magical liquid a new transition unit from the tameside science team
TRANSCRIPT
Magical Liquid
A New Transition
Unit from the Tameside Science Team
RATIONALE…
Background
• To address the problems encountered with previous transition units
• To produce a Tameside transition unit, as requested by the secondary schools
The Tameside Transition Unit
Initial Aims • To encourage cross-phase communication• To ensure real transition• To produce a quality, creative science unit• To increase pupil motivation in science • To encourage pupil demonstration of skills learnt• To encourage a variety of recording methods • To develop group work
The Tameside Transition Unit
Subsequent Aims • To involve parents in transition• To highlight opportunities for fulfilling Ofsted
2009 criteria• To involve APP criteria in transition assessment• To ensure an easy transfer of work from primary
to secondary.
The story so far…
• One school cross-phase Y6 project
• Development of resources into a transition unit
• Cross-phase training Spring 2009
• Piloted in Summer 2009
• Feedback Autumn 2009
• Development and modification of materials
• Second year pilot Summer 2010
• Interest from other LAs
• NAIGS…
Magical Liquid
A fantasy quest through the land of Tesmedia… Two villagers are chosen to find the cure for the King’s dying daughter.
Their arduous journey will require them to solve riddles, and use their scientific skills to find answers.
On the way, they will have to find a shining silver dagger, kill a fearsome dragon and discover the ruby liquid. Prophecy foretells that this will cure the princess and release the land from the dragon’s clutches.
The Prophecy of Tyto
From the heart of the dragon's chest,
sweet and sharp and sparkling light,
a ruby liquid you must test, then use to put the world
to right.
Shotan and Lyesta set off one day in early spring. Shotan recited to himself the directions that Tyto had given to him.
“ Through the fields and forest, to the top of the highest mountain, through the clouds and follow the path.”
Inside were rows of knights' armour, dusty and covered in cobwebs.
They searched high and low for the dagger they needed to slay the dragon.
Take the box from off the floorIts contents help unlock the door
The dagger you seek is hid within
To free the blighted land from sin.
Shotan and Lyesta felt around and found the box. They picked it up.
Inside they found a strange mixture of materials and a piece of paper, yellow and creased with age. They carefully opened this out and read …
Click on your chosen symbol to see if you are correct.
They looked at the pile of dust in dismay. They had opened the wrong cupboard. Their quest was over.
Clutching the dagger they scrambled out of the castle
and ran and ran until they saw a wooden bridge.
They crossed it and continued along the path which led to the dragon's lair.
TIMESCALE…
• Flexible & adaptable to schools’ requirements• Suggested route
– Primary phase: minimum 2 lessons– Induction phase: minimum 1 lesson– Secondary phase: minimum 1 lesson
• Alternative route– Primary or secondary phase only– Omit induction phase– Extend to include cross curricular opportunities in
either or both phases– Extend number of lessons to develop the project
MATERIALS…
CD includes:• Lesson plans
– Comprehensive primary, induction and secondary lesson plans are provided, fully matched to APP criteria
• Recipes– Clear guidance is provided on how to make up the
mixtures required • Pupil booklet
– Fully illustrated adaptable resource, which provides a continuous record of work. Pupil-parent activities are also included.
Have a look
!
FEEDBACK FROM PRIMARY TEACHERS…
“We did the lessons plans as they were written, which worked well. Pupils really enjoyed it.”
“It lent itself to some really good discussions with pupils about their ideas.”
“All the pupils really enjoyed it! There was a real buzz about the project.”
“We kept to the lesson plans and pupils produced some fantastic work.”
“Kids worked really hard on what they produced, even those that ‘didn’t like science’.”
FEEDBACK FROM SECONDARY TEACHERS…
“Most of the Y6 pupils had obviously done the primary phase of the materials as they really knew what they were talking about. It flowed really well and the pupils were all really enthusiastic and giving it their all.”
“We used Year 10 and Year 11 pupils to support the induction groups and prompt discussion. They did all the experiments in a circus with the older pupils ‘in charge’ and helping the Y6 pupils.”
“A whole school approach was used. Subject Leaders developed resources for their area to link in with the Magical Liquid story.”
“The staff and kids loved it! Everyone got on board with the idea: Science, Technology, Maths, English and Art.”
“My favourite bit was separating the solids because it was a challenge. I liked being told I was smart because I found out the type of metal was iron. It was cool!”
“The first part was very exciting because it set us thinking what the liquid was, the second part was even better”
“I found it interesting – it was different to normal science because we had to make crystals”
“I can’t wait to finish the topic at secondary school!”
“It made me a bit nervous knowing that the booklet that we had is going to high school, but at least they will know how well I can do science”
FEEDBACK FROM PUPILS…
“It made you feel like an actual scientist”
“It made it fun because of the story – it was all to do with dragons and daggers!”
“That was the best experiment ever!”
“I liked making the dragon out of paper – it was fun but very, very hard”
“It was a good idea to mix science with a game”
“The dragons was coooool!!! The way they moved and I made one at home they were that good. Some people are not into science that much but you just made me like it more”
FEEDBACK FROM PUPILS…
TRAINING ON OFFER …
Time: 3 hours including set-up
Cost: £100 per delegate plus travel expenses for presenters. Fee includes all necessary training plus Magical Liquid pack comprising: CD of all materials; paper copies of resources; jar of mystery mixture
Numbers: 10 – 25
NB: Fee may be negotiable for larger numbers
CONTACTS…
The Tameside Science TeamAbby Riley-Thompson
Judith WillisChristine Williams
To register your interest, please email your name and contact details to:
Judith Willis: [email protected] [email protected]