BST: Basic Science Curriculum for Primary 6 (NERDC)

Year 6 NERDC Basic Science Curriculum for Primary 6. The Solar System,The Earth and its movements, Air, Our Climate – Schemeofwork.com 

BASIC SCIENCE CURRICULUM PRIMARY 6

THEME 1:   LEARNING ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENT

Week 1

Topic: The Solar System

Performance objectives

1. Identify and name some planets in our Solar System
2. Identify the components of the solar system, their location and importance
3. State the relationships among the earth, sun, moon other planets and the stars
4. Demonstrate that the earth exerts a pull on objects and bodies

Contents

1. Our Solar System
2. The Planets
3. Gravity and Weightlessness in space

Teacher’s Activities        

1. Uses charts to guide pupils to:
   • Name natural bodies in our solar system such as stars, moon, sun and planets.
   • Describe the characteristic features of planets and also mention the new status of Pluto.
   • state the relationships among stars, planets, sun, moon, etc
2. Uses pictures of people in space and on Earth and other simple activities to illustrate the existence and effect of gravity on objects
3. Use Charts (or balls of various sizes placed on concentric circles) to show the location of planet Earth and other planets within our Solar System

Student’s Activities

1. Name natural bodies that can be found in our Solar System
2. Model the solar system and name the planets
3. Observe photographs of people walking in space and on land, compare them
4. Throw stones, dusters, etc vertically and describe what happens

Teaching & Learning Material  

1. Picture of people in space
2. Chart showing the solar system
3. Paper
4. Glue/gum
5. Scissors
6. Clay
7. Cardboard
8. Stone
9. Duster
10. Ruler
11. Strings
12. Balls of different sizes

Evaluation Guide

1. Identify natural bodies that can be found in our Solar System, their location and importance
2. Name the planets
3. State some relationships among the earth, planets; stars, sun, and moon
4. Demonstrate the earth’s pull on objects

Week 2

Topic: The Earth and its movements

Performance objectives

1. Describe the two important movements of the earth (rotation and revolution) and their effects
2. Explain the causes of lunar and solar eclipse and their effects e.g. tide
3. Discuss some effects of the earth movement on the environment
4. Identify the major sources of light for the earth and other planets

Contents

1. The Sun
2. Effects of the interaction between the Sun and the Earth:
   • Rotation
   • Revolution
   • eclipses (solar and lunar) Sources of light for the earth
   •  the Sun , Moon and the Stars

Teacher’s Activities        

1. Uses simple activities to illustrate:
   1. The Earth’s rotation on its Axis and its effects;
   1. The earth’s revolution around the Sun and its effects;
   1. The Earth’s Orbit
   1. Lunar and solar eclipses
2. Initiates and guides discussions about causes of some of the observable natural phenomena like tides, seasons, moon phases, etc and their effects on the environment, e.g. heavy rains and tide destroying the environment through erosion
3. Guides pupils to observe and record changes in the moon (moon phases)

Student’s Activities

1. Demonstrate causes of day and night
2. Observe stars in the night, notice the constellation
3. Read about stars constellation and learn the names of some of the stars
4. Keep record of moon phases
5. Participation in class discussion

Teaching & Learning Material  

1. Charts
2. Pictures of moon phases
3. Light from a Torch light
4. Model of the Earth, Moon and the Sun

Evaluation Guide

1. Explain rotation and revolution of the earth and describe their effects on; the length of day and night; seasons
2. Mention the causes of lunar and solar eclipse and their effects
3. Mention two effects of earth movement on the environment
4. Name the major source of light for the earth and other planets

Week 3

Topic: Changes in Our Climate

Performance objectives

1. Identify and write simple weather symbols
2. Observe changes in our climate over a period of time
3. Use the weather symbols to keep records of weather and climatic changes

Contents

1. Weather symbols.
   • Sun,
   • Rain,
   • Cloud, etc
2. Weather records e.g. for:
   • Temperature
   • Rainfall
3. Global Warming – some causes (e.g. Pollution, release of harmful gases) and effects (e.g. rising sea levels, flooding etc.) of increasing world temperatures

Teacher’s Activities        

1. Uses charts to guide the pupils to identify and draw weather symbols
2. Guides pupils to:
   • make weather observation
   • keep weather records
3. Show pictures of flooding landslides, hurricanes, wild fire, tsunamis etc

Student’s Activities

1. Identify and draw weather symbols
2. Observe weather and keep record of their observations
3. Make a weather chart
4. Compile various images of events that show effects of changes in the climate

Teaching & Learning Material  

1. Chart showing the weather symbols
2. Cardboard papers
3. Colored Pencils
4. Crayons
5. Pictures/ newspaper or magazine cuttings showing effects of climate change

Evaluation Guide

1. Identify and draw weather symbols
2. Observe changes in our climate over a period of time
3. Use the weather symbols to keep records of weather and climatic changes
4. Identify at least three effects of climate change on the Earth

Year 6 NERDC Basic Science Curriculum for Primary 6. The Solar System,The Earth and its movements– Schemeofwork.com 

THEME 2:   LIVING AND NON-LIVING THINGS

Week 1

Topic: The Human Body system: Blood circulation

Performance objectives

1. Name some parts of the human heart and major blood vessels
2. Differentiate among arteries, veins and capillaries
3. State some basic functions of the human heart and blood vessels
4. Describe in simple terms how food and materials are distributed to different parts of the body by the blood

Contents

1. The human heart
   • Structure
   • function
2. Blood vessels
   • Arteries
   • Vein
   • Capillaries
3. Blood circulation.

Teacher’s Activities        

1. Sources and brings the models of human heart and blood vessels to the class
2. Guides pupils to name parts of the heart and the blood vessels using diagrams in the textbook or charts
3. Guides and moderates class discussion on blood circulation

Student’s Activities

1. Draw and label the human heart and the blood vessels
2. Trace the movement of food and other materials by the blood to all parts of the human body using a chart
3. State the basic functions of human heart and blood vessels

Teaching & Learning Material  

1. Model of the human heart
2. Model of blood vessel
3. Chart/ Diagram showing blood circulation

Evaluation Guide

1. Identify the parts of the human heart and the blood vessels
2. State two distinguishing features of the arteries, veins and capillaries
3. State two functions each of the heart and the blood vessels
4. Describe the blood circulation process

Week 2

Topic: The Human Body system: Reproduction

Performance objectives

1. Describe the blood circulation process
2. Identify the male and female reproductive organs
3. State the functions of the male and female reproductive organs

Contents

1. Reproductive system
2. Meaning of reproduction
3. Male reproductive organs
4. Female reproductive organs
5. Functions of the reproductive organs

Teacher’s Activities        

1. Explains the meaning of reproduction in human beings
2. Uses charts to explain the male and female reproductive organs
3. Guides pupils to state the functions of male and female reproductive organs
4. Draws the male and female reproductive organs

Student’s Activities

1. Explain reproduction in human being
2. Differentiate between male and female reproductive organs
3. State the functions of male and female reproductive organs
4. Draw and label the male and female reproductive organs

Teaching & Learning Material  

1. Charts or models of male and female reproductive organs

Evaluation Guide

1. Explain the meaning of reproduction in human beings
2. Mention the various organs of male and female reproductive system
3. State the functions of the organs of male and female reproductive system

Week 3

Topic: Air

Performance objectives

1. Demonstrate that air presses on every object
2. Explain why things move in air
3. Explain why boats fixed with sails move faster on windy days
4. State some of the applications of air pressure in:
   • Navigation;
   • Generation of electricity;
   • Floatation;
   • Suction

Contents

1. Air Pressure
2. Things that fly in air
3. Why things move in air
4. Applications
   • Navigation
   • generating electricity
   • Floatation
   • Suction

Teacher’s Activities  

1. Demonstrates the collapsible can experiment
2. Uses an inverted tumbler filled with water and sealed with nylon or leaf to illustrate and explain air pressure
3. Guides and moderates class discussion on:
   • How air pressure enables things to move in air (airplanes, air balloons, birds etc.)
   • Effects of air pressure on boats sailing on the sea.
   • Special features of things that move in air (shape, light weight, possession of wings: hollow bones) etc.
   • The applications of air pressure in: generating electricity; (wind mill) navigation; and suction

Student’s Activities

1. Pump a deflated football; deflate it and describe their experience
2. Demonstrate air pressure using the inverted tumbler with water; and explain what keeps the water from pouring
   Make and operate:
   • Air propelled balloon;
   • Air propelled paper boat and discuss what makes them move
3. Examine things that float in air and identify their special characteristics (lightness, shape)
4. Use inflated balloons to lift objects
5. Look at a picture or model of a Wind Mill

Teaching & Learning Material  

1. Water tumbler
2. Cardboard
3. Cell phones
4. Balloons
5. Bicycle tyre
6. Pumps
7. Football
8. Paper
9. String
10. Kites
11. Water basin
12. Sticks
13. Gum
14. Picture or model of a Wind Mill

Evaluation Guide

1. Use simple activities to demonstrate air pressure
2. Explain why things move in air
3. Make things fly in air
4. Observe their kites, parachutes etc
5. Mention two instances of the application of air pressure to do work e.g. lifting load; generating electricity etc

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