Primary School Science Curriculum

Science education in Malaysia is the important component towards creating

progressive and developed society that is scientifically oriented, knowledgeable, forward looking, innovative and a contributor to scientific and technological

developments in the future

The pattern of changes and the developments in science education was based on the National Education Policies, which was also documented in :

The Razak Report (1956) The Rahman Talib Report(1960) The Cabinet Committee (1979) “Laporan JK Pendidikan Kabainet”

Reasons for the Changes Previous curriculum emphasized on learning

& collecting facts and theories with little emphasis on the effective learning activities

Previous curriculum focused on examination & had been influenced by the Cambridge University Examination Board

Many science elements were inappropriate to our curriculum

The drawing-up of the curriculum should not be limited to only the specification but also include the text books as well as the teacher’s guide book.

Historical Development Nature Studies : 1950’s – 1960’s Projek Khas : 1968 – 1984 Alam & Manusia : 1985 – 1993 Kurikulum Sains Sekolah Rendah : 1994 – 2002 (Level 2) Primary Science Curriculum : 2003

onwards (started with Level 1)

The Primary School Science Curriculum is dynamic & changes are made to meet the demands of society & nation.

It is designed to stimulate pupils’ curiosity and develop their interest as well as enabling pupils to learn more about themselves and the world around them through activities

Kurikulum Sains SR / Primary Science Curriculum In line with the national educational

philosophy to produce a progressive society competent in sc & technology

student-based methods in acquiring sc knowledge

2003 : English used as the medium of

instruction started at Level 1 ( Year 1 – 3 )

Kurikulum Sains SR / Prmiary Science Curriculum … contd provide opportunities for students to

acquire sc knowledge & skills, thinking skills & thinking strategies, & to apply this knowledge & skills in everyday life

inculcate noble values & the spirit of patriotism in the students

2 levels :o Level 1 : Year 1 – 3 (w.e.f. 2003)o Level 2 : Year 4 - 6

Kurikulum Sains SR : Level 2 (1994 – 2002) : Aims

to produce human beings who are experienced, skilful & morally sound in order to form a society with a culture of sc & technology and which is compassionate, dynamic, & progressive so that people are more responsible towards the environment & are more appreciative of nature’s creation

Kurikulum Sains SR : Level 2 : 9 Objectives develop thinking skills so as to

enhance the intellectual ability develop scientific skills & attitudes

through inquiry enhance natural interest in their

surroundings gain knowledge & understanding of

scientific facts & concepts to assist in understanding themselves & the environment

Kurikulum Sains SR : Level 2 : 9 Objectives …contd

solve problems & make responsible decisions

handle the latest contributions & innovations in sc & technology

practice scientific attitudes & noble values in daily lives

appreciate the contributions of sc & technology towards the comfort of life

appreciate arrangement & order in nature

Primary Science Curriculum : Level 1 : Aims to develop students’ interest and creativity through everyday experience and investigations that promote the acquisition of scientific & thinking skills as well as the inculcation of scientific attitudes & values

Primary Science Curriculum : Level 1 : 6 Objectives stimulate pupils’ curiosity & develop their

interest about the world around them provide pupils with opportunities to develop

sc process skills & thinking skills develop pupils’ creativity provide pupils with basic sc knowledge &

concepts inculcate scientific attitudes & positive

values create awareness on the need to love &

care for the environment

Primary Science Curriculum : Level 2 : 8 Objectives stimulate pupils’ curiosity and

develop their interest about the world around them

Provide pupils with opportunities to develop science process skills and thinking skills

Develop pupils’ creativity Provide pupils with basic knowledge

and concepts .....

Primary Science Curriculum : Level 2 : 8 Objectives … contd

Provide learning opportunities for pupils to apply knowledge and skills in a creative, critical & analytical manner for problem solving and decision-making

Inculcate scientific attitudes & positive values Foster the appreciation on the contributions of

science and technology towards national development & well-being of mankind

Be aware of the need to love & care for the environment

Kurikulum Sains SR / Primary Science Curriculum : 5 elements scientific skills thinking skills scientific attitudes & noble values teaching & learning strategies content organization

Thinking Skills mental process of integrating

knowledge, skills & attitudes in an attempt to understand the environment

critical & creative thinking skills

Scientific Attitudes & Noble Values 20 Occurs through :

Being aware of the importance & the need for sc attitudes & noble values Giving emphasis to these values Practicing & internalizing these

Teaching & Learning Strategies emphasize thoughtful learning : acquire

knowledge & master skills that will help in developing the minds to the optimum

occur through approaches : inquiry, constructivism, contextual learning, mastery learning

learning activities activate students’ critical & creative thinking skills

challenged with higher order questions & problems ……

Teaching & Learning Strategies … contd enable students to acquire

knowledge, master skills & develop scientific attitudes & noble values in an integrated manner

inquiry-discovery : learning through experiences where concepts & principles are investigated & discovered by students themselves

main methods : experiment, discussion, project, simulation, visits & use of external resources, use of technology

Content Organization Themes Learning Areas Learning 0bjectives Learning Outcomes

measurable behavioural terms organized in order of complexity

Suggested Learning Activities Notes Vocabulary

Format for Curriculum SpecificationLearning About Living Things (Theme)

1. Animals (Learning Area)

Learning Objectives

Suggested Learning Activities

Learning Outcomes

Notes Vocabulary

Pupils should learn1.1

Pupils observe…Pupils present…

Pupils identify… make a list …

Suggestions on ways to carry out activities

termsconcepts

Content Organization : Level 1 : 2 ThemesA : Learning About Living Things

Year Ourselves Animals Plants LT & Non-LT

1 √ √ √ ---2 √ √ √ √3 --- √ √ ---

Content Organization : Level 1 : 2 ThemesB : Learning About The World Around Us

Year 3

Year 1 Year 2 Using Our Senses Long and Short Float & sink The Magic of Batteries Light & dark Mixing Things

Push and Pull

Magnets Absorption Electricity Soil Springs Mixing Substances

Content Organization : Level 2 : 5 Themes

Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 LT have basic needs

Micro- organism

Interaction among LT

LT undergo life processes

Survival of the species

Animals and plants protect themselves

Food chain and Food web

1. Investigating Living Things

Level 2 : 5 Themes2. Investigating Energy and Force

Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Measurement

Energy Force & movement

Electricity Light Heat

Level 2 : 5 Themes3. Investigating MaterialsYear 4 Year 5 Year 6 Properties of materials

States of matter

Food Preservation

Acid and Alkali

Waste management

Level 2 : 5 Themes4. Investigating The Earth & The

UniverseYear 4 Year 5 Year 6 The Solar System

Constellation

Solar & lunar eclipses

The Earth, Moon & Sun

Level 2 : 5 Themes5. Investigating Technology

Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Technology

Strength and Stability

Simple & complex machines

Format for Content Organization : BM versionInvestigating The Living World Learning Area

Learning Outcomes

Suggested Learning Activities

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Scientific Skills1. Science Process Skills

Basic Process Skills Integrated Process Skills

Observing Interpreting data Classifying Defining Operationally Measuring & Using Numbers

Controlling variables

Making Inferences Making hypotheses Predicting Experimenting Communication (design a fair test) Using space-time relationship

Scientific Skills ….2. Manipulative Skills Psychomotor skills that enable pupils to :

Use and handle science apparatus and substances handle specimens correctly and

carefully draw specimens and apparatus clean science apparatus store science apparatus

Thinking Skills : Critical Thinking Skills Attributing Analyzing Comparing & contrasting

Detecting bias

Grouping & Classifying

Evaluating

Sequencing Making Conclusions

Prioritizing

Thinking Skills : Creative Thinking Skills Generating Ideas

Visualizing

Relating Synthesizing Making Inferences

Making hypotheses

Predicting Making analogies

Making Generalizations

Inventing

Thank

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