Sweden Mellanstadiet Biology Syllabus

The Swedish National Agency for Education (Skolverket) outlines the biology curriculum for Mellanstadiet (years 4-6) within the Läroplan för grundskolan (Lgr22). The curriculum emphasizes fostering curiosity about the natural world and the human body, developing an understanding of biological concepts, and promoting critical thinking skills.

Years 4-6: Focus Areas

• Nature and Environment: This section covers the definition of life, the theory of evolution, biodiversity, and organisms' adaptations to their environment. Students learn about food chains, cycles in the local environment, and the interaction between animals, plants, and fungi. The curriculum also emphasizes human dependence on and impact on nature, connecting it to sustainable development and ecosystem services. Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are also introduced.
• Body and Health: Students learn about the human organ systems, including the names, appearance, location, function, and interaction of some organs. Common diseases, prevention, and treatment are discussed, along with the impact of lifestyle factors on physical and mental health. The curriculum also addresses puberty, reproduction, sexuality, identity, relationships, love, and responsibility.
• Systematic Investigations and Information Analysis: This area focuses on developing practical skills through field studies and experiments using both analog and digital tools. Students learn to plan, execute, and evaluate results, documenting their findings using various methods. The curriculum also encourages critical analysis and use of information related to biology.

Assessment Criteria for Year 6

The assessment criteria for Year 6 are based on a grading scale from A (highest) to E (lowest). Students are evaluated on their knowledge of biological concepts and explanatory models, their ability to describe biological relationships, their use of information to reason about environmental and health issues, and their ability to conduct and evaluate systematic investigations. More detailed descriptions of the criteria for each grade can be found in the official curriculum document.