Grade 10 Life Sciences: 2024 Pacesetter & Program of Assessment

*It is mandatory for the teacher to complete actual dates and signature as he/she covers content and daily assessment.
INFORMAL ASSESSMENT Date
Date Week Strand Topic TERM 1 (Daily Assessments-Class and/or Home Work) Started -- Signature
Content Completed

17/1-19/1 1 Orientation to  BIOLOGICAL TERMS ACTIVITY -link to Grade 8-

Life Sciences BASELINE ASSESSMENT 9)
 VARIOUS SYSTEMS IN HUMAN’S BODY
ACTIVITY-link to Grade 8-9)
 What is Life Sciences?
 List FOUR strands in Life Sciences
What is Life Sciences?
 Program of Assessment, rules and code of conduct-
Subject
 Drawings of various graphs and diagrams
 Calculations : percentage, percentage
increase/decrease, average
 Skills listed under Specific Aims
22/1-26/1 2  Develop planning steps for a scientific investigation
Scientific methods  Identify variables in a scientific investigation
 Differentiate between validity and reliability
 How is validity and reliability ensured in a scientific
investigation
BASELINE ASSESSMENT  Microscope ACTIVITY-link o Grade 9
 Magnification ACTIVITY-link to Grade 9
 Discovery of the microscope
History of microscopy Microscope,  Differentiate between a light and electron
microscopic skills microscope
 Identify /state the functions of given parts on a
diagram of a microscope
 Calculate the actual size and magnification of a
scientific diagram
29/1-2/2 3 The Chemistry BASELINE ASSESSMENT  Analysis of compounds in brown bread ACTIVITY
of Life  Analysis of compounds in tinned fish ACTIVITY
P1:33 Marks Inorganic Compounds  State the functions of water
 State the functions and diseases associated with
the various minerals

1
 Grade 10 Life Sciences: 2024 Pacesetter & Program of Assessment

5/2-9/2 4  Composition of organic compounds

Organic compounds
 State the functions of carbohydrates, proteins and
lipids,
 State the functions of vitamins
 Mention nucleic acids
12/2-16/2 5  Draw a table showing the colour changes
associated with each food-test
 Interpret data based on the organic/inorganic
content of various food types
50 MARKS INFORMAL TEST ONE (THE CHEMISRY OF LIFE) 16 FEBRUARY 2024

19/2-23/2 6 Cells: The BASELINE ASSESSMENT  Drawing of a cell ACTIVITY

Basic  Functions of parts of a cell ACTIVITY
Units of Life
 Differences & similarities of plant & animal cells
P1:19 Marks
(Grade 9)ACTIVITY
Cell structure  Cell membranes, diffusion , osmosis and active
transport
 State the functions of the various cell components
 Make labelled drawings of selected cell organelles
26/2-1/3 7
 Tabulate differences between plant and animal cells
SBA FORMAL PRACTICAL TASK ONE 22 FEBRUARY 2024
50 MARKS INFORMAL TEST TWO (CELL: BASIC UNITS OF LIFE) 1 MARCH 2024
4/3-8/3 8 Cell Division: BASELINE ASSESSMENT  Nucleus and its components ACTIVITY
Mitosis  Cytoplasm and its components related to cell
P1:19 Marks division ACTIVITY
The Cell Cycle  Describe the events of the various phases of
mitosis
 Make a labelled drawing of selected phases of
mitosis
 Interpret the phases and events of mitosis from
given diagrams
11/3-15/3 9  Brief description of cancer
 Causes of cancer and treatment of cancer
50 MARKS INFORMAL TEST THREE (MITOSIS) 11 MARCH 2024
18/3-20/3 10 100 MARKS REVISION AND SBA FORMAL TEST ONE (WEEK 1 – 9) 15 MARCH 2024

2
 Grade 10 Life Sciences: 2024 Pacesetter & Program of Assessment

TERM 2 INFORMAL ASSESSMENT Date:

Date Week Strand Topic Content (Daily Assessments-Class and/or Home Work) Started – Signature
Completed
Plant tissues BASELINE  Revision of Plant cell ACTIVITY
P1:14 Marks ASSESSMENT  Revision on Mitosis and importance ACTIVITY
 Cell, tissues, organs and systems TERMINOLOGY
3/4-5/4 11 Cell Differentiation  Tissue and cell differentiation
Plant tissues  Describe the structure and functions of the various
plant tissues represented in diagrams
Plant Organs Root and Stem  Provide names and functions of various labelled
8/4-12/4 12 P1:9 Marks parts in a section through the root

 Draw cross-sections of root structure as observed

under microscope / micrographs
LIFE PROCESSES IN ANIMALS AND PLANTS

 Provide names and functions of various labelled

parts in a section through the stem
 Draw cross-sections of stem structure as observed
under microscopes / micrographs.
 Draw cross-sections of stem structure as observed
under microscopes / micrographs.
15/4-19/4 13 Leaf structure  Provide names & functions of various labelled parts
in a section through the leaf
50 MARKS INFORMAL TEST FOUR – PLANTS TISSUES AND ORGAN 19 APRIL 2024
22/4-26/4 14 Support and BASELINE -Diffusion and Osmosis ACTIVITY
Transport in ASSESSMENT -Functions of roots, xylem,& phloem tissues ACTIVITY
Plants
Water Translocation  Describe the movement of water from the soil into
P1:23 Marks
the roots and up the stem of a plant into the leaves
 Investigate water movement through xylem tissue
 Describe the movement of manufactured food from
the leaves to other parts of the plant
29/4-3/5 15 Transpiration  Factors that affect the rate of transpiration:
temperature, light intensity, wind and humidity
 Draw line graphs showing the effect of any one
environmental factor on the rate of transpiration
 Interpret graphs and explain the effect of
temperature, light Intensity, wind and humidity on
the rate of transpiration
50 MARKS INFORMAL TEST FIVE – SUPPORT AND TRANSPORT IN PLANTS; 06 MAY 2024

3
 Grade 10 Life Sciences: 2024 Pacesetter & Program of Assessment

6/5-10/5 16 Animal tissues BASELINE  Revision of Plant cell ACTIVITY

P1: 14 Marks ASSESSMENT  Revision on Mitosis and importance ACTIVITY
Animal tissues  Describe the structure and functions of the various
animal tissues represented in diagrams.
13/5-17/5 17 Support in Human skeleton  Identify the various bones of the skeletal system
Animals  The axial skeleton: facial bones, cranium,
P1:19 Marks foramen magnum, palate and jaws to link with
human evolution in Grade 12.
20/5-24/5 18  The appendicular skeleton: different bones
forming the arms and legs.
 Make a drawing of the L/S through a long bone
 Functions of the skeleton.
100 MARKS SBA FORMAL ASSIGNMENT(WEEK 1-18): 23 MAY 2024

27/5-31/5 19 Transport BASELINE  Terminology: (cell, tissues, organs, systems and

Systems in ASSESSMENT organisms) (Grade 9)ACTIVITY
Mammals-  Circulatory system-Grade 9 ACTIVITY
Human
P2:32 Marks Heart structure, blood  Provide names and functions of various labelled
vessels. parts of the external and internal structure of the
heart
 Provide names and functions of various major blood
vessels in the body
 Differentiate amongst capillaries, arteries and veins
3/6-7/6 20 Cardiac cycle  Describe the cardiac cycle
 Interpret data/graphs based on diseases that affect
the circulatory system
10/6-14/6 21 REVISION

JUNE EXAMINATION (Week 01–18)

4
 Grade 10 Life Sciences: 2024 Pacesetter & Program of Assessment

TERM 3 INFORMAL ASSESSMENT Date:

Date Week Strand Topic (Daily Assessments-Class and/or Home Work) Started –Completed Signature
9/7-12/7 22 History of life and
Earth  Describe factors that have led to changes in life forms that have
P2:43 Marks existed over millions of Years

 The relationship to changes in climate (e.g. Increase in oxygen

levels, ice ages)
 Geological events (e.g. movement of continents; introduction to
biogeography

 The three eras: Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Coenozoic

 Each era divided into periods (names of periods not to be
memorized).
 Geological timescale (Meaning and use of timescales (details not to
be memorized)

15/7-19/7 23 Geological time,  Interpret various forms of the geological time scale and
Cambrian representations of the history of life on Earth
 Origins of early forms of all animal groups.
explosion
 Life-forms have gradually changed to become present life forms.
Diversity, change and continuity

In the last four million years significant changes have occurred in

species occurring in Africa (e.g. humans)

22/7-26/7 24 Mass extinctions  Five mass extinctions, particularly important : 250 mya and 65 mya
& Fossil formation  The rate of extinction on the Earth at present as compared with at
any time in the past
 The sixth extinction
 What are fossils?

 Describe how a fossil is formed and ways in which it’s age is

determined
 Evidence on key events in life history – earliest forms of life in South
Africa
50 MARKS INFORMAL TEST SIX: HISTORY OF LIFE AND EXTINCTIONS
29 JULY 2024

5
 Grade 10 Life Sciences: 2024 Pacesetter & Program of Assessment

29/7-2/8 25 Biomes to BASELINE  Biosphere-Grade 7 ACTIVITY

ecosystems ASSESSM  Biodiversity, plants & animals-Grade 7 ACTIVITY
P2:54 Marks ENT  Microorganisms, Ecology & Ecosystem-Grade 8 ACTIVITY
 The concept of Biosphere
 Interconnectedness with and components of global ecosystems:
hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere
 Locate and provide characteristics of the various biomes in South
Africa
5/8-8/8 26  Identify abiotic factors in an ecosystem
 Interpret data/draw graphs showing the effect of the abiotic factors
on living organisms
 Identify biotic factors in an ecosystem
 Interpret data based on producers, consumers and decomposers
50 Marks INFORMAL TEST SEVEN: BIOMES AND ECOSYSTEM: 12 AUGUST 2024
12/8-16/8 27 Biotic factors & BASELINE  Food chains, food webs & energy flow-Grade 8 ACTIVITY
Environmental studies

Energy flow ASSESSMENT

Food chains  Interpret data based on food chains and food webs
and food  Interpret data based on food pyramids and energy flow
webs
19/8-23/8 28 Flow charts of Nutrient  Describe how water, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen is cycled through
nutrient cycle cycles an ecosystem
 Interpret flow diagrams based on the water, oxygen, carbon and
nitrogen cycles
FORMAL SBA PRACTICAL 2 -21 AUGUST 2024
50 Marks INFORMAL TEST EIGHT: BIOMES AND ECOSYSTEMS 26 AUGUST 2024
26/8-30/8 29 Biodiversity Biodiversity  Provide the correct term for various phrases/definitions related to
and Diversity,
classification  Change and Continuity: Biodiversity, endemism, indigenous
Diversity, 0change and continuity

P2:21 Marks Classification  Brief history of classification.

 Grouping of everyday objects on the basis of shared similarities into
a simple nested hierarchy
 The naming of organisms in science: focus on Linnaeus (Carl von
Linne ) and his role
 Differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes- link to cell
structure
2/9-6/9 30  List the five main groupings of the living organisms
 Tabulate the distinguishing features of each of the five groups of
living organisms

6
 Grade 10 Life Sciences: 2024 Pacesetter & Program of Assessment

9/9-13/9 31 50 Marks INFORMAL TEST NINE: Biodiversity and classification 6 SEPTEMBER 2024
16/9-20/9 32 100 MARKS REVISION AND SBA FORMAL TEST THREE(WEEK 22 - 30) 12 SEPTEMBER 2024

TERM 4 INFORMAL ASSESSMENT Date:

Date Week Strand Topic (Daily Assessments-Class and/or Home Work) Started –Completed Signature

ALL ALL TOPICS

1/10-11/12 33-43 STRANDS
REVISION
End-of-year Examination

End-of-year examinations
PAPER 1 PAPER 2
Marks: 150 Marks: 150
Time: 2½ hours Time: 2½ hours
Learners must answer all 3 questions. Learners must answer all 3
questions.
Topics and marks:
Chemistry of Life – 33 Topics and marks:
Cells: Basic units of life- 19 Transport systems in mammals –
Cell division (mitosis) – 19 32
Plant and Animal Tissues – 28 Biosphere to ecosystems – 54
Plant organs – 9 Biodiversity and classification – 21
Support and transport systems: plants- 23 History of life on earth - 43
Support systems: animals - 19

Preparation for Final Examination

Cognitive levels: Knowing Science – 40%; Understanding Science-25%; Applying scientific
knowledge-20%; Evaluating, analysing and synthesising – 15%

Degrees of difficulty for examination and test questions: Easy- 30%; Moderate - 40%; Difficult -25%;
Very difficult – 5%

7
 Grade 10 Life Sciences: 2024 Pacesetter & Program of Assessment

Elaboration on the different tasks of the Programme of Formal Assessment

1. TESTS AND EXAMINATIONS
• All formal and informal tests as indicated in the program must be 3. PRACTICAL TASKS
written on the specified date. • 30 – 40 marks are allocated to a practical task
• The test and examinations covers all work as indicated in the pace • Each practical task assesses at least 3 of the 7 skills
setter. and must include skill 6 and/or 7
• Each informal test must be 50 to 60 marks. • At least ONE of the practical tasks includes manipulation
• Each formal test must be 100 marks. of apparatus and/or collection of data
• Mainly specific Aims 1 and 3 are covered. • All 7 skills are covered annually
• Specific aim 2 (knowledge and understanding of investigations and 1. Follow instructions
practical work) is also included but in a smaller proportion compared 2. Handle apparatus
to Specific Aims 1 and 3. 3. Make observations
•
Tests and examinations are balanced in terms of cognitive levels, 4. Record data
degree of difficulty and topic weightings. In this regard weightings 5. Measure
grids should be used.
6. Interpret
• Tests and examinations must be analysed diagnostically (item
analysis) and appropriate remedial and intervention strategies 7. Design/plan investigations
instituted.
• Tests and examinations follow the external examination in its design, Plan and design investigations by:
rigour and format 1. Identify a problem
2. ASSIGNMENT 2. Hypothesizing
3. Selecting apparatus or equipment
 The assignment is a long task (1½ - 2 hours under controlled conditions)
and/or materials
 It is out of 100 marks 4. Identifying variables Procedure
 Is completed at school and not at home 5. Suggesting ways of controlling
• Covers a variety of topicsIncludes as many as possible of the variables
following: 6. Planning an experiment
- Analysing and interpreting data 7. Suggesting ways of recording results
- Making drawings 8. Understanding the need for replication or
- Plotting graphs and Drawing tables verification / reliability and validity
- Performing calculations
- Justifying conclusions