USING PRIMARY INVESTIGATIONS IN SMALL SCHOOLS
by Graham Johnson, Principal, Ando Public School, NSW

Primary Investigations can be used in small schools very successfully. The scope and sequence can be maintained by developing a two or three year program. The program will vary depending upon the number of pupils in different grades.

Two-year program

Grades		Year A	Year B
Qld/WA	Other states
1, 2, 3*	P/K/R, 1, 2*	Book 2	Book 3
4, 5	3, 4	Book 4	Book 5
6, 7	5, 6	Book 6	Book 7

Three-year program

Grades		Year A	Year B	Year C
Qld/WA	Other states
1, 2, 3, 4*	P/K/R, 1, 2, 3*	Book 2	Book 3	Book 4
5, 6, 7	4, 5, 6	Book 5	Book 6	Book 7

* Book 1, for the first year of school, is less suited for use in the lower multi-age group. To provide variety for students who may have to repeat a book, use the extension activities.

Jobs in teams

In Books 3 to 7, students normally work in teams of three. Each is assigned a team job: manager (collects materials), speaker (asks for information from the teacher or other teams) or director (helps team stay on task). Teams and jobs are rotated regularly.

In a small school it is possible to maintain the jobs in the teams, but reduce the team size to two children instead of three. The pair can share the role of speaker, taking turns to wear the badge. This maintains the group dynamics and the number of pupils requesting one-to-one conferencing with the teacher.

Equipment

Teachers will need to collect the same range of recycled materials and equipment. However, the amount of each needed for the investigations is greatly reduced.

Organisation

Organising materials and equipment for two or three different investigations can be a time burden to the teacher in a small school. If you program your science after a lunch break and utilise older children to help organise the materials and equipment needed for lower grades, the burden is greatly reduced. Children find this an enjoyable task.

Budget demands

The cost to small schools can be reduced by purchasing the program over a two-year or three-year period. Books and equipment can be shared between two or three schools. Social visits between schools could include a science lesson. The fewer number of student books required and the reduced amount of materials and equipment needed for investigations will lower the cost to small schools.