pauline rees the thinking frames approach raising attainment in science

Pauline Rees

The Thinking Frames Approach

Raising attainment in Science

© 2005 Cams Hill Science Consortium

Problem = Why are we able to separate the salt from the sand?

Pupil data “Katie”Calendar Age 11.6Reading Age 10.3

Cognitive Abilities Test scoresVerbal 84Quantitative 87Non verbal 74

Key Stage 2 SATS dataEnglish 3Maths 4Science 4

Cams Hill Science Consortium


Thinking FrameProblem = Why were we able to separate the salt from the sand?


Why are we able to separate the salt from the sand?

Pupil data “Katie”Calendar Age 11.6Reading Age 10.3


Key Stage 2 SATS dataEnglish 3Maths 4Science 4

Thinking Frame problem solving paragraph

“The particles separate when one solute dissolves. The salt dissolves. The sand doesn’t. The solvent gives the salt particles energy to help the salt dissolve. The sand does not dissolve. The water mixed with the salt went through the filter paper sand was left behind.”



Problem = What happens during the distillation?

Pupil data “Rebecca”Calendar Age 11.6NFER Reading Score 130+


Key Stage 2 SATS dataEnglish 5AMaths 5BScience 5A



Thinking FrameProblem = What happens during the distillation?


Thinking FrameHaving been introduced to the Thinking Frame the group were encouraged apply the principles of the approach in different contexts


If the bottle is left open, why can you smell the perfume?

Thinking Frame problem solving paragraph

“The particles in the perfume evaporate in the room temperature and start to spread out in the room because the heat has given the particles energy to rise into the air. The perfume particles move to places where there are less particles until they are evenly spread in the room. They then stop spreading out but keep moving. The particles keep spreading out because they ‘want’ to be evenly spaced”.


Pupil data “Rebecca”Calendar Age 11.6NFER Reading Score 130+


Key Stage 2 SATS dataEnglish 5AMaths 5BScience 5A

pauline rees the thinking frames approach raising attainment in science

Documents