Slovenia Osnovna šola 8. razred Curriculum - Nature and Technology

This curriculum outlines the Nature and Technology course for 4th and 5th grade in Slovenian primary schools. It emphasizes an experiential and inquiry-based approach to learning, integrating science and technology concepts.

Key Features:

• Integration of Science and Technology: The curriculum blends science and technology, dedicating a third of the instructional time to technology.
• Experiential Learning: Students are encouraged to explore natural and artificial environments, conduct experiments, and engage in practical activities.
• Inquiry-Based Approach: The curriculum promotes questioning, hypothesis formation, experimental design, data collection and interpretation, and communication of findings.
• Systems Thinking: Students learn about natural and artificial systems, exploring their structure, function, and interactions.
• Technological Literacy: Students develop skills in using technology for information processing and communication.
• Environmental Awareness: The curriculum fosters responsible environmental practices and an understanding of sustainable development.

Curriculum Structure:

The curriculum is organized into the following thematic areas:

1. Matter:

• Classifying Matter and Properties of Matter (4th Grade): Students learn to classify materials based on properties like malleability, compressibility, hardness, and density. They explore the relationship between these properties and material usage, learn about symbols for hazardous materials, and investigate magnetic and electrical conductivity.
• Storing Matter (5th Grade): This topic covers the concept of volume, mass conservation, density, and appropriate storage methods for different states of matter. Students also learn about the importance of packaging and its environmental impact.
• Changing Properties of Matter (4th Grade): Students explore methods for separating mixtures, observe changes in material properties due to heating and cooling, and learn about the importance of waste separation and recycling. They also engage in model building using various materials.
• Matter in Nature (5th Grade): This section focuses on water, soil, and air. Students learn about the water cycle, soil composition, air pollution, and the importance of environmental protection.

2. Forces and Motion:

• Movement and Transportation (4th Grade): Students investigate different types of motion, forces (gravity, friction, magnetic, electrical), and traffic safety rules. They also build and test vehicle models.
• Devices and Machines (Construction Kits) (5th Grade): This topic introduces simple machines like levers, pulleys, and gears. Students build and test models of these machines, exploring their principles of operation.
• Earth's Motion (5th Grade): Students learn about the Earth's rotation and its relationship to day and night, as well as the concept of shadows and lunar phases.

3. Phenomena:

• Flow of Matter (4th Grade): This section covers the path of water from source to tap, water usage, and the construction of water reservoirs. Students also build models of water wheels and piping systems. Basic electrical circuits are also introduced.
• Liquids Flow (5th Grade): Students explore the flow of liquids due to pressure differences, learn about pumps and pressure gauges, and investigate heat and temperature.
• Heat and Temperature (5th Grade): This topic covers heat transfer, temperature measurement, thermal insulation, and the principles of combustion.
• Wind (5th Grade): Students learn about the causes of wind, methods for measuring wind speed and direction, and the role of wind in pollination and seed dispersal.
• Influence of the Sun on Weather (5th Grade): This section explores the Sun's role in heating the Earth, the relationship between the Earth's tilt and seasons, and the concepts of cyclones and anticyclones.

4. Humans:

• The Human Body (4th Grade): Students learn about cells as the basic building blocks of life, the skeletal and muscular systems, the importance of nutrition and hygiene, and the circulatory and respiratory systems.
• Nutrition (5th Grade): This topic covers the importance of a balanced diet, the consequences of malnutrition and overeating, and food preservation.
• Health Care (5th Grade): Students learn about personal responsibility for health, disease prevention, and the dangers of addiction.

5. Living Beings:

• Classifying Living Beings (4th Grade): Students learn to classify living organisms into groups based on shared characteristics, focusing on plants, animals, and fungi in their local environment.
• Living Beings Exchange and Transform Matter with the Environment (5th Grade): This topic covers respiration, the importance of water for life, the water cycle in plants, and the process of photosynthesis.
• Growth and Development (4th Grade): Students explore the changes in living organisms due to growth and development, the influence of heredity and environment, and adaptation to the environment.
• Food Chains and Webs (5th Grade): Students learn about the interdependence of living beings, the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers, and the impact of humans on the environment.

This curriculum promotes active learning, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of the natural world and technological principles.