4 minute read
Science
What is the nature of Science in Grades 7 & 8?
The aims of the SJII Grades 7 & 8 Science curriculum deliberately encompass a broad educational framework incorporating SJII’s approach to learning and school philosophies. We have incorporated best practice principles by consulting a number of world leading curricula, including of course those of Singapore MOE education program and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC).
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We believe “The goal of Science education is not knowledge of a body of facts and theories, but a progression towards key ideas which enable understanding of events and phenomena of relevance to students’ lives.” (The Association for Science Education, 2010) When students are engaged and excited by their learning, they are eager to pursue and explore their learning further. Through provision of such a curriculum a natural progression of the knowledge and content delivery occurs in a seamless, embedded manner.
The following is a list of some of the sources drawn upon in the curriculum’s development; Middle Years Program
Australian Curriculum
The Big Ideas of Science (The Association for Science Education, 2010)
International Baccalaureate
The Singapore Curriculum for Science
The SJI International Approach to Teaching and Learning
The key aims are to nurture students’ learning and development of Scientific Literacy
Inquiry Skills
Internationalism
Environmental awareness, and be able to clearly see the
Relevance of Science to humanity
What is our approach to learning?
We recognize that “Young people will need a wide and adaptive set of knowledge, understanding and skills to meet the changing expectations of society and contribute to the creation of a more productive, sustainable and just society” (Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority, 2016). We aim to harness the innate curiosity of students and their desire to explore the world around them, and create a natural progression from this point into their learning in Science in Grade 7 & 8.
The curriculum encompasses the broad subject areas of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Earth and Space, and Scientific Inquiry; which is embedded in all teaching practice, as well as being explicitly taught in the Investigation Unit. These learning areas will be introduced through ‘Big Ideas’ that usually pose a question for the student to explore, enabling instant connections to a real world contexts to be made. Grade 7 schooling begins with the first unit ‘Curiosity, wonder and questioning’.
The Science program enacts a pedagogical approach that includes active learning and draws upon SJII’s school wide approach to learning. Research by Conway and Andrews (2016) shows that effective schools are embedding this pedagogical approach. Science is linked to the Service and Pastoral programs through experiences such as the trip to Bintan Island in Grade 7, and the Grade 8 Environment Project.
Grade 7 & 8 Science embraces the beneficial place information technology has in education. Utilisation of the Teamie platform enables an extension of teaching and learning, and another means of differentiating the curriculum to meet the needs of each student as an individual. Coupled with the move to one to one computers, online learning tools and approaches such as flipped classrooms are being introduced into the pedagogical process ensuring an interactive and dynamic lesson that encourages best practice learning to occur.
What is the nature of assessment?
Assessment is designed to enable the recognition of all aspects of a student growth and learning in Science. This assessment builds the students’ capacity to apply the concepts, reasoning, understanding and attitudes that contribute to a rich and purposeful education. We believe formative assessment to be a very important element of students learning.
Some of these outcomes can be difficult to assess through written end of unit tests, which is why SJI International includes a common assessed task for each unit taught. Formally assessed tasks can include practical laboratory experiments, investigations, projects, presentations and digitally based class presentations.
Our pedagogical practice prioritises the need for formative, whilst still including necessary summative assessment techniques. It incorporates a reflective element that enables the learner to take ownership, and be engaged, in their learning. Relevant and stimulating practical experiments provide further depth of understanding and learning opportunities.
Within their assessments, students will receive targeted feedback where they will be able to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses, enabling them to monitor their performance and progress. Valuable feedback is provided to our parent community, through reporting, Teamie and parent teacher conferences.
Finally there is an end of year exam that draws together the content, skills, and understanding encompassing all units covered during the year, whilst being mindful of the overarching aims of Science at SJI International.
