Students in Physical World study Humanities and Science as a single subject, finding links between skills and concepts between both core learning areas. 

Year 7:

In Year 7 Physical World this term, students will continue the Civics & Citizenship unit they began halfway through last term. In this unit, students explain features of Australia’s Constitution, including the process for constitutional change. They explain how Australia’s legal system is based on the principle of justice. Students explain the diverse nature of Australian society and identify the importance of shared values in promoting a cohesive society. In Week 5, their Humanities unit will swap to Geography for the remainder of the year. The Science unit of focus over the next 10 weeks will be Biology. In this unit, students predict the effect of human and environmental changes on interactions between organisms and classify and organise diverse organisms based on observable differences.

Students will have two pieces of assessment. The first is a project where students will present their knowledge and solution about a problem in Coomera (or another suburb of their choice). They will propose a solution to the local issue, that takes into consideration different views of the community, legal and political implications and how it will promote a cohesive society in Coomera (or another suburb of their choice). This will be due at the end of Week 4. Their second piece of assessment will be an examination on the effect of human and environmental changes on interactions betweens organisms, and will assess their ability to classify and organise diverse organisms based on observable differences. They will complete this exam in Week 9.

Year 8:

In Year 8 Physical World this term, students will continue the Civics & Citizenship unit they began halfway through last term. In this unit, students analyse features of Australian democracy, and explain features of Australia’s democracy that enable active participation. They recognise different types of law in Australia and explain how laws are made. They identify the diverse belief systems in Australia and analyse issues about national identity and the factors that contribute to people’s sense of belonging. In Week 5, their Humanities unit will swap to Geography for the remainder of the year. The Science unit of focus over the next 10 weeks will be Chemistry. In this unit, students compare physical and chemical changes and use the particle model to explain and predict the properties and behaviours of substances.

Students will have two pieces of assessment. The first is an investigation where students present a solution to a Civics & Citizenship issue of their choice to explain the features of Australia’s democracy that enable active participation for citizens to effect change. This will be due in Week 4. Their second piece of assessment will be an experimental investigation into chemicl reactions that occur in everyday scenarios, which will be due in Week 8.

I encourage you to actively monitor your child's OneNote to monitor their progress over the course of the term, and to be in contact with the classroom teacher should you have any questions or concerns. I can also be contacted at nmccl31@eq.edu.au. 

It is a pleasure to share in your child's learning journey.

Nahdia McClymont

Head of Physical World