BOX 2 An example of an adapted activity;
see Hedgehog Crime Scene in Smart Science
(Bianchi and Barnett, 2006)
VBA focus: Clarifying behaviours (giving
information, seeking information, testing
understanding, and summarising)
Science focus: Make comparisons between
pieces of evidence; draw conclusions that are
consistent with evidence
Generic activity – focus on giving information:
Children are asked to respond to a series of
‘If . . . then’ statements, e.g. ‘If there were no
gravity then . . .’; ‘If we only ate carbohydrates
then . . .’; ‘If rocks were flexible then . . .’. They are
required to acknowledge what type of behaviour
they are using and why.
Embedded activity – focus on all behaviours:
Children discuss and identify the possible
causes of a hedgehog’s injuries using a detailed
drawing or a role-play setting. They work in
teams of six and arrive at their view of what is
the most likely scenario based on the evidence
provided. Two children from the group observe
and ‘behaviour spot’, and then give feedback on
the range of behaviours used.
https://extra.shu.ac.uk/cse/pcs/