year 9 science curriculum - oaklands catholic school · test knowledge by completing past paper ......

Wednesday, 18 May 2016

Year 9Science

Curriculum


The reformed GCSEs• The QCA and DfE accredited

the new Science GCSEs just over two weeks ago.

• To summarise - all students must now sit either – Combined Science GCSE

(Double Science) or – Separate Science GCSEs

(Triple Science).


What is in GCSE Science?• Science is made up of Biology, Chemistry

and Physics.• These are three quite different disciplines

within one overall subject.– Biology requires a clear understanding of

how living systems work and the ability to describe and explain them. Good literacy skills are essential.

– Chemistry requires a combination of literacy and numeracy skills applied to describing trends and explaining reactions between substances.

– Physics is a very mathematical science often looking at the numerical relationships between phenomena.


GCSE changes1. Controlled assessments have

been replaced by a series of core practicals which will be tested in the final exams.

2. Students will need to learn most of the formulae.

3. Some old content has been removed and some new content has been added.

4. All students will sit the same number of exams.


Grading• Separate Sciences

–A 9 point scale, 9 – 1 where 9 is the equivalent of the top of the current A* and 1 is the bottom of the current G.

• Combined Science–A 17 point scale which starts at

9,9 then 8,9 then 8,8 down to 1,1.


GCSE Science 9 - 1• We are going to continue to use

AQA and students will follow one of two pathways. – GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy

• Equivalent to Core and Additional Science.

– Separate Science GCSEs: Biology, Chemistry & Physics.

• Both pathways provide an ‘excellent preparation’ to study science at KS5.


AQA Science specifications


Oxford University Press/ Kerboodle


What is covered?

• The Triple Science covers exactly the same topics as the Combined Science: Trilogy.

• It has extra content which is clearly identified in the new text books (currently available in draft form) added to the end of some of the chapters.


For example

Wednesday, 18 May 2016Triple content Higher

content


When will the new GCSEs start?• Year 9 students have started their

new GCSE Science courses already.

• We have chosen topics that students would usually study in Year 9 (as part of the KS3 curriculum) but we are planning lessons using the new resources to ensure that students are prepared for the new GCSEs.


Thank you!


Core practicals

On-line Exam focus

Individual sessions


Practical Assessment

The following is new and replaces the ISA

coursework


Outline of this section of the presentation

• What is the practical assessment

• An example of a practical skill – measuring density

• Typical questions from the specimen paper


What is the practical Assessment?

• Practical work is at the heart of science • ‘By carrying out carefully considered practical

work, students will enhance their investigative thinking, improve their mastery of techniques and consolidate their understanding of key scientific concepts.’ from AQA

• There is now a Required practical summary document. It provides detailed sample lessons that meet the specified practical skills.


Why do practical work?Reasons for doing practical work are:-1. To support and consolidate scientific concepts

(knowledge and understanding).2. To develop investigative skills. 3. To build and master practical skills

“Questions in the written exams will draw on the knowledge and understanding students have gained by carrying out the practical activities as listed in the required practical document. These questions will count for at least 15% of the overall marks for the qualification. Many of our questions will also focus on investigative skills and how well students can apply what they know to practical situations often in novel contexts.” from AQA


Example : Density1. In the classroom we will

do the investigations suggested by AQA

2. This will include notes taken by the students and any calculations required.

3. We will explore data collecting, presenting, analysis and evaluation.

What will we do in the classroom?


Lets do the Investigation


Lets do the investigation

Regular shapeUse a ruler and measure the length of all sides in cm.Next multiply all three numbers together. This is volume in cm3.

Place the block on the balance and measure the mass.Now calculate the density.

Irregular shapeFill the eureka can with water and place a measuring cylinder as shown in diagram.Place the object in the can and measure the water displaced into the measuring cylinder (cm3).Measure the mass of the object and calculate the density


Question from specimen paper


More detailed question from specimen paper


Answer

Wednesday, 18 May 2016Answer


Practical requirement summary

1. Required practicals defined by the exam board

2. Measurement skills and analytical skills will be tested in the exam papers

3. No ISA coursework but now incorporated into the final exams.


How can you help your child?


Core practicals

On-line Exam focus

Thank you!

Individual sessions.


Developing Science Students Outside the Classroom

Establishing Routines

Resources • Show my Homework• Kerboodle• Revision Guides• Class Notebook

Revision Folders and Strategies


What do you think?


Establish Routines • Discuss with your child• Nominate ‘days off’• Regular slots for homework & study (4

evenings).• Build up to 5 evenings as exams approach

(after Easter).• Choose a routine to suit them e.g. work for 30

min with 15 min break then repeat.• Encourage a total of at least 8 hours per week

to start, build up to 10.• Create a study area which is well equipped

and free from distractions.

Rewards!!


Get Revising Planning Tool


Be Familiar with Resources SMH


Be Familiar with Resources Kerboodle


Science Text Books on Kerboodle


Class Notebook


Revision Folder o Start to build resources as topics are

taught.o Mind maps – 30 min per topico Add completed exam paperso Label clearlyo Avoid duplication


Quality RevisionOther Strategies

Flash CardsQuizletLook/cover/write/check


Exam Questions AQA Exam BoardTrilogy/separate sciences


Putting it into Practice Encourage students to read over notes from class Extract important information that must be

remembered (e.g. physics equations). Address any gaps in notes or gaps in knowledge

(e.g. use Kerboodle) Respond to marking comments and make

improvements in a different colour. Build a revision resource for the topic taught (e.g.

mind map, index cards) Test knowledge by completing past paper

questions and/or end of topic questions in text books and revision guides.


Core practicals

On-line Exam focus

Thank you!



Exam focus1. Number and length of exams for each course

(Double award trilogy and triple award Biology, Chemistry & Physics)

2. Exam structure: level of demand, type of questions

3. Command words4. Data sheets (equations in Physics, Chemistry)5. Answering questions (underlining key info,

showing working, planning extended response)

6. Exam preparation strategies (open book, timed, using mark scheme, examiners reports)


Double awardCombined Science

‘Trilogy’

Triple awardBiology, Chemistry,

Physics

• 2 exams per GCSE• 1¾ hours each• 100 marks each• Foundation & Higher

tier

• Total of 6 1¾ hour exams

• 6 exams• 1¼ hours each• 70 marks each• 2 Biology, 2

Chemistry, 2 Physics• Foundation & Higher

tier

• Total of 6 1¼ hour exams


Exam structureRamping is where the difficulty of a question increases progressively.It is used within a question and throughout a paper.


Exam structure

Combine a variety of question types• multiple choice• link box• sentence completion• short answer• calculations• labelling and drawing diagrams• graphs• chemical equations• extended response• practical skills


Multiple choice


Link box


Sentence completion


Short answer


Calculations (low demand)


Calculations (high demand)


Labelling and drawing diagrams

Wednesday, 18 May 2016Graphs


Chemical equations


Extended response


Practical skills


Command words• question keywords • tell you what the examiner wants you to do• very important to know!

• calculate• compare• complete• describe• evaluate• explain• state, give, name, write down• suggest• use the information in the passage

to…


Data sheets• Given in the exam: important that students

• are familiar with them• learn how to use them


Data sheets

In Physics exams:

• some equations are given• most must be learnt


Exam technique: top tips

• underline keywords / information in the question (e.g. command words)

• show all working in calculations• plan extended response• use keywords / scientific vocabulary


Exam preparation: Using past papers

• open book: answer with revision guide / notes / exercise book

• timed: to recreate the time pressure of the real thing

• collaborate: share understanding with another student

• mark schemes: identify areas of weakness, develop familiarity with examiners expectations

• examiners reports: highlight most common mistakes


Core practicals

On-line Exam focus

Thank you!


year 9 science curriculum - oaklands catholic school · test knowledge by completing past paper ......

Documents