Enhance your KS2 science teaching with teaching CPD on life processes in biology

This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to inspire your primary science pupils with world-class biology teaching on the subject of body systems and processes.

Develop your scientific knowledge for teaching key stage 2 biology

Life processes is a key subject within the biology element of the primary science national curriculum and includes the study of the heart, the circulatory system, and digestion.

On this course, you’ll build your knowledge of body systems and body processes so that you’re able to effectively teach the ‘Animals, including humans’ component of the national curriculum in England.

Help 7-11-year-old pupils understand the circulatory system and digestion process

You’ll explore the common challenges that may arise amongst key stage 2 pupils encountering the heart, circulatory system, and digestive system for the first time.

You’ll learn how to structure your teaching to successfully navigate these challenges.

You’ll also have the chance to learn about practical biology activities you can use in your classroom to inspire your pupils whilst developing their understanding of the concept of living processes.

Access engaging and fun biology primary science resources

This course is delivered by the National STEM Learning Centre, a leading organisation offering teacher CPD, career support, and education in STEM.

You’ll learn from primary STEM subject specialists, experienced in teaching science in primary education.

Syllabus

Week 1
Body processes: subject knowledge
- The human body
  Welcome to the course. This week you'll develop your subject knowledge for teaching body processes. Take a look at what is required in your science curriculum and identify your focus for development in this course.
- Developing your subject knowledge
  Here we take a look at the circulatory system and the digestive system. Note down any questions you might have on your weekly reflection grid.
- Systems working together
  Investigating heart rate and exercise shows the link between the human digestive system, respiratory system and the circulatory system.
Week 2
Addressing misconceptions
- Misconceptions and vocabulary
  This week you'll explore a range of classroom activities and teaching approaches. We take a look at children's misconceptions in science, and consider the importance of choosing vocabulary carefully.
- Eliciting misconceptions
  With an understanding of the subject, you'll be able to use classroom strategies to help expose some of the common misconceptions children can have. What approaches work for you?
- Reconstructing the learning
  Exploration and talk enables children to challenge misconceptions as they reason with each other and consider differing points of view. How will you plan to 'reconstruct the learning'?
- Reviewing your professional development
  Review your professional development and plan your next steps to sustain and develop the way you teach primary science. How has your practice and thinking changed during this course?

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and learn at your own pace. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now
Join - $64

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Identify the importance of good subject knowledge when teaching primary science.
Develop personal subject knowledge of body processes and systems to teach this topic as part of the biology primary science curriculum.
Apply subject knowledge of biology to class teaching of pupils aged 5-11 years old.
Explore practical activities to teach scientific concepts in the primary curriculum.
Identify common misconceptions children may have in primary science concepts.
Develop teaching strategies to identify and overcome children’s misconceptions.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for primary teachers and trainee teachers in primary education (pupils aged 5-11 years) who want to develop their biology subject knowledge, specifically the topic of body processes.

The course refers to the English National Curriculum, but the subject matter is equally transferable to other curricula, and you’ll be encouraged to explore connections with your own national curriculum.

Who developed the course?

National STEM Learning Centre

The National STEM Learning Centre provides world-class professional development activities and resources to support the teaching of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps, but you can complete them as quickly or slowly as you like
Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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What's included?

This is a premium course. These courses are designed for professionals from specific industries looking to learn with a smaller group of like-minded individuals.