South Africa Grade 7 Life Orientation Course Entries

This document outlines the course content for Grade 7 Life Orientation in South Africa, based on the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS).

Life Orientation aims to guide learners to achieve their full potential, develop skills to respond to challenges, exercise their constitutional rights and responsibilities, make informed decisions about their health and future, and participate in physical development activities. Two hours per week are allocated to Life Orientation, with one hour dedicated to Physical Education and the remaining hour split among the other four topics.

Term 1

• Development of the Self in Society: Focuses on self-image, including personal strengths, weaknesses, interests, and abilities. Learners explore strategies to enhance their self-image and the self-image of others through positive actions and respect.
• Social and Environmental Responsibility: Introduces the concept of communicable diseases, covering measles, mumps, tuberculosis, influenza, chickenpox, diarrhea, malaria, diabetes, HIV, and AIDS. Learners examine causes, prevention strategies, signs, symptoms, treatment options, and resources for health information and services.
• Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities: Explores children's rights and responsibilities as stipulated in the South African Constitution, as well as violations of these rights.
• World of Work: Emphasizes the importance of reading and studying, including reading for enjoyment and reading with understanding.
• Physical Education: Learners participate in a sequence of physical activities focusing on rotation, balance, and elevation movements. Movement performance is also assessed.

Term 2

• Development of the Self in Society: Explores peer pressure, its different forms, effects (crime, unhealthy sexual behavior, bullying, rebellious behavior), and appropriate responses. Learners develop assertiveness and negotiation skills.
• Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities: Continues exploring children's rights, focusing on strategies to deal with violations and where to find help. Learners also examine leadership roles in various religions (healer, minister, nun, monk, prophet, scholar, teacher).
• World of Work: Investigates various career fields, including qualities, related school subjects, work environments, opportunities, challenges, required schooling levels, duration of study, and resources for career and study information.
• Physical Education: Learners participate in indigenous games that incorporate the concept of invasion. Movement performance is assessed.

Term 3

• Development of the Self in Society: Addresses physical and emotional changes in boys and girls, emphasizing understanding, appropriate responses, associated qualities and behavioral patterns, and self-appreciation and acceptance.
• Social and Environmental Responsibility: Focuses on substance abuse, including types, dangers, effects on individual health, social effects, and rehabilitation options.
• World of Work: Involves simulating career-related activities, including researching and presenting on a chosen career (dress code, tools, work environment, place of employment, personality characteristics, required schooling, study duration, employer, and related careers). Learners also examine the value and importance of work in fulfilling personal needs and potential.
• Physical Education: Learners participate in modified sports, with movement performance assessed.

Term 4

• Development of the Self in Society: Explores personal diet and nutrition, including the nutritional value of different food groups and ways to improve personal diets. Learners also examine the importance of sport for physical development.
• Social and Environmental Responsibility: Focuses on informed, responsible decision-making about health and safety, including compassion for people and animals, and traffic rules.
• Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities: Addresses child abuse, including different forms (emotional, physical, sexual, child trafficking), effects on health and relationships, strategies for protection, and places of safety and help.
• Physical Education: Learners participate in recreational activities, with movement performance assessed.

Assessment

Formal assessment includes projects, assignments, case studies, tests, and examinations. Physical Education is assessed throughout the year based on participation and movement performance. Each formal assessment task is worth 100 marks, with 80 marks for written work and 20 marks for Physical Education. The four internal tasks contribute 100% of the total mark out of 400.