Primary Connections

The Primary Connections program links the teaching of science and literacy across the primary years of schooling. The learning outcomes in Primary Connections can be linked to SACSA outcomes in Science and English.The following tables outline the relationship between the Primary Connections phases of development and the outcomes in the SACSA framework. These are useful for planning and for reporting and assessing to SACSA outcomes.

During Term 1 & 2 Heidi and Charlotte have trialled the Primary Connections unit Water Works.Outlined below are responses to each of the phases of learning and lessons. We have assessed the students to SACSA outcomes using the previous tables. We have concluded with our personal evaluation of the unit.

Lesson 1Wondering about waterEngagementAim to capture students interest and find out what they knew about water.

Lesson 2Water WalkExploreLooked at pictures of water around the school. Walked around the school and recorded water sources on our own maps. See Water Works Lessons for ideas.

Lesson 3Rain, rainExploreProvided hands on experiences of what happens to rain on different surfaces.

Lesson 4Go with the flowExploreTo support students explore the movement of water across the landscape.We made rivers, dams, water collection points and catchments in the sand.

Lesson 5My water storyExplainStudents had to represent and explain their understanding about sources of water and how it is collected.

Student responses

Heavy clouds make rain fall.

The rain falls on the ground and makes rivers.

The water is kept in a dam.

The water is cleaned at a Water Treatment plant so we don't get sick.

The water flows along pipes.

We use water from the tap at home.

Lesson 6Investigating water use at home.ElaborateStudents planned and collected information about water use at home. We graphed our findings.