Whizz Pop Bang Blog – Page 10 – Awesomely amazing science magazine for kids

Science knowledge organisers for primary schools

Posted on 11th July 2022 | by Kirsty Williams | Leave a Comment

Are you wondering what knowledge organisers are and how to use them? The purpose of a knowledge organiser is to collate all the information and vocabulary a pupil needs to know for a unit of work in one A4 sheet. However, these are not meant to be given to pupils to learn, they should be a guide for both pupils and teachers to use. For teachers they are useful when it comes to planning, to make sure they cover the correct content. For pupils they should serve as a reference. They should not give all the answers, but should provide support with vocabulary and knowledge – they are not for acquiring knowledge, but for securing it.

As a science co-ordinator, giving staff a good set of knowledge organisers that have been written to the curriculum and ensure progression between year groups is invaluable. In particular, when Ofsted questions you during a deep dive, they are a good source of evidence.

Whizz Pop Bang’s knowledge organisers, for years 2 to 6, have been written by a teacher with all of the above in mind. They have been carefully crafted to the curriculum, making sure there is a progression in both knowledge and vocabulary. We have included an A3 vocabulary poster for teachers to share in displays or working walls for pupils to refer to.

The A4 knowledge organiser has the same vocabulary on the front but without a colourful background, plus definitions of the vocabulary and any information which is key to the topic. All of this is displayed in a child-friendly way.

Visit our website to see the whole collection.

“These are really helpful – the pictures are good clues for the children to help jog their memories about the words, and having both a bright version for displays and a printer-friendly version for copies, is a great idea!” Maria Bennett, class teacher

How much does it cost to gain access to all of the Whizz Pop Bang resources?

Prices start from as little as £197.99 per year for a copy of Whizz Pop Bang magazine through the post each month and whole-school access to our ever-growing library of downloadable teaching resources, with unlimited teacher logins.

We have an individual membership option so teachers and home educators can access all of our amazing downloadable resources for just £20 for the whole year.

Post Comment

Teaching how animals are suited to their habitats in year 2

Posted on 5th July 2022 | by Kirsty Williams | Leave a Comment

Are you finding it tricky to find a lesson that isn’t just a worksheet? We have a great lesson pack which will fit into your sequence of lessons, in which pupils will explore fish and learn how they are suited to their habitat.

Where would this lesson fit into my medium-term plan?

This lesson would be suitable after pupils have been taught the differences between things that are living, dead and have never been alive. They should also understand the term ‘habitat’. Our knowledge organisers are a good way to support your pupils’ vocabulary and ensure progression though the school.

How is this lesson better than a worksheet?

Most children will remember an active, interesting lesson better than the information they complete on a worksheet. They will create their own fun 3D fish by recycling an old cardboard tube. Whilst doing this, they will discover the names of the different fins and what they are used for and find out how fish can breathe underwater, making water a suitable habitat for them.

Actively making a 3D model will help make the lesson memorable and you will have a great selection of fish to make an eye-catching science display in your classroom! Or you could turn them into fish mobiles!

In our downloadable lesson packs, we include everything you need to teach the lesson, apart from some inexpensive resources. Included in this lesson pack is a PowerPoint presentation that explains how fish are suited to their habitat and what each fin is for. The pack also includes a sheet of instructions for making the 3D fish, printable instructions in the style of our eco-club page and a labelled diagram to print and give to the children so they know where each fin should be placed.

Get this lesson pack now

If you are not a subscriber to our school resources, you can subscribe here for your school or take out an individual teacher membership here, which will give you access to all of our downloadable resources.

How can I get more science into my school day?

An easy way to get more science content into your school day is to give your pupils quality science-related text during reading time. We have loads of downloadable reading comprehensions as part of our resources. This month we have added two more for year 2.

All our year 2 reading comprehensions have differentiated text as well as differentiated question-and-answer sheets. They look very similar (on purpose!). Just look for the magnifying glasses in the bottom right-hand corner – two means harder and one means easier.

We also have a bank of spectacular science images that are perfect for promoting discussion. They feature a striking scientific image along with a couple of questions. As you click through the PowerPoint presentation, the answers to the questions will be revealed. Pupils should try to answer the questions as you go. The presentation added this month for the unit ‘Living things and habitats’ is called ‘Synchronised swimmers’. It only takes ten minutes, so it can slot into those awkward times in the school day, such as straight after lunch while you are waiting for everyone to come in.

If you would like some FREE samples, sign up here for a magazine and an example lesson pack for years 2 to 6.

How much does it cost to gain access to all of the Whizz Pop Bang resources?

We have an individual membership option so teachers and home educators can access all of our amazing downloadable resources for just £20 for the whole year.

“Whizz pop Bang has developed a refreshing look at science and its resources bring this subject to life” Class teacher Caroline Burton

Post Comment

COMPETITION CLOSED: WIN an ION8 water bottle!

Posted on 1st July 2022 | by Kirsty Williams | 18 Comments

We’ve teamed up with ION8 to keep your little one hydrated all summer long.

After having so much fun splashing around working on this issue of Whizz Pop Bang, Super Swimmers, we thought a water bottle would be the perfect competition prize this month. These brilliant water bottles are 100% leakproof when closed and made from either stainless steel or BPA-free RECYCLON, (made from organic materials from plants instead of fossil fuels). These refillable and reusable drinks bottle are food safe, odour resistant, easy to hand wash, and keep drinks fresh and full of flavour. Find out more about ION8 products here.

For your chance to win one of six water bottles, simply answer the question below and tell us which design you’d like to win: Cat Astronaut, Ecologi, Sealife, Dogs, Space, Frog Pond.

What type of animals are orcas?

A) Fish
B) Mammals
C) Reptiles

Good luck!

This competition closes at midnight on 31st July 2022. For full terms and conditions visit whizzpopbang.com/terms

Post Comment

Boing! The jumping robot!

Posted on 30th June 2022 | by Kirsty Williams | 1 Comment

Engineers at the University of California, Santa Barbara, have designed a robot capable of jumping three times higher than any animal or machine. Watch it in action here:

Post Comment

Make a drawing float!

Posted on 30th June 2022 | by Kirsty Williams | Leave a Comment

Watch a drawing of a stick person float! The whiteboard pen drawing floats because the ink is less dense than the water.

Use a dry-erase (whiteboard) marker with non-soluble ink, draw a swimming stick figure onto a smooth, shiny plate (test it on the back first to make sure it doesn’t stain the plate!). After about 10 seconds, pour water onto the plate VERY slowly (away from the drawing) – and your swimmer should lift off the plate and swim around! The drawing floats because the ink is less dense than the water.

This super easy and fun experiment for kids is from Whizz Pop Bang 84: SUPER SWIMMERS where you can find bucket-loads more science fun!

Buy this issue!

Not a subscriber? Sign up here!

Post Comment

Teaching plants in science

Posted on 6th June 2022 | by Kirsty Williams | Leave a Comment

How can I make sure there is progression when teaching plants?

This is a common problem, as pupils are taught first introduced the topic of plants in KS1, it begins in years 1 to 3, plus they will have grown a plant in FS2. So when you come to teach it, how do you know you are progressing their knowledge.

It is key to know what the children have done the previous year. Before you even start planning, have a conversation with their previous teacher to find out what they have covered and what they have grown. We have produced knowledge organisers which are specific to each year group. They state the vocabulary and content that teachers should cover for their year group to help ensure progression.

FS2 and Year 1 Science

In foundation stage, children will have explored different plants and planted seeds and seen that they grow. There will have been lots of observations and not much recording. In year 1, they will have built on this by growing a plant in soil and considering what it needs to grow. They will have been exposed to and encouraged to use simple vocabulary to name the basic parts of a plant. They will have also labelled the parts of a plant and probably created a diary observing a plant’s growth.

Year 2 Science

In year 2, pupils will grow plants again, but this time they will start to set up simple investigations that draw on all the knowledge and vocabulary they have learned in the past two years. For example, we have produced a lesson pack where pupils will grow beans – which they may have done before, but they will set it up in a controlled way. They will observe what happens to the bean and they will be able to see the different stages of growth. They will control either the amount of light or the amount of water the bean gets.

Lesson pack for teaching plants to KS1 and KS2.

Year 3 Science

Moving from teaching plants in KS1 to KS2. When it comes to teaching plants in year 3, I cannot stress enough the importance of checking what they have already covered. Years 2 and 3 have similar objectives about exploring what plants need to grow. The key difference in year 3 is that they should be measuring the amount of light or water. For example, our pea germination investigation covers requirements for growth, but it also requires pupils to measure the amount of water given.

We also have other packs which require different measurements in investigations and different types of enquiry. This lesson pack is a comparative investigation.

Comparative demonstration about plants' water needs for year 3 science lesson KS2.

If you find the year 2 teacher has already done a lot of investigations that cover the requirements of growth, the good news is that gives you more time to look into some of the other areas in more depth.

Learning about nutrients in the soil and seeing how the soil drains so plants can grow properly and don’t rot is important.

Year 3 science lesson about nutrients and soil for KS2.

Also in year 3, you are required to cover how plants transport water. We have a great activity which demonstrates capillary action.

Year 3 science lesson about capillary action for KS2.

Pupils need to know the parts of a flower and this time in more depth, including the basics of pollination and seed dispersal. Pupils should start to dissect flowers and weeds and see if they can name the different parts. This sets up a good foundation for when they come back to it in year five and look at how plants reproduce. We have created a ‘build a flower’ pack for year 3 and also a flower dissection pack for year 5 – this ensures progression between the year groups.

Year 3 science lesson build a flower for teaching plants in KS2.

Year 3 science lesson about flower dissection for teaching plants in KS2.

If you would like some FREE samples, sign up here for a magazine and an example lesson pack for years 2 to 6.

How much does it cost to gain access to all of the Whizz Pop Bang resources?

We have an individual membership option so teachers and home educators can access all of our amazing downloadable resources for just £20 for the whole year.

“Whizz pop Bang has developed a refreshing look at science and its resources bring this subject to life” Class teacher Caroline Burton

Post Comment

How to save the world

Posted on 1st June 2022 | by Kirsty Williams | Leave a Comment

The latest report from the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says we have to take urgent action to avoid the worst effects of the climate crisis. Young people can’t vote, but can help to get the message out in other ways. Here are some ideas of how to take action, including a template letter to send to your MP.

Ask your school to start an eco club to raise awareness.
Help organise or attend a protest.
Write to your local MP and other politicians (e.g. energy and climate change minister, PM, etc.).

Template-letter-to-MP Download

Taking action can help you to feel less worried about the climate crisis, here are some useful websites with more information about how to get your voice heard:

https://xryouth.uk/

https://www.sosfromthekids.com/

https://fridaysforfuture.org/take-action/

Post Comment

COMPETITION CLOSED: WIN a Build Your Own binoculars kit!

Posted on 26th May 2022 | by Kirsty Williams | 14 Comments

We’ve got SIX build your own binoculars kits from Build Your Own to give away to lucky winners! Ignite a child’s curiosity with these fully functioning, binoculars that kids big or small, can build themselves. Lightweight and ergonomically designed, these robust, sustainable cardboard binoculars make it easy to enjoy time together outdoors.

Each kit comes with everything you need to bring the world (six times!) closer, perfect for bird watching, nature walks, observing wildlife and more.

To be in with a chance of winning one of six Build Your Own binoculars kits, simply answer this question in the comments:

The part of the binoculars that magnifies the image is called…

A) the lamp
B) the lens
C) the loud speaker

Good luck!

This competition closes at midnight on Thursday 30th June 2022. Whizz Pop Bang competition terms and conditions are here.

Post Comment

What is a Whizz Pop Bang lesson pack?

Posted on 23rd May 2022 | by Kirsty Williams | Leave a Comment

Included in the Whizz Pop Bang downloadable school resources are lesson packs written by experienced primary school teachers. The packs are complete lessons for specific year groups and linked to the National Curriculum. They contain everything you need to teach the lesson, apart from some inexpensive resources. Each lesson pack contains:

A curriculum linked lesson plan
A PowerPoint presentation to run the lesson
Any other sheets you might need; for example, tables to record results

The Whizz Pop Bang resources are not scheme of work, but our lessons are not one-offs either – they will fit into your medium-term plan. To help you do this, on each lesson plan is a box that states the previous learning your pupils should have done and a box suggesting future learning. This helps you to ensure a clear progression of skill and learning.

Primary school teachers are expected to remember a huge amount of information for every area of the curriculum. To help, on each lesson plan we explain the science behind the lesson – just look for our robot, Y!

Our PowerPoint presentations give information around the subject area in an engaging, child-friendly way, using illustrations from the magazine.

All the files in a lesson pack are stored in one handy zip file, making them quick and easy to download from our website. We know how precious a teacher’s time is!

Reading links

Each lesson plan includes links to reading comprehensions that are also part of our downloadable resources. Often, lessons link to other areas of the curriculum too, such as maths and computing.

Why did we produce lesson packs?

Our aim is to help teachers inspire future scientists and to reduce your workload! Our lessons are practical: they are experiments, investigations, games and makes. If you are looking for hundreds of worksheets and lots of marking, our resources are not for you!

“Engaging colourful resources designed to capture the children’s attention and encourage enquiry and questioning.” Rachael Howard Hatherop, C of E Primary School

Post Comment

Teaching the unit sound in year 4

Posted on 3rd May 2022 | by Kirsty Williams | Leave a Comment

Are you looking for planning resources for teaching sound in year 4? Here’s how you can use our downloadable teaching resources to easily create memorable lessons that produce the sticky knowledge Ofsted will be looking for…

Where to start?

Sound is a fun topic to teach but it can be tricky to explain how sound travels in waves as the children can’t see it. We have lots of interesting ways to help your pupils explore and ‘feel’ sound, which cover the National Curriculum objectives you need to teach.

Telephones lesson pack

This pack links to our Victorian Science issue. This lesson is a great introduction to sound and begins with pupils feeling sound waves through a balloon. In pairs, they will create a simple string telephone and investigate how it works. Using photographs or a labelled diagram, they will then start to explain how sound travels from one cup to the other. As with all our lesson packs, the science is explained in the lesson plan and on the last slide of the PowerPoint presentation.

Bottle blower lesson pack

In this lesson, pupils will investigate how pitch changes when you alter the amount of water in a bottle. This links to our brilliant issue on sound called ‘Turn up the volume’, which is available to buy from our website.

Pin strummer lesson pack

This is a great lesson to teach towards the end of your unit on sound. Pupils will use the knowledge they have acquired and apply it to their own practical enquiry. They will make their own musical instrument – a pin strummer – and then change different variables to see how the pitch and volume changes.

How to evidence your practical lessons

If your planning isn’t enough evidence, pupils could use the Keynote app on an iPad and record themselves describing their investigation or activity. If you need evidence in their books, you could print a photo from the lesson and during morning work the next day, pupils could label and annotate it. This would mean that they go back over their learning from the day before, helping the knowledge to stick. Do pupils need to write each step of an experiment? In my experience, asking pupils to write down everything they have done kills the learning. Choose one part from each investigation; that way they will do it well and it will enhance learning. Our knowledge organisers are really helpful with spellings and also help pupils to remember key concepts and vocabulary.

How to embed science across the curriculum

There are lots of ways to embed the pupil’s science learning in your school day. Using science texts in guided reading or whole-class reading sessions is an easy way for children to delve further into the subject matter and acquire more knowledge. We have several reading comprehension packs for year 4 linking to the topic of sound:

Reading comprehensions which link to the topic of sound

Whizz Pop Bang magazine and teaching resources are brilliant ways to enhance your school’s science teaching:

We provide downloadable science lesson plans, PowerPoint presentations, hands-on investigations and science reading comprehensions written by primary school teachers.
Whizz Pop Bang teaching resources link to the National Curriculum, ensuring correct coverage.
All of our resources are year group specific, ensuring progression between the years.
We make cross-curricular links to other subjects, such as English, Maths, History, Geography, Art, Design and Technology and PSHE.

Prices from as little as £197.99 per year for a copy of Whizz Pop Bang magazine through the post each month and whole-school access to our ever-growing library of downloadable teaching resources, with unlimited teacher logins.

We have an individual membership option so teachers and home educators can access all of our amazing downloadable resources for just £20 for the whole year.

“We used the Bottle Blower investigation to discover how pitch changes. The children loved it and the resources were clear and colourful. The reading comprehension on the foley artists had my class fascinated with the subject matter as they were completely unaware what a foley artist was. Great to have the resources differentiated!” Mrs Godwin, Year 4 Class teacher

Post Comment