Year 9 booster kit - science

The Government has allocated an extra £14m in this financial year to help support under-achieving pupils as they approach their KS3 National Curriculum tests.

The contents of the Year 9 booster kit for science are as follows:

Section 1 Focusing teaching to improve pupil performance

Helping pupils prepare for Key Stage 3 science tests
- Planning for revision inside and outside lesson time
- Supporting teaching and learning
- Previous tests on CD-ROM
- National performance in recent Key Stage 3 science tests
- Improvements over time.

Implications for teaching and learning across the key stage
- General issues
- Scientific enquiry
- Life processes and living things
- Materials and their properties
- Physical processes.

Preparing for the tests: revision strategies
- Science booster case studies.

Science booster lessons
- Using the materials
- What topics are included?
- What's in the lesson resources?
- What sorts of activities are included?

Section 2 Booster lessons

1 The characteristics of animals
2  Plant structure and function
3  Human growth and reproduction
4  Feeding relationships between organisms
5  Physical changes
6  Metals and non-metals
7  What are reactions?
8  Electric circuits
9  Reflection of light
10  Magnetic fields and electromagnets
11  Sound
12  Balanced and unbalanced forces, and speed
13  Data analysis and interpretation
14  Working with variables
15  Evaluating evidence
16  How scientists work
17  Drawing information together
18  Modelling solids, liquids and gases
19  Particles in chemical reactions
20  Conduction, convection, radiation and evaporation.

Section 3 Leaflet for pupils

Practical advice to help pupils address weaknesses and prepare for the tests, written in a lively, accessible, informal style.

Section 4 Supplement for 2002-3 and revised leaflet for parents and guardians

The supplement for 2002-3 contains
- Brief additional guidance
- Eight new science booster lessons
- An updated version of the leaflet for parents and guardians.

The leaflet for parents and guardians contains
- Useful information about the tests, including dates and format
- Guidance on supporting pupils in all three subjects
- This leaflet is also available to download in all major community languages.