ASSET Curriculum Framework
Science
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ASSET Curriculum Framework - Science
ASSET science tests use a two-dimensional framework which focuses on assessment of skills relevant in the learning and practice of
science while situating the questions in the context of scientific knowledge that students would be familiar with.
ASSET tests are based on outcomes expected by the previous grade, e.g. grade 8 ASSET paper covers the skills students are expected to
have mastered by the end of grade 7. A few questions could also be based on certain skills even from earlier grades if these skills are
seen as essential for mastering higher grade concepts. At times, certain questions are repeated across a few grades to primarily
understand the extent to which certain misconceptions exist across grades or the extent to which the understanding of a certain
concept improves or does not improve as students move into higher grades.
ASSET papers for grades 3-5 test for understanding of scientific ideas mostly based on the common observations which children may
have made at home, school and in their immediate outside environments. These would cover observations of the natural world as well
as of the world of man-made materials, common devices/appliances toys, etc. Students in these grades are not expected to be familiar
with the scientific terms or to have an explanatory conceptual understanding of the observed phenomena.
It is important to note here that this curriculum framework document should be seen more as a guideline for learning expectations at
different grades than to prepare students on these exact outcomes. At times, based on our student performance data on questions and
derived insights around what students can be expected to know/do by a certain grade, ASSET papers may have questions to test
learning outcomes not explicitly stated in this framework. The wrong options (distractors) in the questions are often framed keeping in
mind the alternate conceptions students may have or the variety of thinking errors that students may make. Students’ responses to
these options often provides interesting insights into their thinking and/or learning gaps.
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Skills covered by ASSET science across grades
Core skill: Knowledge of Basic Science Facts
1. Recollection or recognition of science facts and concepts
2. Definition or description of scientific terms, organisms or materials
Core skill: Conceptual Understanding and Comprehension
3. Knowledge of use of scientific instruments, tools and procedures
4. Classification/comparison of organisms/processes; giving examples
Core skill: Reasoning and Analysis Skills
5. Representing, relating or explaining scientific processes or observed phenomena
6. Extraction, translation and application of knowledge or information
7. Analysis of information to identify trends or properties
8. Advanced or complex data representation or interpretation
Core skill: Original Thinking
9. Complex analysis, data interpretation, integrating different concepts
10. Hypothesis formulation or prediction of outcome
11. Integrating different concepts or information for decision making
12. Hypothesis formulation; design of apparatus or experiment
13. Design of appropriate apparatus, experiment or activity for scientific investigation
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The following table shows the mapping of these skills across different grades.
Classes
Skills
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Recollection or recognition of science facts and concepts
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Definition or description of scientific terms, organisms or materials
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Knowledge of use of scientific instruments, tools and procedures
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Classification/comparison of organisms/processes; giving examples
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Representing, relating or explaining scientific processes or observed phenomena
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Extraction, translation and application of knowledge or information
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Analysis of information to identify trends or properties
Advanced or complex data representation or interpretation
Complex analysis, data interpretation, integrating different concepts
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Hypothesis formulation or prediction of outcome
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Integrating different concepts or information for decision making
Hypothesis formulation; design of apparatus or experiment
Design of appropriate apparatus, experiment or activity for scientific investigation
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Content covered by ASSET science
ASSET science papers cover the following content areas from the science curriculum:
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Physical sciences (physics, chemistry)
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Life sciences (plant, animal and human biology)
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Earth sciences (environment science, cosmic science)
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Scientific literacy
The following grade-wise tables describe in some detail most of the content areas tested by ASSET science tests.
Grade 3
Key ideas
Animals and Human Body
Recognizing shapes of body parts of common birds and animals; use of body parts by birds and animals
Relative sizes of common birds and animals; behaviour of common birds and other animals (based on
observations)
Human sensory organs and external body parts (based on observations)
Classification of Living Organisms
Comparing and recognizing common plants - stem, bark, shape, growing above/below soil, eaten
raw/cooked
Comparing and recognizing common birds and animals - egg-laying, external body parts, footprints,
feeding habit, habitat, shape of teeth/skull/skeleton, behaviour
Cosmic and Earth Sciences
Sun - rising/setting, movement across the sky, change in the length and direction of outdoor shadows
Moon - change in the shape during a night/day/week/month, from different places, rising/setting
(observations, no explanations)
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Stars - based on common observations
Food and Nutrition
Comparison and classification of food items: Raw/cooked, spoilage/shelf life, plant/animal source
Recognition of common food items based on taste, shape, colour in original and common
cooked/processed forms
Common food preparation/cooking methods observed at home
Light and Optics
Use of transparent/translucent materials (terms not be used)
Matching shadows with objects; dependence of direction, size and shape of shadows on the position of
light source
Perception of depth and apparent size of objects (based on observations)
Matter
Comparison, classification and use of common materials based on their common observable properties
(flexibility, elasticity, stretchability, stickiness, hardness, fragility, porosity, viscosity, transparency, thermal
conductivity, wettability, solubility, floatation in water, absorption of water, etc.)
Use of materials in common objects based on their properties
Evaporation and condensation, melting/freezing - observable effects of common materials
Natural Resources and Phenomena
Water - safe drinking water, ways to clean water
Materials - plant/animals sources
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Judicious use of resources, ways to minimize waste generation
Observable weather phenomena (no explanations), reading weather chart symbols
Observable effects of wind, sun, rain
Observable properties of mud, sand, clay, water, stones
Plants - Form and Function
Comparison of fruits/vegetables based on shape, size, weight, colour, taste, peel, seeds
Recognizing leaves, fruits, flowers of common plants
Common observable behaviour and interaction of plants and other organisms
Growing common plants
Scientific Literacy
Comparison of amounts of a substance in different objects or containers
Comparison of size, shape, colour
Interpreting/analyzing pictures
Reading common signages
Map reading: moving about with turns
Familiarity with common objects and devices; advantages of specially designed objects/devices
Experiment design: vary the feature being examined, keep all other features same in two set-ups
Experiment design: identify the question that can be answered using the collected/given information
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Grade 4
Key ideas
Animals and Human Body
Recognizing common animals based on feeding habits, habitat, body parts, movement
Recognizing shapes of body parts of common birds and animals
Use of body parts by birds and animals
Relative sizes of common birds and animals
Behaviour of common birds and other animals (based on observations)
Human sensory organs and external body parts (based on observations)
Classification of Living Organisms
Comparing and recognizing common plants - stem, bark, leaves, fruits, flowers, seeds, shape, growing
above/below soil, eaten raw/cooked, fruiting season
Comparing and recognizing common birds and animals - egg-laying, external body parts (including
hair/skin), footprints, feeding habit, habitat, shape of body/teeth/skull/skeleton, movement, behaviour
Cosmic and Earth Sciences
Earth - rotation causing day/night
Sun - rising/setting, movement across the sky, change in the length and direction of outdoor shadows
Moon - change in the shape during a night/day/week/month, from different places, rising/setting
(observations, no explanations)
Stars - based on common observations
Ecology and Adaptations
Interactions - effect of animals on plants, simple food chain
Adaptations - common animals
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Food and Nutrition
Food as source of energy
Comparison and classification of food items: Raw/cooked, spoilage/shelf life, plant/animal source,
physical properties; recognition of common food items based on taste, shape, colour in original and
common cooked/processed forms; ingredients of common food items; common food
preparation/cooking methods observed at home and their effect on weight, taste, colour
Light and Optics
Recognizing transparent/translucent/opaque materials (terms not to be used)
Matching shadows with objects; dependence of direction, size and shape of shadows on the position of
light source; perception of depth and apparent shape, size of objects based on the location of
viewer/camera
Lateral inversion by plane mirrors
Luminosity of a surface based on the location of the light source
Matter
Comparison, classification and use of common materials based on their common observable properties
(flexibility, elasticity, stretchability, stickiness, hardness, fragility, porosity, viscosity, transparency, thermal
conductivity, wettability, solubility, floatation in water, absorption of water, effect of heat, etc.)
Use of materials in common objects based on their properties
Evaporation and condensation, melting/freezing - observable effects of common materials
Conservation of mass (physical changes, change of container); length of non-straight objects; level of
liquid in containers of different cross sections and in non-uniform cross-section
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Air - occupies available space
Natural Resources and Phenomena
Water - safe drinking water, resusing, recycling; judicious use of resources, ways to minimize waste
generation, ways to minimise air pollution
Observable weather phenomena (no explanations); observable effects of wind, sun, rain
Observable properties of mud, sand, clay, water, stones
Cycle of seasons (period, months)
Plants - Form and Function
Comparison of fruits/vegetables based on shape, size, weight, colour, taste, peel, seeds
Comparing and recognizing common plants - stem, bark, leaves, fruits, flowers, seeds, shape, growing
above/below soil, eaten raw/cooked, fruiting season; recognizing leaves, fruits, flowers of common plants
Scientific Literacy
Comparison of amounts of a substance in different objects or containers
Comparison of size, shape, colour
Interpreting/analyzing pictures; reading common signages
Map reading: moving about with turns; comparing distances
Familiarity with common objects and devices; advantages of specially designed objects/devices
Experiment design: vary the feature being examined, keep all other features same in two set-ups
Experiment design: identify the question that can be answered using the collected/given information
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Grade 5
Key ideas
Animals and Human Body
Human sensory organs and external body parts (based on observations)
Taste, tongue; teeth – types, milk teeth, permanent teeth
Tongue and speech
Hygiene and personal care
Teeth in some common animals; beaks and claws of birds – relationship with food they eat
Feeding habits of common animals
Recognizing common animals based on feeding habits, habitat, body parts, movement
Recognizing shapes of body parts of common birds and animals
Use of body parts by birds and animals
Relative sizes of common birds and animals
Behaviour of common birds, insects and other animals (based on observations)
Honey from flowers; bee hive and basic idea of honey collection
Classification of Living Organisms
Comparing and recognizing common plants - stem, bark, leaves, fruits, flowers, seeds, shape, growing
above/below soil, eaten raw/cooked, fruiting season, usefulness
Comparing and recognizing common birds and animals - egg-laying, external body parts (including
external ears, hair/skin/feathers), footprints, feeding habit, habitat, shape of body/teeth/skull/skeleton,
movement, behaviour, feed milk to young ones
Comparing and classifying organisms based on characteristics given in charts or images/photographs
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Cosmic and Earth Sciences
Earth - rotation causing day/night
Sun - rising/setting, movement across the sky, change in the length and direction of outdoor shadows
Moon - change in the shape during a night/day/week/month, noting the periodicity in lunar phases; new
moon, full moon; observing the shapes from different places, rising/setting (observations, no
explanations)
Stars - based on common observations
Ecology and Adaptations
Diversity in animal habitat and shelters
Some structures like webs have other purposes
Listing of animals with respect to their habitat and shelter
Birds make nests for laying eggs
Nesting habits of different birds vary
Different materials are used for nests
Group behaviour of animals
Interactions - effect of animals on plants, simple food chain/web
Force, Motion and Work
Observation and comparison of the motion of common objects
Effects of wind, surface, slope, etc. on the motion
Light and Optics
Recognizing transparent/translucent/opaque materials (terms not to be used)
Matching shadows with objects; dependence of direction, size and shape of shadows on the position of
light source (including the Sun in the sky for outdoor shadows)
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Perception of depth and apparent shape, size of objects based on the location of viewer/camera
Matter
Comparison, classification and use of common materials based on their common observable properties
(flexibility, elasticity, stretchability, stickiness, hardness, fragility, porosity, viscosity, transparency, thermal
conductivity, wettability, solubility, floatation in water, absorption of water, effect of heat, etc.)
Use of materials in common objects based on their properties
Evaporation and condensation, melting/freezing - observable effects of common materials
Idea of mass/weight; principle of conservation of mass
Displacement of water or other liquids by objects immersed in them
Natural Resources and Phenomena
Water – Natural sources; inland water and sea water; potable water; diarrhoea and other common water
borne diseases, safe handling of water, purification of water
Water as a scarce resource and the struggle for acquiring it (including groundwater)
Rivers and seas; seasonal change in water flow; animals in the sea/river
Water pollution and harmful effects on animals
Waste materials, waste in our houses, urban/rural waste
Judicious use of natural resources (plants, water, etc.)
Observations of evaporation and condensation
Variation of temperature over day/night, and seasons
Cycle of seasons (period, months)
Observable weather phenomena; observable effects of wind, sun, rain
Wind vane
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Plants - Form and Function
Comparison of fruits/vegetables based on shape, size, weight, colour, taste, peel, seeds
Comparing and recognizing common plants - stem, bark, leaves, fruits, flowers, seeds, shape, growing
above/below soil, eaten raw/cooked, fruiting season; recognizing leaves, fruits, flowers of common plants
Seasonal changes in the plants (leaves, flowers, fruits)
Plants need water; roots absorb water and hold it to the ground
Roots eaten normally by people like carrots, radish, sweet potato, etc.
Aerial roots of some plants
Flowering plants; seasons; observation of buds blossoming into flowers; different shapes, colours, petals,
aroma, etc.
Scientific Literacy
Comparison of amounts of a substance in different objects or containers
Comparison of size, shape, colour, weight
Interpreting/analyzing pictures; reading common signages, travel tickets; reading clocks
Map reading: moving about with turns; comparing distances
Familiarity with common objects and devices; advantages of specially designed objects/devices
Experiment design: vary the feature being examined, keep all other features same in two set-ups
Experiment design: identify the question that can be answered using the collected/given information
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Grade 6
Key ideas
Animals and Human Body
Sense organs in human body
Breathing – estimates of breathing rate and rate of heartbeat; chest expansion and contraction while
exhaling and inhaling
Breath – hot and humid; tacit understanding of cooling by blowing and helping a fire to burn
Tasting food; chapati/rice becomes sweeter on chewing; digestion begins in the mouth; glucose is a
sugar
Function of some basic internal organs (stomach, intestine, lungs, heart, blood vessels¸ skeleton, etc.)
Basic idea of heredity – inheritance of certain characteristics from biological parents
Recognizing common animals based on feeding habits, habitat, body parts, skeletons, movement
Recognizing shapes of body parts of common birds and animals
Use of body parts by birds and animals
Relative sizes of common birds and animals
Behaviour of common birds and animals
Sense organs in common animals; Comparison with humans – activities such as eating, sleeping, and
other basic life functions
Response of animals to sound, food, light and other stimuli
Ant or bee colony, social behaviour in insects
Mosquitoes and malaria
Classification of Living Organisms
Comparing and recognizing common plants - stem, bark, leaves, fruits, flowers, seeds, shape, growing
above/below soil, eaten raw/cooked, fruiting season
Comparing and recognizing common birds and animals - egg-laying, external body parts (including
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hair/skin), footprints, feeding habit, habitat, shape of body/teeth/skull/skeleton, movement, behaviour;
mammals (external ear, giving birth to live ones, feeding milk to young ones)
Understanding of ‘animals’ as a group including birds, insects, fish, etc.
Comparing plants and animals based on characteristics shown in charts, tables or images/photographs
Cosmic and Earth Sciences
Earth - rotation causing day/night/sunrise/sunset/moonrise/moonset
Using a globe to understand the rotation of the Earth
Sun - movement across the sky, change in the length and direction of outdoor shadows; sunrise/sunset
from different places; seasonal change in the position of the Sun
Moon - change in the shape during a night/day/week/month, from different places, rising/setting
(observations, no explanations)
Relative positions of the Sun, the Moon and the Earth in space
Solar and lunar eclipses
Night sky - movement of stars due to Earth’s rotation; shooting stars
Ecology and Adaptations
Interdependence among different plants and animals; understanding of food chains, and the impact of
change in the population of an organism on the others; simple food webs
Adaptations in plants and animals
Food and Nutrition
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Basic components of food – energy giving food items; need for water; need for a balanced diet
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Spoilage/wastage of food; shelf life of common food items; basic techniques of food preservation
Plant parts and animal products as sources of food
Force, Motion and Work
Linear motion, including relative motion (based on observations)
Rotational motion – wheels, gears, etc. (based on observations)
Effect of forces (based on observations)
Behaviour of a simple first-class lever (based on observations)
Floating/sinking of objects in water (based on observations)
Heat and Energy
Classification of common materials as thermal conductors and insulators; applications
Heating/cooling of substances (based on observations)
Temperature; thermometer – reading temperature
Change in temperature upon mixing hot and cold substances
Change in states of matter due to change in temperature (based on observations)
Evaporation and condensation (based on observations)
Fuels for heat energy; renewable and non-renewable sources of energy
Light and Optics
Classification of various materials in terms of transparent, translucent and opaque
Formation of shadows (including outdoor ones formed due to sunlight)
Variation in size and shape of shadows
Apparent size of objects changing with distance
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Images seen in plane mirrors (based on observations)
Matter
Mass and volume; measuring mass/weight using a weighing scale
Principle of conservation of mass
Grouping and identifying materials on the basis of common properties - roughness, lustre, transparency,
solubility, sinking/floating, effect of heat, porosity, etc. using prior knowledge, through experiments
Applications of materials based on their specific properties
Basic observations and classification related to floatation and solubility in water
Comparison of floatation in water and salty water
Oil and water are liquids that do not mix
Basic concepts about liquids; litre as unit of measurement of volume
Level of liquid in containers of different cross sections and in non-uniform cross-section
States of matter; properties (based on observations)
Changes in states of matter (evaporation, condensation, melting, freezing and boiling)
Natural Resources and Phenomena
Protection of wildlife; parks, sanctuaries, sacred groves; people’s movements to protect their forests
Animal products used by humans; dependence of human communities on wildlife
Effects of deforestation
Air, water and soil pollution
Fossil fuels and minerals
Reducing waste; reusing/recycling of materials
Movement of water on the Earth; water cycle
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Variation in houses built by humans based on climate, geography, etc.
Earthquakes; what to do during an earthquake
Plants - Form and Function
Familiarity with common fruits and vegetables (plant parts)
Seed germination; conditions for germination; root and shoot axis, baby plant
Storage of food in the seed
Seed dispersal
Water, manure, air for plants; insectivorous plants e.g. pitcher plant, Venus fly trap
Relationship between flowers and fruits; rings in the cross-section of a trunk and the age of the tree
Scientific Literacy
Comparison of common materials in a specific application
Interpreting/analyzing images, diagrams, photographs and maps; reading common signages
Familiarity with common objects and devices; advantages of specially designed objects/devices
Estimation of mass, length, area, volume, time, etc.
Relationship between volume of a liquid in vessels of different cross-sections with the level of the liquid
Familiarity with simple measuring tools/instruments
Experiment design: vary the feature being examined, keep all other features same in two set-ups
Experiment design: understanding of variables that can/cannot affect a scientific investigation
Experiment design: identify the question that can be answered using the collected/given information
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Grade 7
Key ideas
Animals and Human Body
Structure and functions of the animal body
Human skeletal system (including muscles, bone joints), some other animals e.g. fish, bird, cockroach,
snail, etc.
Classification of Living Organisms
Herbivores, carnivores, omnivores
Based on habitats
Based on given characteristics (charts, images, etc.)
Cosmic and Earth Sciences
Earth - rotation causing day/night/sunrise/sunset/moonrise/moonset
Sun - movement across the sky, change in the length and direction of outdoor shadows; seasonal change
in the position of the Sun
Moon - change in the shape during a night/day/week/month, from different places, rising/setting
(observations, no explanations)
Lunar phases (including names)
Revolution of the Moon around the Earth
Solar and lunar eclipses
Stars – movement across the night sky due to Earth’s rotation
Ecology and Adaptations
Living and non-living characteristics
Habitat; biotic, abiotic (light, temperature, water, air, soil, fire, etc.)
Different kinds of habitats (aquatic, deserts, mountains, etc.)
Adaptations in plants and animals according to their habitats (deserts, water, etc.)
Plant part modifications like tendrils, thorns etc.
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Interdependence of plants and animals in an ecosystem; food chains and food webs
Electricity and Magnetism
Conductors and insulators (common materials)
Electric current: Electric circuit (current flows only when a cell and other components are connected in an
unbroken loop)
Current remains the same in a series connection (observed as brightness of bulbs)
Torch: cell, bulb or led, wires, key
Permanent magnets (different shapes) and the poles
A freely suspended magnet always aligns in a particular direction; magnetic compass
Like poles repel and unlike poles attract each other
Food and Nutrition
Plant parts and animal products as sources of food; Germination of seeds
Components of food - carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fibres, water; their sources and
significance for human health; balanced diet; deficiency diseases
Force, Motion and Work
Measurement of length and distance
Motion as change in position with time
Visualizing linear and rotational motion; periodic and non-periodic motion
Force and its effects
Friction and drag
Pressure exerted by a fluid (dependence on depth)
Light and Optics
Classification of various materials in terms of transparent, translucent and opaque
Formation of shadows; a shadow is black irrespective of the colour of the object
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Variation in size and shape of shadows (light source, object, screen arrangement; angle of incidence)
Reflecting surfaces; images are different from shadows
Reflection by plane mirrors (based on observations)
Matter
Mass, volume
Grouping things on the basis of common properties - roughness, lustre, transparency, solubility,
sinking/floating, etc. using prior knowledge, through experiments
Applications of materials based on their specific properties
States of matter; properties
Changes in states of matter (evaporation, condensation, melting, freezing and boiling)
Separation of mixtures - threshing, winnowing, hand picking, sedimentation, filtration, using magnets,
etc.
Changes – reversible and irreversible (burning, expansion/compression, change of state, etc.)
Solubility, saturated solutions
Variation of solubility with temperature
Different types of cloth materials – cotton, wool, silk and synthetics
Development of clothing materials
Natural Resources and Phenomena
Evaporation and condensation, water in different states; water cycle
Importance of water, dependence of the living on water; natural water sources
Droughts and floods
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Common weather phenomena
Different kinds of natural habitats
All organisms needing air to live irrespective of their habitats (land, water, air)
Plant fibre, especially cotton and jute; production of cotton, jute
Types of soil required for the growth of different fibrous plants
Recycling of waste products; things that rot and things that do not
Reusing of materials
Conservation of water and energy resources
Plants - Form and Function
Morphological structure and function of root, stem and leaves
Relationship between type of root and leaf venation
Structure of the flower, differences
Germination of seeds
Scientific Literacy
Comparison of common materials in a specific application
Interpreting/analyzing images, diagrams, photographs and maps; reading common signages
Using scales on maps
Familiarity with common objects and devices; advantages of specially designed objects/devices
Familiarity with common technological devices
Estimation of mass, length, area, volume, time, etc.
Relationship between volume of a liquid in vessels of different shapes with the level of the liquid
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Familiarity with simple measuring tools/instruments
Experiment design: vary the feature being examined, keep all other features same in two set-ups
Experiment design: understanding of variables that can/cannot affect a scientific investigation
Experiment design: identify the question that can be answered using the collected/given information
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Grade 8
Key ideas
Animals and Human Body
Types of nutrition; nutrition in amoeba, fungi and human beings
Digestive system – human, ruminants; types of teeth; link with transport and respiration
Respiration in plants and animals (e.g. birds, insects, worms, frogs), cellular respiration
Respiratory, circulatory and excretory system in animals (including humans); sweating
Growth and development during human adolescence
Cosmic and Earth Sciences
Consequences of the Earth’s rotation on its axis
Change in seasons (including explanation)
Moon - change in the shape during a night/day/week/month, from different places, rising/setting
(observations and explanations)
Relative locations and movements of the Sun, the Moon and the Earth
Solar and lunar eclipses
Solar system
Ecology and Adaptations
Adaptations of plants and animals to climate (including behavioural adaptations and migration)
Interdependence between plants and animals
Food and energy pyramid in an ecosystem
Relationship between types of vegetation and climate
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Relationship between humans and other organisms
Electricity and Magnetism
Permanent magnets (different shapes); attraction-repulsion between poles
Magnetic compass; Earth’s magnetic field
Electric circuit symbols for different elements of circuit
Working of simple electrical circuits with bulbs, electric cells and switches
Conductors and insulators
Heating effect of current; working principle of a fuse
The effect of a current-carrying wire on a magnet
A current-carrying coil behaves like a magnet
Applications of electromagnets; working of an electric bell
Heat and Energy
Heat flow – conduction, convection, radiation
Convection currents (e.g. land and sea breezes)
Radiation (dependence on surface area and colour of surfaces)
Temperature and thermometers
Thermal equilibrium
Thermal conductors and insulators
Thermal expansion
Force, Motion and Work
Measurement of time using periodic events (e.g. simple pendulum)
Idea of speed of moving objects – slow and fast motion along a straight line
Speed, distance; relative/apparent speed
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Visualizing linear and rotational motion; periodic and non-periodic motion
Relationship between rotation of a wheel and distance covered
Motion graphs; distance-time graphs; slope of distance-time graph as speed
Effect of forces on motion (qualitative understanding)
Light and Optics
Rectilinear propagation of light
Formation of shadows
Reflection, certain surfaces reflect light
Characteristics of images formed by plane, convex and concave mirrors (based on observations)
Lateral inversion; real and virtual images
Applications of different kinds of mirrors
White light is composed of many colours.
Matter
Physical and chemical changes
Chemical substances; in a chemical reaction a new substance is formed
Principle of conservation of mass
States of matter – properties; changes in the state of matter
Evaporation, condensation, boiling, freezing of water
Classification of substances into acidic, basic and neutral; chemical indicators
Carbon dioxide test (lime water)
Types of mixtures
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Separation of mixtures (sieving, crystallisation, etc.)
Floating/sinking of objects (observation based); dependence on the density of the liquid
Physical properties of common materials (electrical, thermal, magnetic, optical, mechanical, etc.)
Natural Resources and Phenomena
Climate, soil types, soil profile, absorption of water in soil, suitability for crops, soil erosion
Consequences of high-speed winds and heavy rainfall
Land and sea breezes
Water exists in various forms in nature; water cycle
Scarcity of water and its effect on life; judicious use and conservation of natural sources of water
Sewage; need for drainage/sewer systems that are closed
Change in seasons; variation in sunrise and sunset times
Interdependence of plants and animals in forests
Forests contribute to purification of air and water; forest as a resource for human beings
Plants - Form and Function
Herbs, shrubs, trees
Autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition; parasites, saprophytes
Photosynthesis and respiration
Transport of food and water in plants; transpiration
Reproduction in plants - vegetative, asexual and sexual
Parts of a flower
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Pollination – cross- and self- pollination; pollinators, fertilisation, fruit, seed
Scientific Literacy
Comparison of common materials in a specific application
Interpreting/analyzing images, diagrams, photographs and maps; reading common signages
Using scales on maps
Familiarity with common objects and devices; advantages of specially designed objects/devices
Familiarity with common technological devices
Estimation of mass, length, area, volume, time, etc.
Relationship between volume of a liquid in vessels of different shapes with the level of the liquid
Familiarity with simple laboratory instruments
Familiarity with scales on measuring instruments
Familiarity with common units of physical quantities
Experiment design: vary the feature being examined, keep all other features same in two set-ups
Experiment design: understanding of variables that can/cannot affect a scientific investigation
Experiment design: identify the question that can be answered using the collected/given information
Recording, tabulation and interpretation of experimental observations/data
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Grade 9
Key ideas
Animals and Human Body
Asexual reproduction in animals
Sexual reproduction and endocrine system in animals, secondary sexual characters, reproductive
health; internal and external fertilisation
Metamorphosis in animals
Transport/circulatory system in animals
Nutrition (digestive system) in animals
Respiration in animals; respiratory system in humans
Evolution of life forms; heredity
Cellular Biology and Microorganisms
Cell as fundamental units of life forms
Cell structure, plant and animal cells, use of stain to observe
Cell organelles in plant and animal cells (nucleus, vacuole, chloroplast, cell membrane, cell wall, etc.)
X and Y chromosomes in humans
Microorganisms – useful and harmful
Food preservation; antibiotics; immunity, white blood cells
Cosmic and Earth Sciences
Earth’s rotation and revolution around the Sun
Change in seasons (including explanation)
Moon - change in the shape during a night/day/week/month, from different places, rising/setting
(observations and explanations)
Relative locations and movements of the Sun, the Moon and the Earth
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Solar and lunar eclipses
Solar system; planets and their moons; asteroids; meteors
Constellations; movement of stars in the nigh sky (day/year)
Ecology and Adaptations
Interdependence of organisms in an ecosystem; food webs; energy pyramid; competition for resources
Adaptations in plants and animals
Global warming and its consequences
Electricity and Magnetism
Electric current and circuits
Conduction of current by liquids
Chemical effect of electric current; electrolysis
Basic idea of electroplating
Effect of electric current on magnetic compass
Electromagnets; poles as determined by the direction of the current
Electrostatics; positive and negative charges; attraction and repulsion
Principle of lightning conductor
Heat and Energy
Heat flow – conduction, convection, radiation
Evaporative cooling
Temperature and thermometers
Thermal equilibrium
Combustion, flame; combustion as a chemical reaction
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Burning of a candle
All fuels release heat on burning. Fuels differ in efficiency, cost etc.
Natural resources are limited. Consequences of burning of fuels.
Food and Nutrition
Balanced diet; food nutrients – types, sources, deficiency
Force, Motion and Work
Linear and rotational motion
Idea of force as push or pull; change in speed, direction of moving objects and shape of objects by
applying force; contact and non-contact forces; weight as force (spring balance)
Equilibrium of forces (object at rest or in uniform motion)
Principle of levers
Friction and drag – factors affecting friction; static, sliding and rolling friction; advantages and
disadvantages of friction; increasing and reducing friction
Idea of pressure; pressure exerted by air/liquid; atmospheric pressure; measuring fluid pressure
(barometer, manometer)
Light and Optics
Regular and diffused reflection
Reflection of light from an object to the eye
Structure of the eye; alternative technology for visually challenged; role of nutrition in relation to
blindness
Laws of reflection
Characteristics of image formed with a plane mirror; multiple reflections (periscope)
Characteristics of image formed by concave and convex mirrors/lenses
Dispersion of light
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Matter
Synthetic materials (plastics, petroleum products, etc.); synthetic fibres
Physical properties of common materials (action of water, reaction on heating, effect of flame, electrical
conductivity, thermal conductivity, tensile strength, etc.)
Changes in the states of matter
Floating/sinking (based on observations)
Solubility – effect of temperature; saturated solution
Metals and non-metals – observations relating to physical properties of metals and non-metals;
acidic/basic oxides
Displacement reactions, experiments involving reactions with acids and bases
Combustion as an exothermic chemical reaction
Word equations
Natural Resources and Phenomena
Conservation of biodiversity; zoos, sanctuaries, forest reserves etc.; endangered species, red data book;
endemic species, migration
Consequences of deforestation: scarcity of products for humans and other living beings, change in
physical properties of soil, reduced rainfall
Conservation of forests; reforestation
Formation of coal and petroleum in nature (fossil fuels)
Consequences of over extraction of coal and petroleum (mining of minerals)
Conservation of electrical energy; judicious use of natural resources
Air pollution and its consequences; greenhouse effect and its onsequences
Natural sources of water; water cycle
Biological and chemical contamination of water; effect of impure water on soil and living beings
Effect of soil containing excess of fertilisers and insecticides on water resources; potable water
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Causes of earthquakes; phenomena related to earthquakes
Plants - Form and Function
Transpiration, photosynthesis, respiration in plants
Reproduction in plants (asexual and sexual)
Crop production: Soil preparation, selection of seeds, sowing, applying fertilizers, irrigation, weeding,
harvesting and storage
Nitrogen fixation, nitrogen cycle
Scientific Literacy
Comparison of common materials in a specific application
Interpreting/analyzing images, diagrams, photographs and maps; reading common signages
Using scales on maps
Familiarity with common objects and devices; advantages of specially designed objects/devices
Familiarity with common technological devices
Estimation of mass, length, area, volume, time, etc.
Relationship between volume of a liquid in vessels of different shapes with the level of the liquid
Familiarity with simple laboratory instruments
Familiarity with scales on measuring instruments (including non-linear ones)
Familiarity with units of physical quantities
Experiment design: vary the feature being examined, keep all other features same in two set-ups
Experiment design: understanding of variables that can/cannot affect a scientific investigation
Experiment design: identify the question that can be answered using the collected/given information
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Recording, tabulation and interpretation of experimental observations/data
Interpretation of data/information from different kinds of graphical representations (including rate of
change)
Waves and Sound
Various types of sound; sources of sound
Vibration as a cause of sound; amplitude, frequency of a sound wave; graphical representations
Dependence of natural pitch on the size of the vibrating object
Medium for propagation of sound; speed of sound (in still and moving medium)
Idea of noise as unpleasant and unwanted sound and need to minimise noise
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Grade 10
Key ideas
Animals and Human Body
Human organ systems – respiratory, circulatory, digestive, excretory, reproductive; and related life
processes
Tissues, organs, organ systems, organism
Structure and functions of animal and plant tissues (four types in animals; meristematic and permanent
tissues in plants)
Disease and its causes; diseases caused by microbes and their prevention – typhoid, diarrhoea,
malaria, hepatitis, rabies, AIDS, TB, polio, etc.; vaccines, antibiotics
Structure of the eye; vision defects including colour blindness
Cellular Biology and Microorganisms
Cell as a basic unit of life; plant and animal cells
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, multicellular organisms
Cell membrane and cell wall, cell organelles: chloroplast, mitochondria, vacuoles, ER, Golgi apparatus;
nucleus, chromosomes – basic structure, number
Diffusion/exchange of substances between cells and their environment, and between the cells
themselves in the living system; role in nutrition, water and food transport, excretion, gaseous
exchange
Food preservation (inhibition of the growth of microorganisms)
Classification of Living Organisms
Scientific naming of organisms; basis of classification; hierarchy of categories/groups
Major groups of plants (salient features) (Bacteria, Thallophyta, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Gymnosperms
and Angiosperms)
Major groups of animals (salient features) (Nonchordates up to phyla and Chordates up to classes)
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Evolution of life forms; heredity
Cosmic and Earth Sciences
Earth’s rotation and revolution around the Sun
Change in seasons (including explanation)
Moon - change in the shape during a night/day/week/month, from different places, rising/setting
(observations and explanations)
Relative locations and movements of the Sun, the Moon and the Earth
Solar and lunar eclipses
Solar system; planets and their moons; asteroids; meteors
Constellations; movement of stars in the night sky (day/year)
Ecology and Adaptations
Interdependence of organisms in an ecosystem; food webs; energy pyramid; competition for resources
Diversity of living forms in an ecosystem
Adaptations in plants and animals
Forests as resources
Protection and sustainable use of forests
Sustainable agricultural practices
Electricity and Magnetism
Two kinds of charges; electrostatic forces
Electric current and simple circuits
Heating, chemical and magnetic effects of electric current
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Permanent and electro- magnets
Household circuits; household electrical devices; safety devices (fuse, switches, etc.)
Heat and Energy
Temperature and thermometers; thermal equilibrium
Heat transfer – conduction, convection, radiation
Evaporative cooling; dependence of rate of radiation on surface area and colour of the surface
Changes in the state of matter – latent heat
Work done by a force, energy, power
Kinetic and potential energy
Law of conservation of energy
Force, Motion and Work
Motion – displacement, velocity; uniform and non-uniform motion along a straight line, acceleration
Distance-time and velocity time graphs for uniform motion, uniformly accelerated motion, motion with
non-uniform acceleration
Speed as slope of distance-time graphs, acceleration as slope of velocity-time graphs
Equations of motion by graphical method
Elementary idea of uniform circular motion; centripetal force
Force and motion, Newton’s laws of motion: inertia of a body, inertia and mass, momentum, force and
acceleration
Elementary idea of conservation of momentum, action and reaction forces
Equilibrium of forces (object at rest or in uniform motion); principle of levers
Gravitation; universal law of gravitation
Force of gravitation of the earth (gravity), acceleration due to gravity; mass and weight; free fall
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Thrust and pressure
Archimedes’ principle, buoyancy; elementary idea of relative density
Friction and drag – factors affecting friction; static, sliding and rolling friction
Light and Optics
Laws of reflection
Characteristics of image formed with a plane mirror; multiple reflections
Characteristics of image formed by concave and convex mirrors/lenses
Matter
States of matter – characteristics (shape, volume, density)
Changes in the states of matter (melting, freezing, evaporation, condensation, sublimation)
Elements, compounds and mixtures
Heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures; saturated solutions
Colloids and suspensions
Diffusion and osmosis
Chemical equivalence (titration/quantitative experiments)
Particle nature, basic units: atoms and molecules
Law of constant proportions
Atomic and molecular masses
Subatomic particles – electrons, protons, and neutrons; isotopes and isobars
Rutherford’s gold-foil experiment
Mole concept; relationship of mole to mass of the particles and numbers
Valency; chemical formulae of common compounds
Natural Resources and Phenomena
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Physical resources: air, water, soil
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Air for respiration, for combustion, for moderating temperatures, movements of air and its role in
bringing rains
Air, water and soil pollution (brief introduction)
Holes in ozone layer and the probable damages
Bio-geo chemical cycles in nature: water, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen
Sustainable agriculture (use of manure, intercropping, organic farming, etc.)
Types of soil and their constituents
Effect of air currents/winds on weather phenomena
Greenhouse effect of atmosphere
Consequences of increase in greenhouse effect; global warming
Plants - Form and Function
Transpiration, photosynthesis (role of chlorophyll), respiration in plants
Reproduction in plants (asexual and sexual); role in agriculture
Scientific Literacy
Comparison of common materials in a specific application
Interpreting/analyzing images, diagrams, photographs and maps; reading common signages
Using scales on maps
Familiarity with common objects and devices; advantages of specially designed objects/devices
Familiarity with common technological devices
Estimation of mass, length, area, volume, time, etc.
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Relationship between volume of a liquid in vessels of different shapes with the level of the liquid
Familiarity with simple laboratory instruments
Familiarity with scales on measuring instruments (including non-linear ones)
Familiarity with units of physical quantities
Experiment design: vary the feature being examined, keep all other features same in two set-ups
Experiment design: understanding of variables that can/cannot affect a scientific investigation
Experiment design: identify the question that can be answered using the collected/given information
Recording, tabulation and interpretation of experimental observations/data
Interpretation of data/information from different kinds of graphical representations (including rate of
change)
Waves and Sound
Nature of sound and its propagation in various media
Vibration as a cause of sound; amplitude, wavelength and frequency of a sound wave; graphical
representations
Speed of sound
Range of hearing in humans; ultrasound
Reflection of sound; echo and sonar
Structure of the human ear (auditory aspect only)
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