Primary Science: Knowledge and Understanding (Achieving QTS): Knowledge and Understanding (Achieving QTS)

I would recommend it to any trainee teachers, since the book provides you with scientific information at an understandable level and presents common misconceptions, which pupils and adults/teachers may likely to show.

The book provides numerous ideas of teaching ideas, which the teacher can use in the classroom.

My vote: 5/5


Complete guide to teaching science at primary level.   April 21, 2004
29 out of 30 found this review helpful

Wynne Harlen has done a great job with this book.

It is a comprehensive guide to teaching science in terms of;
teaching and learning styles,
assessment methods,
use of resources and ICT to help childrens' learning,
how best to use practicals (SC1) in science lessons,
helping children to question and think scientifically for themselves,
good cross curricular links.

I am a primary science specialist PGCE student at the moment, and was given a long list of course text books for science and didn't have a clue as to which one to choose.
Take it from me, choose this one, as my copy is well thumbed after only 6 months of my PGCE course.


WOW! what a way to improve your knowledge!   October 22, 2007
SizzlinS
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

This book was a fantastic find, as I thought i was lacking a little in general Science subject knowledge. This is by far the most thorough and descriptive book that includes everything you need to know about each individual topic and what each Key Stage needs to know. It gives questions to answer whilst reading down the margin, along with a self-assessment at the end of each chapter to check understanding. This book was very useful to me as a student, so I believe this will be the same to any student worrying about having a sufficient knowledge of the Science Curriculum. This is the 3rd edition, fully revised for the new 2007 Standards. WOW!


Very good support for teachers of primary science.   October 5, 2001
16 out of 17 found this review helpful

If you are worried about your subject knowledge for teaching primary science this book is an excellent foundation upon which to build it. The book is clearly written, well organised around themes and well linked to primary practice, describing what is to be taught at each key stage. In terms of trainee teachers the book is explicitly linked to current standards for achieveing Qualified Teacher Status. Each chapter is built around these links, lays out the subject knowledge needed to meet the standards and also discusses research into children's ideas in that particular field of science. As a reader I appreciated the self evaluation questions that were contained in each chapter which made me reflect on the text and apply it the 'real world'. The best book of this type I have seen to date, I would only quibble with minor points which will probably be eradicated in a second edition. Great value and well thumbed on my desk.