LEVEL 4 TWO YEAR CURRICULUM PLAN ACTIVE LEARNING Major study = 4 periods/week Minor study = 2 periods/week

YEAR 1 Term 1
Major study Earth What forces shape the Earth? VELS links Science
Describe the composition of layers within the Earth. Explain the function of the layers of the Earths atmosphere.

Other links Penshurst excursion

Geography
Identify and describe Australias significant natural processes. Describe the reaction of people to these processes including the management of natural disasters. Use geographic language to identify and describe the human and physical characteristics of local and global environments depicted by different kinds of maps, diagrams, photographs and satellite images. Use atlases, street directories and town plan maps to accurately describe the distance, direction and location of places. Identify features from maps, satellite images, and oblique photographs. Research, collect, record and describe data obtained through field study surveys and measurements to form conclusions about the use of resources .

Minor studies How can I be a great learner? Cybersafety How can I keep safe online? Major study The Human Body How do I work?

VELS links Personal Learning Thinking ICT

Other links

Term 2
VELS links Health
Identify the likely physical, emotional and social changes that occur during puberty. Identify and discuss the validity of the ways in which people define their own and other peoples identity. Describe the physical, social and emotional dimensions of health and establish health goals and plan strategies for improving their personal health. Describe a range of health services, products and information that can be accessed to help meet health needs and concerns.

Other links Puberty Clues Scienceworks exhibition 2011

Science
Identify and explain the connections between systems in the human body and their various functions.

Minor studies Animation How can I make an entertaining animation?

VELS links ICT

Other links 5/6 Animated Film Festival

Term 3
Major study Melbourne Why do we live where we do? VELS links Civics & Citizenship
Describe the nature of Australias democracy that developed as a result of Federation. Describe the three levels of government and some of the key functions of each level. Explain the basic elements of Australias federal parliamentary system and key democratic principles and values such as freedom of speech and equality before the law. Demonstrate understanding of the process of making and changing laws.

Other links Melbourne Camp

Geography
Use geographic language to identify and describe the human and physical characteristics of local and global environments depicted by different kinds of maps, diagrams, photographs and satellite images. Use atlases, street directories and town plan maps to accurately describe the distance, direction and location of places. Identify features from maps, satellite images, and oblique photographs. Draw sketch maps of their neighbourhood using simple mapping conventions such as title, scale, north point and legend. Research, collect, record and describe data obtained through field study surveys and measurements to form conclusions about the use of resources.

History
Demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of significant events in Australian history including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, European settlement, the development of the colonies, the development of the wool industry, the 1850s gold rushes; the moves to self-government, Federation; and World War I. Sequence events and describe their significance in bringing about particular developments. Use a range of primary and secondary sources to investigate the past.

Minor studies Australian History

VELS links History

Energy

Health Science

Other links National History Challenge Energy Safety Week Other links Otways excursion

Term 4
Major study Ecosystems How do living things stay alive? VELS links Science
Identify and explain the relationships that exist within and between food chains in the environment. Use everyday examples to illustrate the transforming and transferring of energy. Apply the terms relationships, models and systems appropriately as ways of representing complex structures. Geography Compare the various ways humans have used and affected the Australian environment.

Recommend ways of protecting environmentally sensitive areas in a sustainable way. Provide examples and evidence based on their inquiries. Use geographic language to identify and describe the human and physical characteristics of local and global environments depicted by different kinds of maps, diagrams, photographs and satellite images. Research, collect, record and describe data obtained through field study surveys and measurements to form conclusions about the use of resources.

Minor studies Personal Interest Projects

VELS links Personal Learning ICT Communication

Other links PIPs presentation

YEAR 2 Term 1
Major study Studies of Asia Whats Asia got to do with me? VELS links Geography Use geographic language to identify and describe the human and physical characteristics of local and global environments depicted by different kinds of maps, diagrams, photographs and satellite images. History Demonstrate an understanding of the histories of some cultural groups which make up Australia today. Make links and appropriate comparisons with contemporary Australia. Demonstrate an understanding of key aspects of an Asian country or countries within the Australian region. Explain significant events and people in the history of that country or countries. Describe aspects of governance, customs, religious traditions and daily life. Civics & Citizenship What multiculturalism means and how different cultural groups contribute to Australias identity VELS links Economics Other links

Minor studies Economics Does money make the world go round? Substances How do substances change?

Other links The REAL Game

Science Explain change in terms of cause and effect. Identify the characteristics of physical and chemical changes. Describe how substances change during reactions. Identify and compare the properties of the new or changed material/s with those of the original material/s. Explain the role of chemical change in the production of new materials.

Term 2
Major study Gold What makes gold so special? VELS links History Demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of significant events in Australian history including the 1850s gold rushes Sequence events and describe their significance in bringing about particular developments. Use a range of primary and secondary sources to investigate the past. Present their understandings in a range of forms. VELS links Health Civics & Citizenship Communication Other links Sovereign Hill Camp

Minor studies The Human Body Poverty What can I do about poverty? Major study Environment How can we look after our world?

Other links Puberty Clues ruMAD

Term 3
VELS links Geography Compare the various ways humans have used and affected the Australian environment. Recommend ways of protecting environmentally sensitive areas in a Other links Waterwatch Rubbish Free Lunch

Minor studies Australian History

sustainable way. Use geographic language to identify and describe the human and physical characteristics of local and global environments depicted by different kinds of maps, diagrams, photographs and satellite images. Draw sketch maps of their neighbourhood using simple mapping conventions such as title, scale, north point and legend. Research, collect, record and describe data obtained through field study surveys and measurements to form conclusions about the use of resources. Civics & Citizenship Present a point of view on a significant current issue or issues and include recommendations about the actions that individuals and governments can take to resolve issues. Demonstrate understanding that there are different viewpoints on an issue, and contribute to group and class decision making. VELS links History

Other links National History Challenge Other links Scienceworks excursion

Term 4
Major study Space What is out there? VELS links Science Explain how the Earth and the Moon operate as a simple system within the larger solar system. Qualitatively describe changes in motion in terms of the forces present. Technology Investigate, design, produce, evaluate VELS links Personal Learning ICT Communication

Minor studies Personal Interest Projects

Other links PIPs presentation

VICTORIAN ESSENTIAL LEARNING STANDARDS LEVEL 4

Health and Physical Education
Identify the likely physical, emotional and social changes that occur during puberty. Identify and discuss the validity of the ways in which people define their own and other peoples identity. Describe the actions they can take if they feel unsafe at home, school and in the community. Describe the physical, social and emotional dimensions of health and establish health goals and plan strategies for improving their personal health. Describe a range of health services, products and information that can be accessed to help meet health needs and concerns. Analyse and explain physiological, social, cultural and economic reasons for food choices and analyse and describe food selection models. Describe how to prepare and store food hygienically. How Australias democracy works What each of the three levels of government does What multiculturalism means and how different cultural groups contribute to Australias identity How laws are made and changed Why people of different cultures and at different times in history create art Describe the nature of the economic problem (scarcity) and explain how selected goods and services are produced and distributed. Describe the difference between needs and wants, and their own roles as producers and consumers of goods and services. Explain the need to be an informed consumer. Explain the role of work in society and distinguish between paid and unpaid work. Compare different types of work and enterprise in the local community. Demonstrate basic understanding of personal money management and the role of banking, budgeting and saving. Use the inquiry process to plan economics investigations about economic issues in the home, school or local community and form conclusions supported by evidence. Identify and describe Australias significant natural processes. Describe the reaction of people to these processes including the management of natural disasters. Compare the various ways humans have used and affected the Australian environment. Recommend ways of protecting environmentally sensitive areas in a sustainable way. Provide examples and evidence based on their inquiries. Use geographic language to identify and describe the human and physical characteristics of local and global environments depicted by different kinds of maps, diagrams, photographs and satellite images. Use atlases, street directories and town plan maps to accurately describe the distance, direction and location of places. Identify features from maps, satellite images, and oblique photographs. Draw sketch maps of their neighbourhood using simple mapping conventions such as title, scale, north point and legend. Research, collect, record and describe data obtained through field study surveys and measurements to form conclusions about the use of resources. Demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of significant events in Australian history including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, European settlement, the development of the colonies, the development of the wool industry, the 1850s gold rushes; the moves to selfgovernment, Federation; and World War I. Demonstrate an understanding of the histories of some cultural groups which make up Australia today. Make links and appropriate comparisons with contemporary Australia. Demonstrate an understanding of key aspects of an Asian country or countries within the Australian region.

Civics and Citizenship

The Arts Economics

Geography

History

Science

Civics & Citizenship

Explain significant events and people in the history of that country or countries. Describe aspects of governance, customs, religious traditions and daily life. Explain the values important to other societies and their own and links between other countries and Australia. Compare and contrast the values and beliefs of Australians and people of other cultures. Compare aspects of different cultures and countries, in both the past and present, and ask questions about their own society. Sequence events and describe their significance in bringing about particular developments. Use a range of primary and secondary sources to investigate the past. With support, they frame research questions and plan their own inquiries. Comprehend and question sources and make judgments about the views being expressed, the completeness of the evidence, and the values represented. Use appropriate historical language and concepts to develop historical explanations. Present their understandings in a range of forms. Explain change in terms of cause and effect. Identify the characteristics of physical and chemical changes. Describe how substances change during reactions. Identify and compare the properties of the new or changed material/s with those of the original material/s. Explain the role of chemical change in the production of new materials. Qualitatively describe changes in motion in terms of the forces present. Apply the terms relationships, models and systems appropriately as ways of representing complex structures. Identify and explain the connections between systems in the human body and their various functions. Identify and explain the relationships that exist within and between food chains in the environment. Use everyday examples to illustrate the transforming and transferring of energy. Explain how the Earth and the Moon operate as a simple system within the larger solar system. Describe the composition of layers within the Earth. Explain the function of the layers of the Earths atmosphere. Analyse a range of science-related local issues and describe the relevance of science to their own and other peoples lives. Explain how sustainable practices have been developed and/or are applied in their local environment. Describe the contributions Australian scientists have made to improve and/or change science knowledge. Design their own simple experiments to collect data and draw conclusions. Describe the purpose of experiments they undertake, including a statement of ethical considerations, and relate this purpose to the nature of the data that is collected. Design and build simple models and write an account of the science that is central to explanation of the model. Use diagrams and symbols to explain procedures used when reporting on their investigations. Approach data collection systematically, and analyse data qualitatively in terms of errors of measurement. Use a range of simple measuring instruments and materials, and demonstrate understanding of their personal responsibility in using them. Identify and describe safety requirements and procedures associated with experiments and the use of standard equipment. Use the terms relationships and cause and effect when discussing and drawing conclusions from the data they collect. Describe the nature of Australias democracy that developed as a result of Federation. Describe the three levels of government and some of the key functions of each level. Explain the basic elements of Australias federal parliamentary system and key democratic principles and values such as freedom of speech and equality before the law.

Design, Creativity & Technology

Explain the concept of multiculturalism and describe the contribution of various cultural groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, to Australian identity. Demonstrate understanding of the process of making and changing laws. Demonstrate understanding of the roles and responsibilities of leaders, and of democratic processes, when engaging in school and community activities. Present a point of view on a significant current issue or issues and include recommendations about the actions that individuals and governments can take to resolve issues. Demonstrate understanding that there are different viewpoints on an issue, and contribute to group and class decision making. Contribute to the development of design briefs that include some limitations and specifications. Individually and in teams, they use a range of methods to research and collect data in response to design briefs. Generate and communicate alternative design ideas in response to a design brief and use words, labelled sketches and models, to demonstrate that they are aware of environmental and social constraints. Take account of the views of users/consumers and produce step-by-step plans and/or modify recipes for making products and/or simple mechanical/electrical systems. Describe how their intended product will function or be used, and what it will look like in the context of the requirements of the design brief. Identify evaluation criteria from design briefs and use them to justify design choices. Use their production plan and select and work safely with a variety of materials/ingredients and systems components to produce functional products and/or systems. Use a range of measuring, marking, joining/combining techniques to alter materials and finishing/presentation methods, and operate tools and equipment competently, showing consideration of safety and hygiene, and record their progress. Reflect on their designs as they develop them and use evaluation criteria, identified from design briefs, to justify their design choices. Modify their designs/products/systems after considered evaluation of feedback from peers and teachers, and their own reflection. Describe the impact products and technological systems have on people and the environment .