revised national curriculum statement
TRANSCRIPT
Western Cape Education DepartmentWes-Kaap OnderwysdepartementISebe leMfundo leNtshona Koloni
DIRECTORATE: CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
REVISED NATIONAL CURRICULUMSTATEMENT
Learning Area: Natural Sciences
Foundation PhaseGrades R to 3
RESOURCE MATERIAL
2003
FOUNDATION PHASE
GRADES R TO 3
REVISED NATIONAL CURRICULUM STATEMENTRESOURCE MATERIAL
The purpose of this material is to provide Foundation Phase educators with anopportunity to:-
• Engage with the Revised National Curriculum Statement in Learning Areacontext
• Enhance understanding of the Learning Area• Enrich Learning Programme development• Support implementation of the Revised National Curriculum in the
Foundation Phase
This material should be presented at a contact session / workshop / cluster meeting of educators.
Outcomes Educators will be able to demonstrate:-
• an understanding of the process of curriculum development• an understanding of the strengthening and streamlining of C2005 in the
Learning Area• an understanding of the essence of the Learning Area
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This resource material was compiled by Senior Curriculum Planners of the WesternCape Education Department.
Enquiries should be directed to:
G. van Wyk;Senior Curriculum Planner Foundation Phase / ECDTel : (021) 467 2000Email: [email protected]
HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT
This resource material should always be used in conjunction with the Revised National CurriculumStatement Grades R – 9 Policy document. (RNCS). It does not stand alone or replace the RNCS .
The resource material has been packaged/presented so that schools are able to explore a range ofoptions with regard to :-
• Accessing and using the material • Storing the material according to their own requirements• Adding further relevant Learning Area resource material that may be supplied by WCED,
or service providers, etc.
It is envisaged that this material could form the core of a useful learning area resource pack thatwill develop and grow as more experience and insight is gained into the Revised NationalCurriculum.
Schools may photocopy this resource material or parts thereof for use in their own teacherdevelopment programmes. The source of the material must be acknowledged.
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© 2003 WCEDLayout/Design by Edumedia
CONTENTS
LEARNING AREA: NATURAL SCIENCES
Page
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
2. History of OBE in the Natural Sciences (NS) Learning Area . . . . . . . .4
3. From C2005 to the RNCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
4. A Framework for Process Skills in Foundation Phase . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
5. The development of science process skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
6. Concepts and content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
7. A planning tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
1. INTRODUCTIONThe purpose of this resource booklet is to provide information on the essential features ofthe Natural Sciences (NS) Learning Area and to provide guidelines that will enable FPteachers to make the transition from C2005 to the Revised National Curriculum Statement(RNCS) in the NS. [All references refer to sections, tables and figures in this documentunless otherwise stated.]
A SPECIAL NOTE:In the NS Learning Area Statement Policy Document, the illustrative examples provided inChapter 2, (page 25 –27) , are not policy. Please refer to page 15 of the Policy Documentwhere this is clarified.In this way, the NS is different from all the other learning areas.
The following are dealt with in this resource material:
1.1 The history of the NS learning area and the design features of C2005. (Refer to section 2, page 4)
1.2 Unpacking Learning Outcome 1 (LO1) ( Refer to Section 4, page 8 )
1.3 Suggesting how LO2 and LO3 could be addressed. (Refer to Section 6, page 13)
1.4 Organising the Key Elements for possible Learning Programmes in the NS:-
1.4.1 Allocating process skills to each Grade (Refer to Section 4 Table 1, page 9)
1.4.2 Allocating concepts and content to each Grade (Refer to Section 6 Tables 3, 4, 5 and 6,pages 14-17)
1.5 Executing key tasks in the transition from C2005 to the RNCS
1.5.1 Providing guidance on how FP can move from C2005 to the RNCS (Refer to section 3,page 6-7)
1.5.2 Providing guidance on how FP can move from assessment criteria (AC’s) to assessmentstandards (AS’s) (Refer to Section 3 Figure 2, page 7)
1.5.3 Providing guidance on levels per Grade (Refer to Section 3 Figure 2, second row from thebottom, page 7)
2. HISTORY OF OBE IN THE NATURAL SCIENCES(NS) LEARNING AREAThere are two OBE models currently practised in the Western Cape viz. C2005 and theWCED hybrid. In the N S, the WCED hybrid model is currently used in the IntermediatePhase (IP) and the Senior Phase (SP) only. The FP is currently using the original C2005 OBEmodel.
4 Foundation Phase RNCS resource material compiled by WCED Curriculum Planners - 2003 - ©
Natural Sciences
3. FROM CURRICULUM 2005 TO THE RNCSCurriculum 2005 was streamlined into the Revised National CurriculumStatement (RNCS). The design features of the RNCS in the NS are:
The nine specific outcomes (SO’s) in the F P C2005 Policy document are summarised inthe table below:
Foundation Phase RNCS resource material compiled by WCED Curriculum Planners - 2003 - © 5
Natural Sciences
C2005
Critical Outcomes (CO s)
Developmental Outcomes(DO s)
Specific Outcomes (SO s)
Phase Organisers (PO s)
Learning ProgrammeOrganisers (LPO s)
Assessment Criteria (AC s)
All Phases
7
5
9
6
53
Performance Indicators (PI s) 50
Range Statements (RS s) 9
Themes 4
RNCS
Critical Outcomes
DevelopmentalOutcomes
Learning Outcomes(LO s)
Assessment Standards
Themes
Prescribed CoreContent Per Phase
FP
7
IP
7
SP
7
5 5 5
1 3 3
3 8 9
4 4 4
C2005 - October 1997: nine Specific Outcomes for the N S Learning Area
Use process skills to investigate phenomena related to the Natural Sciences.1
Demonstrate an understanding of concepts and principles, and constructedknowledge in the Natural Sciences.
2
Apply scientific knowledge and skills to problems in innovative ways.3
Demonstrate an understanding of how scientific knowledge and skillscontribute to the management, development and utilisation of natural and otherresources.
4
Use scientific knowledge and skills to support responsible decision-making.5
Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between science and culture.6
Demonstrate an understanding of the changing and contested nature ofknowledge in the Natural Sciences.
7
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of ethical issues, bias and inequitiesrelated to the Natural Sciences.
Demonstrate an understanding of the interaction between the Natural Sciencesand socio-economic development.
8
9
The LO’s in the streamlined C2005 (RNCS) are given below:-
Whereas the focus of the SO’s in C2005 is on science only, the focus in the RNCS is onscience, technology and environment. This additional focus in the RNCS has lots ofpotential to bring LO3 on board
Ahead of the implementation of the RNCS in the FP in 2004, It may be useful for teacherswho are familiar with the SO’s to understand how they have been reorganised into theLO’s of the RNCS. This comparison is done in Figure 1 which shows the links between theLO’s in the RNCS and the SO’s in C2005 :-
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Natural Sciences
RNCS - March 2002 – three Learning Outcomes for the NS Learning Area
The learner will be able to act confidently on curiosity aboutnatural phenomena, and to investigate relationships and solveproblems in scientific, technological and environmentalcontexts.
1 ScientificInvestigation
The learner will know and be able to interpret and applyscientific, technological and environmental knowledge.
2 ConstructingScienceknowledge
The learner will be able to demonstrate an understanding ofthe interrelationships between science and technology, societyand the environment.
3 Science,Society andTechnology
Process SkillsSO1SO3SO5
LO1
ContentSO2SO7 LO2
Science andSociety
SO4SO6SO8SO9
LO3
Figure 1
The following table gives more detail to the comparison and points out the similarities anddifferences between the NS in C2005 and the NS in the RNCS:-
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Natural Sciences
Similarities
Only the 12 CO’s and the 4 Themes are the same
Differences
C2005 Observations made forthe benefit of FP teachers
RNCS Observations made forthe benefit of FP teachers
9 SO’s The 9 SO’s are clusteredinto the 3 LO’s of the RNCS(See Figure 1). SKAV isembedded in the 9 SO’s
1 LO[Refer to thenotes andexample onpage 3.]
SO1, SO3 and SO5 areclustered to form LO1 inthe RNCS (see Figure 1).SKAV is embedded in theAS’s.
6 PO’s PO’s and LPO’s served as‘organisers’ for Learningprogramme writing.
None
None
No ‘organisers’ areprescribed. You must haveon organiser to plan yourlearning programme andwork schedules. The 4Themes can be used orcreate your own‘’organiser’.
53 AC’s Verbs in AC’s and PI’sindicate the performancerequired to achieve SO’s.Provide evidence forassessment. Use for Rubricwriting and designinglearning experiences.
None Verbs in the AS’s indicatethe required performanceand assessment as do theAC’s and PI’ in C2005.Provide evidence forassessment. Use forRubric writing anddesigning learningexperiences.
9 RS’s Point out level and depth ofachievement in a phase.
None AS’s do the same job perGrade or Phase. AS’s alsoshow levels of complexityvertically down a Gradeand horizontally across allthe Grades in GET.
Noprescribedcontent
This was a huge problem forlearning programme writing,portability, assessment andstandardisation.
Content isprescribed.[Refer to thenotes andexample onpage 3.]
All the content isprescribed. [Refer toRNCS policy document:page 61, 9th bullet fromthe top of the page andChapter 5]. Portions ofthe prescribed contentcan be used to addressLO2 and LO3 indirectly
None
LPO’s
50 PI’s
Figure 2: C2005 vs. RNCS
4. A FRAMEWORK FOR PROCESS SKILLS IN FP
In the FP only LO1 is prescribed. This LO focuses on “scientific investigation”. Thescientific investigative process is the essence of the NS learning area and it isenshrined in this LO. Because of this, one needs to be familiar with the process skills andsub skills that are embedded in scientific investigation.
We can begin by defining a ‘process skill’: In the RNCS Policy Document for NS , processskills are referred to as ‘a learner’s cognitive activity of creating meaning and structurefrom new information and experiences’ [page 13]. As a ‘process’, process skills involveseveral steps, each step itself being a skill in its own right.
The fundamental process skill embedded in LO1 is scientific ‘investigation’. Each of the skills in Italics can be broken down further into many sub-skills, depending onthe situation at hand.
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Natural Sciences
A scientific investigation commenceswhen there is a problem to be solved.
PLAN
DO
REVIEW
The pursuit of its solution leads to theformulation of a hypothesis.
PLANAn investigation is planned and
DOthe hypothesis is tested through experimentation
REVIEWResults obtained are evaluated and communicated
In the FP, only three steps in this process have been set aside for assessment viz. ‘planning’,‘conducting’ and ‘evaluating and communicating’ the investigation. The sub-skills in each ofthese three steps have been identified and then allocated to Grades per AS. The result is aprocess skills framework for FP which is illustrated in Table 1 Please note that Table 1 is just a summary of essential basic process skills for FP and couldbe extended where there is a need. Table 1 is also just an example and can beadapted to suit a school’s needs. When writing learning programmes, work schedulesand learning units, process skills (and sub-skills) could be obtained from Table 1.
It needs to be stated that in the case of LO1, each process skill (and sub-skills) must beseen as only one step in an investigative process. What this means is that learners shoulddo complete investigations but only a part thereof would/could be set-aside forassessment.
Table 1: Process skills framework for FP
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Natural Sciences
LO1, AS1Planninginvestigations
[PLAN]
GRADE R[Sub-skills]
GRADE 1[Sub-skills]
GRADE 2[Sub-skills]
GRADE 3[Sub-skills]
• Observing(seeing, feeling,smelling, …things)
• Identifying(probleminvolved, toolsrequired,variablesinvolved,)
• Questioning(asking questionsthat lead toinvestigations)
• Testing(exploringbeforehand,trialing)
• Deciding(how to obtainresults, whatapparatus to use,where to look,)
• Predicting(tellingbeforehand)
• Hypothesising(makingstatements thatcan be provedright or wrong)
• Designing(action plans,tests, surveys,)
LO1, AS2
ConductinginvestigationsAnd collectingdata
[DO]
• Followinginstructions(adhere toverbal, written,instructions)
• Observing(seeing, feeling,smelling, things)
• Collecting(gatheringresults,information, )
• Handlingapparatus /tools(setting up,using, …apparatus/tools)
• Measuring(finding the size,amount ofthings)
• Recording(writing downresults,observations, )
• Making(apparatus, tools,devices,solutions,
• Experimenting(finding out,testing, trialing,things)
LO1, AS3
Evaluating dataandcommunicatingfindings
[REVIEW]
• Interpreting(seeing patterns,relationships)
• Sequencing(arranging dataor results innumerical oralphabeticalorder,)
• Communicating(talking,presenting,demonstrating,things to others)
• Identifying(spotting trends,errors)
• Sorting/classifying(grouping thingstogetheraccording to arule)
• Comparing(notingsimilarities anddifferences)
• Inferring(makingdeductions,conclusions, )
• Reflecting(thinking aboutreliability andvalidity offindings)
• Tabulating(recording dataor results intables)
• Recording(writing downresults in variousformats e.g.table, graph)
• Graphing(drawing graphsfrom data,results)
• Analysing(examine data,results, findings,)
• Concluding(inferring, makingdeductions,)
• Evaluating(assessingreliability ofresults orfindings)
Note: The process skills mentioned in Table 1 are more extensive than those mentioned onpages 13 and 14 of the RNCS Policy Document. For the NS Learning Area They havebeen obtained from the formulation of the AS’s for LO1 in the RNCS and from the subskills embedded in LO1 of the WCED Hybrid [Refer to : Natural Sciences Resource Pack,Grade 6 2002: section 2.2, page 3.]
5. THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE PROCESSSKILLS:In the NS the “process of investigation” is central. Hence the teaching and learning ofscience involves the development of a range of process skills that are indispensable toman’s quest to understand the world around him. The process of investigation in theclassroom is the same as the one conducted in the scientist’s laboratory.
Learners through their natural curiosity, begin to develop investigative process skills at anearly age and refine them through experience and use. Investigative process skills willdevelop the ability of learners to be objective and to think and reason in a variety of ways.For the benefit of teachers, Table 2 is included primarily to give descriptions of processskills that may be more suitable to FP.
Learners can gain these process skills in an environment that supports creativity,responsibility and growing confidence.
Note that by its very nature, the investigative process will require the use of resources inthe form of equipment and materials. These need not be conventional laboratoryequipment and materials in the FP. Learners should work with familiar objects, tools andmaterials that they encounter in their world.
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Natural Sciences
Table 2: Descriptions of process skills for FP
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Natural Sciences
PROCESS SKILLS
OBSERVING &COMPARING
DESCRIPTION
• Learners use their senses safely and appropriately to gatherinformation. They look, listen, smell or feel carefully as theyhandle or watch something (multi-sensory).
• Observation is more than ”seeing”. It is to select out what isimportant from what is unimportant.
• Learners identify differences or similarities betweensimilar/different objects or events.
MEASURINGESTIMATING
• Learners choose and use appropriate instruments such as rulers,tapes, scales, clocks and thermometers to make measurements;or learners use their experiences to take a good guess of theanswer
RECORDINGINFORMATION
• Learners use different ways to present their data such as tables,graphs, posters, etc.
SORTING ANDCLASSIFYING
• Learners sort substances, objects and material into groups andgive reasons for the categories.
PREDICTING • Learners make use of evidence or past experience to makepredictions or foretell (what will happen if something ischanged). This is not guessing, e.g. learners foretell what willhappen if water is heated.
• In most cases predictions need to be verified
EXPERIMENTING • Learners test by practical investigations.
COMMUNICATING • Learners report on their investigation, writing or telling whatthey did. Learners may use their mathematical, language,dramatic or artistic skills for such a report.
QUESTIONING • Learners discuss a situation and come up with their questions forinvestigations.
HYPOTHESISING • Learners generate a possible solution to a problem that can betested through an investigation.
DECIDING • Learners must take decisions about how to obtain results, whatapparatus to use, where to look, etc.
DESIGNING • Learners will need opportunities to create plans, design tests andsurveys that will meet the needs of the investigation.
FOLLOWINGINSTRUCTIONS
• A process will entail following specific instructions. These maybe given verbally or in written text. Learners are made aware ofthe importance of following instructions with accuracy for thesuccess of the investigation
SEQUENCING • Learners must make sense of the information they are dealingwith eg arranging data or results in numerical or alphabeticalorder
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Natural Sciences
COLLECTING • Learners will need to collect information relevant to theinvestigation, they will have to sort, select and gather
HANDLINGAPPARATUS
MAKING • An investigation process may require specific apparatus, tools,devices, solutions. Learners need to be able to improvise, inventand create the necessary requirements, where possible.
QUESTIONINGREFLECTINGEVALUATING
• Learners discuss a situation and come up with their questions forfurther investigations.
• Learners should be encouraged to always think about reliabilityand validity of findings. The teacher can ask probing questionsand act as a model for learners to follow.
• assessing reliability of results or findings.
INTERPRETINGINFERRINGCONCLUDING
• Learners have to develop an ability to link concepts andknowledge that they explore in scientific investigations eg seeingpatterns, relationships
• making deductions, conclusions• inferring, making deductions
ANALYSING • examine data, results, findings
• Learners must be made aware of how to use tools / apparatusappropiately for scientific investigation. Eg how to handle anduse a magnifying glass
6. CONCEPTS AND CONTENT(Refer to RNCS Policy Document for NS pgs 62 to 66)Content is important in the NS but scientific investigation is more important than contentbecause new concepts and content in science can only be created through investigation andexperimentation LO1 deals with science investigations and only LO1 is prescribed for FP but investigationscannot be conducted in a vacuum. Content is always required to conduct investigations andthis explains why content is prescribed in the NS. Therefore although only LO1 isprescribed in the FP, LO2 and LO3 can also be addressed indirectly. The following example illustrates how:-Refer to Table 3 – Interactions in the environment : Grade R: When investigating how flies andticks can make people sick a teacher will need to identify the essential content and skills thatlearners require to conduct the investigation. The teacher then needs to ascertain what relevantprior learning the learners have in this regard. The content may include knowledge of thestructure and location of the body parts that carry the germs, the eating habits of flies andticks, information on how the germs come about and the nature of the sickness caused (LO2,AS1 Grade 4)The teacher could then link the investigation to the medication and tools doctors and traditionalhealers use to diagnose and treat the illness. (NS LO3 AS1 Grade 4)In Table 3, 4, 5 and 6, the prescribed content for FP has been arranged into Grades per NSTheme as one possible example to use, adapt, etc. Therefore, this is not the only wayto arrange the prescribed content and teachers should feel free to use their owntables and models. However, when designing a learning programme, or work scheduleor learning unit, concepts and content may be obtained from these Tables.
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Natural Sciences
Table 3: THEME: LIFE AND LIVING (LL) – Content and concepts
Teachers are required to provide many learning experiences and activities that will addressthis content and these concepts as well as the stated assessment standards of LO1.According to LO1, each and every investigation must cover the complete scientificinvestigative process, ie planning, doing, and reviewing. For assessment purposes however,teachers may choose to focus on any one or more of these.
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Natural Sciences
SUB-STRAND
[Refer to:RNCS policydocument:Page 62]
GRADE R
[Content andconcepts]
GRADE 1
[Content andconcepts]
GRADE 2
[Content andconcepts]
GRADE 3
[Content andconcepts]
Life Processesand HealthyLiving
Many of ourbody partscorrespond tobody parts ofanimals.
In many cases,animals use theirbody parts forthe samepurposes ashumans
Animals havesimilar needs tohumans forfood, water andair.
Plants havesimilar needs tohumans forfood, water andair.
Interactions inEnvironments
Some animals,like flies andticks, carrygerms, whichcan makepeople sick.
We see culturaldiversity in thekinds of foodpeople like toeat.
We depend onanimals for foodand we breedcertain animalsfor food.
We depend onplants for foodand we growcertain plants ascrops.
Biodiversity,Change andContinuity
Plants andanimals changeas they grow.
Plants andanimals changeas the years passand as theseasons change.
There is a largevariety ofanimals whichhave interestingvisibledifferences butalso similarities,and they can begrouped by theirsimilarities.
There is a largevariety of plantswhich haveinterestingvisibledifferences butalso similarities,and they can begrouped by theirsimilarities.
A suggested arrangement of content and concepts. Teachers are free to adapt, ordevelop their own arrangements. Remember that young children need repetition,
and reinforcement for learning to take place.
Table 4: THEME: ENERGY AND CHANGE (EC) – Content and concepts
Teachers are required to provide many learning experiences and activities that will addressthis content and these concepts as well as the stated assessment standards of LO1.According to LO1, each and every investigation must cover the complete scientificinvestigative process, ie planning, doing, and reviewing. For assessment purposes however,teachers may choose to focus on any one or more of these.
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Natural Sciences
SUB-STRAND
[Refer to:RNCS policydocument:Page 66]
GRADE R
[Content andconcepts]
GRADE 1
[Content andconcepts]
GRADE 2
[Content andconcepts]
GRADE 3
[Content andconcepts]
EnergyTransfers andSystems
When we saywe ‘feel full ofenergy’, wemean we feelready to movefast
When we saywe ‘feel full ofenergy’, wemean we feelready to do a lotof work.
Energy andDevelopmentin South Africa
People who donot have enoughfood or the rightfood to eat feeltired.
People who donot have enoughfood or the rightfood to eat lackenergy.
A suggested arrangement of content and concepts. Teachers are free to adapt, ordevelop their own arrangements. Remember that young children need repetition,
and reinforcement for learning to take place.
Table 5: THEME: EARTH AND BEYOND (EB) – Content and conceptsTeachers are required to provide many learning experiences and activities that will addressthis content and these concepts as well as the stated assessment standards of LO1.According to LO1, each and every investigation must cover the complete scientificinvestigative process, ie planning, doing, and reviewing. For assessment purposes however,teachers may choose to focus on any one or more of these.
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Natural Sciences
SUB-STRAND
[Refer to:RNCS policydocument:Page 69]
GRADE R
[Content andconcepts]
GRADE 1
[Content andconcepts]
GRADE 2
[Content andconcepts]
GRADE 3
[Content andconcepts]
Our Place inSpace
Many differentobjects can beobserved in thesky. Examples arebirds, clouds andaeroplanes. Allthese objectshave properties,locations, andmovements thatcan beinvestigated witha view todeterminingpatterns,relationships andtrends.
Many differentobjects can beobserved in thesky. Examples aresun, planet andsatellites. All theseobjects haveproperties,locations, andmovements thatcan beinvestigated witha view todeterminingpatterns,relationships andtrends.
Many differentobjects can beobserved in thesky. An example isthe moon. Themoon hasproperties,locations, andmovements thatcan beinvestigated witha view todeterminingpatterns,relationships andtrends.
Many differentobjects can beobserved in thesky. An example isstars. Stars haveproperties,locations, andmovements thatcan beinvestigated witha view todeterminingpatterns,relationships andtrends.
Atmosphereand Weather
Weather changesfrom day to day inways that can berecorded.
Weather changesfrom day to day inways that cansometimes bepredicted.
There areoccasional unusualweather eventslike storms thatimpact onpeople’s lives.
There areoccasional unusualweather eventslike floods ortornados thatimpact onpeople’s lives.
The ChangingEarth
Soil and rocksvary inappearance andtexture fromplace to place.
By investigation,learners can findout some of thefactors that makesome soils erodemore easily.
By investigation,learners can findout some of thefactors that makesome soils erodeless easily.
By investigation,learners can findout some of thefactors that makesome soil typessupport plant lifebetter thanothers.
A suggested arrangement of content and concepts. Teachers are free to adapt, ordevelop their own arrangements. Remember that young children need repetition,
and reinforcement for learning to take place.
Table 6: THEME: MATTER AND MATERIALS (MM) – Content andconcepts
Teachers are required to provide many learning experiences and activities that will addressthis content and these concepts as well as the stated assessment standards of LO1.According to LO1, each and every investigation must cover the complete scientificinvestigative process, ie planning, doing, and reviewing. For assessment purposes however,teachers may choose to focus on any one or more of these.
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Natural Sciences
SUB-STRAND
[Refer to:RNCS policydocument:Page 72]
GRADE R
[Content andconcepts]
GRADE 1
[Content andconcepts]
GRADE 2
[Content andconcepts]
GRADE 3
[Content andconcepts]
Properties andUses ofMaterials
Materials havedifferentproperties suchas texture andcolour.
Materials havedifferentproperties suchas heaviness.
Materials havedifferentproperties suchas strength.
We make thingswith materialsthat have theproperties wewant.
Structure,Reactions andChanges ofMaterials
Substances canbe mixed.
Whensubstances aremixed, changessuch as thedissolving of asolid can beseen.
When foodcolourings aremixed, changessuch as newcolours can beseen.
When paints aremixed, changessuch as newcolours can beseen.
A suggested arrangement of content and concepts. Teachers are free to adapt, ordevelop their own arrangements. Remember that young children need repetition,
and reinforcement for learning to take place.
TABLE FOR PLANNING
The following table has been created to help with curriculum planning within and betweengrades in the Foundation Phase. It is derived from the Revised National CurriculumStatement Policy Document Learning area Statement for Natural Sciences.
The table covers the following content:-
PHASE Foundation Phase (and grade 4)GRADES R, 1, 2, 3, (and grade 4)LEARNING AREA Natural SciencesLEARNING OUTCOMES 1AND ASSESSMENT STANDARDS
Each grade is shown in a column.
The grade after the Phase (Grade 4) is also shown in a column to indicate progressionbetween phases. This column is shaded in grey to show that it is not part of the Phase.
Assessment Standards are numbered for convenience:-
Eg : R.1.1 / 1.1.1 / 2.1.3 / 3.4.2
The first digit = the gradeThe second digit = the learning outcomeThe third digit = the individual assessment standard (a bullet in the original policy
document version) Each assessment standard within a learning area thus has its own individual number.
Teachers are requested to familiarise themselves with this system of numbering and use itfor their planning and recording. It promotes uniformity, portability and communicationacross the province.
You can access this table and others for other learning areas through the WCEDCurriculum Directorate webpage. Go to http://curriculum.wcape.school.za and click on thelink for Foundation Phase and Early Childhood Development.
You can print out these tables.You can also download and save on your hard drive.
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Natural Sciences
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ent
Stan
dard
sW
e kn
ow t
his
whe
n th
ele
arne
r
Ass
essm
ent
Stan
dard
sW
e kn
ow t
his
whe
n th
ele
arne
r
Ass
essm
ent
Stan
dard
sW
e kn
ow t
his
whe
n th
ele
arne
rR
.1.1
Pla
ns:
Con
trib
utes
tow
ards
pla
nnin
g an
inve
stig
ativ
e ac
tivi
ty.
Ach
ieve
men
t is
evid
ent w
hen
the
lear
ner,
for
exam
ple,
• as
ks a
nd a
nsw
ers
ques
tions
abou
t the
inve
stig
atio
n, u
sing
‘sho
w a
nd te
ll’ o
r st
orie
s to
say
wha
t act
ion
is p
lann
ed.
1.1.
1 P
lans
: P
lans
an
inve
stig
atio
n in
depe
nden
tly.
Ach
ieve
men
t is
evid
ent w
hen
the
lear
ner,
for
exam
ple,
• sh
ows
how
sel
f pl
ans
to f
ind
out a
bout
thin
gs w
hich
are
foun
d to
be
curi
ous;
• us
es p
ictu
res,
dra
win
gs o
rot
her
mar
king
s of
cho
ice
toex
plai
n w
hat i
s go
ing
to b
edo
ne.
2.1.
1 P
lans
: P
lans
an
inve
stig
atio
n as
par
t of
agr
oup.
Ach
ieve
men
t is
evid
ent w
hen
the
lear
ner,
for
exam
ple,
• di
scus
ses
and
plan
s w
ithot
hers
;•
nego
tiate
s jo
int u
nder
stan
ding
of w
ho d
oes
wha
t;•
deci
des
on w
hat m
ater
ials
or
mod
es w
ill b
e us
ed to
com
mun
icat
e th
e pl
an.
3.1.
1 P
lans
: U
ses
mat
eria
lsse
lect
ed b
y th
e gr
oup
in o
rder
to c
omm
unic
ate
the
grou
p’s
plan
.A
chie
vem
ent i
s ev
iden
t whe
n th
ele
arne
r, fo
r ex
ampl
e,•
lays
out
mat
eria
ls th
e gr
oup
inte
nds
to u
se;
• te
lls w
ho w
ill u
se th
e m
ater
ials
and
the
purp
ose.
Pla
ns in
vest
igat
ions
:C
ontr
ibut
es id
eas
of f
amili
arsi
tuat
ions
, nee
ds o
r m
ater
ials
,an
d id
enti
fies
inte
rest
ing
aspe
cts
whi
ch c
ould
lead
to
inve
stig
atio
ns.
Ach
ieve
men
t is
evid
ent w
hen
the
lear
ner,
for
exam
ple,
• su
gges
ts a
ctio
ns to
try
with
the
mat
eria
ls;
• ta
lks
abou
t per
sona
lex
peri
ence
s, h
ighl
ight
ing
aspe
cts
whi
ch r
elat
e to
sci
ence
or te
chno
logy
;•
resp
onds
to s
ugge
stio
ns li
ke:
‘Som
e pe
ople
say
... W
hat d
oyo
u th
ink?
R.1
.2 D
oes:
Par
tici
pate
s in
plan
ned
acti
vity
.A
chie
vem
ent i
s ev
iden
t whe
n th
ele
arne
r, fo
r ex
ampl
e,•
follo
ws
sim
ple
inst
ruct
ions
with
ass
ista
nce;
• ex
plai
ns w
hat i
s be
ing
done
or
play
ed (
e.g.
gam
es a
ccor
ding
toth
e ru
les)
.
1.1.
2 D
oes:
Ind
epen
dent
lypa
rtic
ipat
es in
pla
nned
acti
vity
.A
chie
vem
ent i
s ev
iden
t whe
n th
ele
arne
r, fo
r ex
ampl
e,•
carr
ies
out i
nstr
uctio
nsin
depe
nden
tly a
nd s
how
s or
tells
wha
t is
bein
g do
ne.
2.1.
2 D
oes:
Par
tici
pate
s in
plan
ned
acti
vity
inde
pend
entl
y or
as
part
of
agr
oup.
Ach
ieve
men
t is
evid
ent w
hen
the
lear
ner,
for
exam
ple,
• pl
ays
a ro
le in
a g
roup
and
carr
ies
out i
nstr
uctio
nsin
depe
nden
tly;
3.1.
2 D
oes:
Par
tici
pate
sco
nstr
ucti
vely
in t
he a
ctiv
ity
wit
h un
ders
tand
ing
of it
spu
rpos
e.A
chie
vem
ent i
s ev
iden
t whe
n th
ele
arne
r, fo
r ex
ampl
e,•
expl
ains
the
purp
ose
of th
eac
tivity
;•
answ
ers
the
ques
tions
, ‘W
hy
Con
duct
s in
vest
igat
ions
and
colle
cts
data
: E
xplo
res
the
poss
ibili
ties
in a
vaila
ble
mat
eria
ls, f
indi
ng o
ut h
owth
ey c
an b
e us
ed.
Ach
ieve
men
t is
evid
ent w
hen
the
lear
ner,
for
exam
ple,
• no
tes
and
rem
arks
on
obvi
ous
chan
ges
or in
tere
stin
g de
tails
;
20
• ex
plai
ns w
hat i
s be
ing
done
,an
d an
swer
s th
e qu
estio
n, ‘
Wha
tar
e yo
u tr
ying
to f
ind
out?
’.
are
you
doin
g th
is?’
and
‘H
owar
e yo
u tr
ying
to f
ind
that
out
?’an
d ‘I
s yo
ur p
lan
wor
king
?’;
• ag
rees
or
disa
gree
s w
ith o
ther
opin
ions
, giv
ing
reas
ons.
• tr
ies
own
idea
of
how
the
mat
eria
ls m
ight
res
pond
;•
pers
ever
es o
r re
peat
s th
eac
tivity
in d
iffe
rent
way
s,ex
peri
enci
ng th
e ph
enom
enon
in o
ther
way
s.R
.1.3
Rev
iew
s: T
hink
s an
dta
lks
abou
t w
hat
has
been
done
.A
chie
vem
ent i
s ev
iden
t whe
n th
ele
arne
r, fo
r ex
ampl
e,•
uses
sim
ple
wor
ds, p
ictu
res
orot
her
item
s w
ith a
ssis
tanc
e to
expl
ain
wha
t has
bee
n do
ne.
1.1.
3 R
evie
ws:
Thi
nks
abou
tw
hat
has
been
don
e an
d sa
ysw
hat
has
been
fou
nd o
ut.
Ach
ieve
men
t is
evid
ent w
hen
the
lear
ner,
for
exam
ple,
• in
divi
dual
ly o
r w
ith a
ssis
tanc
e,‘s
how
s an
d te
lls’
wha
t was
don
eus
ing
own
idea
s an
d ob
ject
s to
expl
ain
wha
t aro
used
cur
iosi
ty.
2.1.
3 R
evie
ws:
Sho
ws
and
expl
ains
wha
t w
as in
tend
edan
d ho
w it
was
don
e.A
chie
vem
ent i
s ev
iden
t whe
n th
ele
arne
r, fo
r ex
ampl
e,•
expl
ains
ow
n co
ntri
butio
n to
the
inve
stig
atio
n;•
uses
sev
eral
dif
fere
nt w
ays
toco
mm
unic
ate
own
idea
s;•
is c
urio
us a
bout
wha
t mig
htha
ppen
if th
e si
tuat
ion
was
chan
ged
in s
ome
way
.
3.1.
3 R
evie
ws:
Exp
lain
s an
dre
flec
ts o
n w
hat
acti
on w
asin
tend
ed a
nd w
heth
er it
was
poss
ible
to
carr
y ou
t th
e pl
an.
Ach
ieve
men
t is
evid
ent w
hen
the
lear
ner,
for
exam
ple,
• re
view
s ho
w a
ctio
ns o
fm
embe
rs in
the
grou
pco
ntri
bute
d to
the
purp
ose;
• re
view
s w
hat i
s ne
eded
to d
obe
tter
next
tim
e;•
uses
a n
umbe
r of
dif
fere
ntw
ays
of p
rese
ntin
g in
form
atio
n;•
refl
ects
on
wha
t oth
er to
pics
mig
ht b
e in
vest
igat
ed.
Eva
luat
es d
ata
and
com
mun
icat
es f
indi
ngs:
Tal
ksab
out
obse
rvat
ions
and
sugg
ests
pos
sibl
e co
nnec
tion
sto
oth
er s
itua
tion
s.A
chie
vem
ent i
s ev
iden
t whe
n th
ele
arne
r, fo
r ex
ampl
e,•
desc
ribe
s ow
n pe
rcep
tions
of
the
even
t, re
latin
g to
the
purp
ose
of th
e in
vest
igat
ion;
• te
lls o
f re
late
d si
tuat
ions
inw
hich
ow
n id
eas
wou
ld b
ere
leva
nt
Lea
rnin
g O
utco
me
2: C
ON
STR
UC
TIN
G S
CIE
NC
E K
NO
WL
ED
GE
The
lear
ner
will
kno
w a
nd b
e ab
le t
o in
terp
ret
and
appl
y sc
ient
ific
, tec
hnol
ogic
al a
nd e
nvir
onm
enta
l kno
wle
dge.
Gra
de R
Gra
de 1
Gra
de 2
Gra
de 3
Gra
de 4
Ass
essm
ent
Stan
dard
sW
e kn
ow t
his
whe
n th
ele
arne
rR
ecal
ls m
eani
ngfu
lin
form
atio
n: A
t th
e m
inim
um,
uses
ow
n m
ost
flue
nt la
ngua
geto
nam
e an
d de
scri
be o
bjec
ts,
mat
eria
ls a
nd o
rgan
ism
s.A
chie
vem
ent i
s ev
iden
t whe
n th
ele
arne
r, fo
r ex
ampl
e,•
give
s th
e na
mes
of
anim
als
ina
pict
ure,
usi
ng o
wn
mos
t flu
ent
21
lang
uage
;•
nam
es a
nd d
escr
ibes
mat
eria
lsus
ed in
mak
ing
a ki
te, u
sing
own
mos
t flu
ent l
angu
age;
• na
mes
or
desc
ribe
s fu
nctio
nal
part
s of
str
uctu
res
(e.g
. ‘be
am’
or ‘
stru
t’),
usi
ng o
wn
mos
tfl
uent
lang
uage
.C
ateg
oris
es in
form
atio
n:So
rts
obje
cts
and
orga
nism
sby
a v
isib
le p
rope
rty.
Ach
ieve
men
t is
evid
ent w
hen
the
lear
ner,
for
exam
ple,
• fo
llow
s in
stru
ctio
ns to
sor
tan
imal
s in
to g
roup
s of
thos
ew
ith tw
o le
gs, w
ith f
our
legs
,an
d w
ith m
ore
than
fou
r le
gsL
earn
ing
Out
com
e 3:
SC
IEN
CE
, SO
CIE
TY
AN
D T
HE
EN
VIR
ON
ME
NT
The
lear
ner
will
be
able
to d
emon
stra
te a
n un
ders
tand
ing
of th
e in
terr
elat
ions
hips
bet
wee
n sc
ienc
e an
d te
chno
logy
, soc
iety
and
the
envi
ronm
ent.
Gra
de R
Gra
de 1
Gra
de 2
Gra
de 3
Gra
de 4
Ass
essm
ent
Stan
dard
sW
e kn
ow t
his
whe
n th
ele
arne
rU
nder
stan
ds s
cien
ce a
ndte
chno
logy
in t
he c
onte
xt o
fhi
stor
y an
d in
dige
nous
know
ledg
e: D
escr
ibes
how
loca
l ind
igen
ous
cult
ures
hav
eus
ed s
cien
tifi
c pr
inci
ples
and
tech
nolo
gica
l pro
duct
s fo
rsp
ecif
ic p
urpo
ses.
Ach
ieve
men
t is
evid
ent w
hen
the
lear
ner,
for
exam
ple,
• de
scri
bes
how
ow
n cu
ltura
lgr
oup
has,
thro
ugh
hist
ory,
foun
d sa
fe w
ays
to c
olle
ct a
nd
22
use
wat
er to
dri
nk;
• de
scri
bes
met
hods
of
send
ing
mes
sage
s ov
er s
hort
and
long
dist
ance
s.U
nder
stan
ds t
he im
pact
of
scie
nce
and
tech
nolo
gy:
Iden
tifi
es f
eatu
res
ofte
chno
logi
cal d
evic
es a
roun
dhi
m o
r he
r, a
nd t
ells
abo
utth
eir
purp
ose
and
usef
ulne
ss.
Ach
ieve
men
t is
evid
ent w
hen
the
lear
ner,
for
exam
ple,
• su
gges
ts w
hy h
avin
g ru
nnin
gw
ater
in a
hom
e m
ight
mak
epe
ople
’s li
ves
easi
er;
• di
sman
tles
a ta
p or
use
s cr
oss-
sect
ion
diag
ram
s of
a ta
p to
expl
ain
why
a c
lose
d ta
p m
aydr
ip a
nd w
aste
wat
er.
Rec
ogni
ses
bias
in s
cien
ce a
ndte
chno
logy
: Id
enti
fies
diff
icul
ties
som
e pe
ople
may
have
in u
sing
tec
hnol
ogic
alde
vice
s.A
chie
vem
ent i
s ev
iden
t whe
n th
ele
arne
r, fo
r ex
ampl
e,•
iden
tifie
s po
ssib
le r
easo
nsw
hy a
dis
able
d, o
lder
or
youn
ger
pers
on m
ay f
ind
itdi
ffic
ult t
o op
en a
tap.