based on records of their written work, observational
notes of lessons, and small group interviews. This paper follows the progress of three pairs of 12-
year-old pupils over a period of eight months studying a variety of topics, drawing on the written
assignments and tests they did, as well as on the observational records. The abstract picture
language and the teaching approach aim to provide a coherent and systematic account of the
fundamental nature of all changes. The analysis reveals some of the issues which are involved in
understanding the nature and causes of change and how this understanding can be fostered.