Chemistry
A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught
essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.
Year 8 Curriculum Content
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Theme |
Content |
Assessment |
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1 Matter: Diffusion, Density and Pressure
(7 weeks) |
K & U Linking microscopic properties with macroscopic effects of diffusion, density and gas pressure. S: Select and use equipment and techniques that are appropriate for the measurements being made. Identify control variables. Draw conclusions from data. Solve simple formulae and use appropriate SI units. |
50-minute short answer topic test. |
|
2 Elements and the Periodic Table (7 weeks) |
· K & U of Mendeleev’s development of the Periodic Table and why theories change over time. S: Use appropriate chemical symbols. · K & U of the explanation of the differences between metals and non-metals · K & U of trends within Groups of the Periodic Table: S: Describe trends from a graph. Draw conclusions from data. |
50-minute short answer topic test. |
|
3 Elements Mixtures and Compounds (6 weeks) |
K & U Linking microscopic properties with macroscopic properties of elements, compounds and mixtures. S: Use appropriate chemical symbols to write formulae for compounds. S: Make careful observations and draw conclusions from collected data. K & U of separation techniques. S: Select and use equipment and techniques that are appropriate to separate a mixture. |
50-minute short answer topic test. |
|
4 Chemical Reactions (6 weeks) |
K & U of chemical reactions, such as: combustion, neutralisation and corrosion. S: Use appropriate chemical symbols to write formula equations and word equations. |
50-minute short answer topic test. |
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5 Atomic and Electronic Structure (5 weeks) |
K & U of the model of the atom, including electronic structure for the first 20 elements. S: Interpret and draw appropriate scientific diagrams. Use models while appreciating their limitations. K & U of the development of the model of the atom and why theories change over time. K & U of isotopes. S: Use appropriate chemical symbols. |
Development of the model of the atom writing project. |
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6 The Periodic Table: Groups 1, 2 & 7 (6 weeks) |
K & U Linking microscopic properties with macroscopic effects in the context of the electronic structure and trends within Groups 1, 2 and 7. S: Identify patterns. |
50-minute short answer topic test. |