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).

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  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 context to be made.

Grade 7 & 8 Science embraces the beneficial place information technology has in education. Utilization 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.

Formally assessed tasks can include written end of unit tests, practical laboratory experiments, investigations, projects, research tasks and digitally based class presentations.

Our pedagogical practice prioritizes 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.

In Grade 7, there are two multi-topic review assessments done at the end of Term 1 and 2, whilst only one review assessment at the end of Grade 8. As students learn many topics in 3 different disciplines of Sciences, these review assessments serve to give opportunity for students to consolidate their learning and develop a foundation in preparation for their future iGCSE course in Grade 9. In Grade 7, These review assessments also do not have any impact on their progression onto Grade 8. In Grade 8, the review assessment does not have any impact on their progression onto Grade 9 or iGCSE subject options. Students who join us in Term 2 are not required to partake questions related to units taught in Term 1 should they decide not to do so. In order to support their learning, their science teachers will provide them with resources from earlier units missed, which students can review on their own and seek help from their science teachers if necessary.

In Grade 7, students will learn the following units in this order: (*sequence and timeline subjected to changes) 1. Introduction to Science 2. Cells 3. States of Matter 4. Energy 5. Separating Mixtures

Multi-topic Review 1 (Week 29 May)*

6. Body Systems 7. Forces in Action 8. Structure & Properties of Matter 9. Scientific Research Project 10. Classification

Multi-topic Review 2 (Week 2 Oct)*

In Grade 8, students will learn the following units in this order: (*sequence and timeline subjected to changes)

1. Forces in Balance 2. Ecology & Impact of Humans on the Environment 3. Electricity at Work 4. Periodic Table & Bonding 5. Invisible Waves (Light & Sound) 6. Chemical Reactions 7. Scientific Research Project 8. The Solar System 9. Growing & Multiplying

Multi-topic Review (Week 2 Oct)*