Light and sound

I know that the earth is a planet and the sun is a star.

Birchfield Skills List: Science Physical processes

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Electricity

I know about some everyday appliances that use

electricity I can understand the changes that pushing a switch in a simple electrical circuit would have.

I can make a simple circuit that has a bulb, battery

and wires in it. I can make a circuit with other components. I can compare the way bulbs work in different electrical circuits.

I can make a range of circuits that have batteries (or other power supply) and a range of switches to make electrical devices work (e.g. buzzers or motors). I can make the link between a break in a circuit and a bulb not lighting.

Forces and motion

I can communicate changes in movement when something is done e.g. pushing or pulling objects.

I can describe the speed and direction of familiar moving things (cars speeding up or slowing down). I know that pushes and pulls are forces and I can group them. I know that when something speeds up or slows down this is because of a force (a push or a pull).

I can measure forces. I can make the link between an object changing speed or direction, and a force having been applied. I know that when an object is pushed or pulled an opposing push or pull can be felt.

I can use a magnet in games or activities to pick up metal objects.

I know that a magnet attracts certain materials.

I know that there are forces of attraction and repulsion between magnets. I know that magnetic materials are attracted to magnets. I can explain that sounds get fainter further away from the source. I know that light travels from a source. I know that light cannot travel through some objects and that this is why we get shadows. I can show that light is reflected from some surfaces. I know that sound is made when objects vibrate.

Magnetism

Light and sound

I know that light comes from a variety of sources. I can identify some light sources. I know that the sun is a light source. I know that sound comes from a variety of sources. I can identify some sources of sound. I know that sound is heard through my ears. I can communicate observations of changes in light or sound.

I know that a shiny object needs a light source if it is to shine. I can explain that darkness is the absence of light. I know that sound travels from a source. I can compare the loudness and pitch of sounds. I can talk about a variety of different of sound and sources of sound.