Thinking, Doing, Talking Science

 

About the course:

Thinking, Doing, Talking Science is a research-based approach to teaching primary science. The revised two-day Thinking, Doing, Talking Science programme empowers teachers to create opportunities for higher-order thinking and to craft inclusive, yet challenging, science lessons.

The Primary Science Teaching Trust’s (PSTT’s) two-day course consists of two in-person training days a term apart, with an online catch-up session in between. Teachers will try for themselves different Thinking, Doing, Talking Science strategies for creating opportunities for higher-order thinking.  Gap tasks between the sessions embed good practice and enable peer support.

This course covers all the Thinking, Doing, Talking Science strategies: the Bright Ideas Time for discussion, Practical Prompts for Thinking, practical investigations, problem solving and focused recording. As well as experiencing  practicals on the two-day course, teachers will also have access to additional practicals and resources (including subject knowledge notes) from previous courses  delivered by PSTT and Science Oxford. Thinking, Doing, Talking Science strategies will be exemplified through a wide range of science topics from both primary key stages, and guidance on crafting a Thinking, Doing, Talking Science lesson and dissemination of the Thinking, Doing, Talking Science approach in school  is covered.

Teachers attending the course will acquire ready-to use classroom activities. They will be equipped to make small, accessible changes to their existing practice so that through higher-order thinking, children develop their enquiry skills, and knowledge and understanding in science.

Key course content includes:

• Opportunities for higher-order thinking and creativity in science lessons,
• Developing children’s enquiry skills, knowledge and understanding in science,
• Developing children’s oracy through dedicated discussion time,
• Effective assessment through purposeful learning objectives and focused recording,
• Crafting a Thinking, Doing, Talking Science lesson
• Dissemination of the Thinking, Doing, Talking Science approach in school.

This course is suitable for all teachers in key stage 1 and key stage 2 and is compatible with any curriculum or scheme of work (this programme is about an approach to teaching science rather than a set of lesson plans).