NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR

CURRICULUM & ASSESSMENT

(MINISTRY OF EDUCATION)

SCIENCE
COMMON CORE PROGRAMME (CCP)
CURRICULUM FOR JHS1 (B7) - JHS3 (B9)

SEPTEMBER, 2020

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
REPUBLIC OF GHANA
 Science Curriculum for B7- B9 (JHS 1 – JHS 3)

Enquiries and comments on this Curriculum should be addressed to:

The Director-General
National Council for Curriculum and
Assessment (NaCCA)Ministry of
Education
P. O. Box CT PMB 77Cantonments Accra
Telephone: 0302909071, 0302909862

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.nacca.gov.gh

©2020 National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA).

This publication is not for sale. All rights reserved. No part of thispublication
may be reproduced without prior written permission from the Ministry of
Education, Ghana.
Ministry of Education

© NaCCA, Ministry of Education 2021 ii

FOREWORD
The Ministry of Education, acting through the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) has, in recent times, been working on
curriculum and assessment reforms to improve the quality and relevance of learning experiences in pre-tertiary schools in Ghana. This curriculum,
known as the Common Core Programme (CCP), is a sequel to the Kindergarten-Primary standards-based school curriculum, the implementation of
which commenced with the 2019/2020 academic year. The CCP is carefully designed for learners in JHS 1 – JHS 3 as part of a holistic learning
experience that prepares them for post-secondary education, the world of work or both. The curriculum focuses on building character and nurturing
values, in addition to ensuring a seamless progression for all learners from JHS to SHS and creates clear pathways for academic and career-related
programmes from JHS 1 – JHS 3

In the twenty-first century, memorisation of facts and figures is no longer a sufficient learner attribute. Therefore, the CCP focuses on the acquisition
of the 4Rs (Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic and cReativity) and core competencies to afford learners the ability to apply knowledge innovatively to solve
every- day problems. Personal projects, community projects and community service have been integrated into the CCP as part of a comprehensive
assessment programme, including assessment of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that mainly emphasise what learners can do. It is hoped that
the content of this curriculum will promote better high school education that meets the varied learning needs of the young people in the country and
addresses the shortfalls in the current school curriculum in relation to learning and assessment.

The Ministry of Education is committed to ensuring that our schools develop globally competitive high school graduates who have the requisite
employable skills and workplace ethos. The CCP curriculum will, therefore, play an important role in this regard. The Ministry will support the effective
implementation of the CCP to include capacity development of all teachers to ensure improved learning experiences and outcomes for our young
people.

Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (MP)

The Honourable Minister of Education

© NaCCA, Ministry of Education 2021 iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This Common Core Programme (CCP) curriculum was developed together with the National Pre-tertiary Learning Assessment Framework (NPLAF)
and Teacher’s and Learner’s Resource Packs. All these documents were developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
(NaCCA), under the oversight and strategic direction of the Ministry of Education (MoE) with support from some agencies of the MoE and other
relevant stakeholders.

NaCCA, acting on behalf of the Ministry of Education (MoE), would like to express its sincere gratitude to all its partners who participated in the
professional conversations and discussions during the course of the development of the CCP curriculum.

NaCCA also extends special commendations to the leadership of the Ghana Education Service (GES), National School Inspectorate Authority
(NaSIA), National Teaching Council (NTC), Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Commission for TVET) and other
agencies of the MoE.

Additionally, NaCCA acknowledges the contributions of staff from various Universities and Colleges of Education as well as teachers and learners
within the Ghana Education Service.

Special thanks go to those who also contributed to shaping this curriculum content through the consultation process, including the national
stakeholder engagement conducted in Accra in February, 2020.

© NaCCA, Ministry of Education 2021 iv

CONTENTS

FOREWORD ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... iv

INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... x

RATIONALE .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. xiii

PHILOSOPHY............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ xiv

GOAL AND AIMS ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... xv

PROCESS SKILLS ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... xix

ASSESSMENT .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. xx

CREATIVE PEDAGOGICAL APPROACHES................................................................................................................................................................................................................... xxvi

CORE COMPETENCIES........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ xxx

INSTRUCTIONAL EXPECTATIONS ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... xxxii

ORGANISATION AND STRUCTURE OF THE CURRICULUM ............................................................................................................................................................................ xxxiii

SCIENCE SCOPE AND SEQUENCE .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. xxxvi

BASIC 7 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
© NaCCA, Ministry of Education 2021 v
 STRAND 1: DIVERSITY OF MATTER ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2
SUB-STRAND 1: MATERIALS ................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
SUB-STRAND 2: LIVING CELLS.............................................................................................................................................................................. 5

STRAND 2: CYCLES ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

SUB-STRAND 1: EARTH SCIENCE....................................................................................................................................................................... 7
SUB-STRAND 2: LIFE CYCLE OF ORGANISMS ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
SUB-STRAND 3: CROP PRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 11
SUB-STRAND 4:ANIMAL PRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................. 12

STRAND 3: SYSTEMS.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 16
SUB-STRAND 1:THE HUMAN BODY SYSTEM ................................................................................................................................................... 16
SUB-STRAND 2:THE SOLAR SYSTEM ............................................................................................................................................................... 19
SUB-STRAND 3: ECOSYSTEM............................................................................................................................................................................ 21
SUB-STRAND 4: FARMING SYSTEMS................................................................................................................................................................ 23

STRAND 4: FORCES AND ENERGY......................................................................................................................................................................... 26

SUB-STRAND 1: ENERGY ................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
SUB-STRAND 2: ELECTRICITY AND ELECTRONICS ......................................................................................................................................... 30
SUB-STRAND 3: CONVERSION AND CONSERVATION OF ENERGY ................................................................................................................ 33
SUB-STRAND 4: FORCE AND MOTION............................................................................................................................................................... 35
SUB-STRAND 5:AGRICULTURAL TOOLS........................................................................................................................................................... 41

STRAND 5: HUMANS AND THE ENVIRONMENT................................................................................................................................................ 44

SUB-STRAND 1:WASTE MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................................................................ 44
SUB-STRAND 2: HUMAN HEALTH ...................................................................................................................................................................... 45
SUB-STRAND 3: SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY ....................................................................................................................................................... 47
SUB-STRAND 4: CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREEN ECONOMY.......................................................................................................................... 48
© NaCCA, Ministry of Education 2021 vi
 SUB-STRAND 5: UNDERSTANDING THE ENVIRONMENT................................................................................................................................. 49

BASIC 8 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 51

STRAND 1: DIVERSITY OF MATTER ....................................................................................................................................................................... 52

SUB-STRAND 1: MATERIALS .............................................................................................................................................................................. 52
SUB-STRAND 2: LIVING CELLS............................................................................................................................................................................ 56

STRAND 2: CYCLES .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 57

SUB-STRAND 1: EARTH SCIENCE ..................................................................................................................................................................... 57
SUB-STRAND 2: LIFE CYCLE OF ORGANISMS ................................................................................................................................................... 59
SUB-STRAND 3: CROP PRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 60
SUB-STRAND 4:ANIMAL PRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................. 62

STRAND 3: SYSTEMS.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 64
SUB-STRAND 1:THE HUMAN BODY SYSTEM ................................................................................................................................................... 64
SUB-STRAND 2:THE SOLAR SYSTEM ............................................................................................................................................................... 66
SUB-STRAND 3: ECOSYSTEM ............................................................................................................................................................................ 67
SUB-STRAND 4: FARMING SYSTEMS................................................................................................................................................................ 68

STRAND 4: FORCES AND ENERGY......................................................................................................................................................................... 69

SUB-STRAND 1: ENERGY ................................................................................................................................................................................... 69
SUB-STRAND 2: ELECTRICITY AND ELECTRONICS ......................................................................................................................................... 72
SUB-STRAND 3: CONVERSION AND CONSERVATION OF ENERGY ................................................................................................................ 73
SUB-STRAND 4: FORCE AND MOTION............................................................................................................................................................... 74
SUB-STRAND 5:AGRICULTURAL TOOLS........................................................................................................................................................... 76

STRAND 5: HUMANS AND THE ENVIRONMENT................................................................................................................................................ 77

SUB-STRAND 1:WASTE MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................................................................ 77
© NaCCA, Ministry of Education 2021 vii
 SUB-STRAND 2: HUMAN HEALTH ...................................................................................................................................................................... 78
SUB-STRAND 3: SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY ....................................................................................................................................................... 81
SUB-STRAND 4: CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREEN ECONOMY.......................................................................................................................... 82
SUB-STRAND 5: UNDERSTANDING THE ENVIRONMENT................................................................................................................................. 84

BASIC 9 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 86

STRAND 1: DIVERSITY OF MATTER ....................................................................................................................................................................... 87

SUB-STRAND 1: MATERIALS .............................................................................................................................................................................. 87
SUB-STRAND 2: LIVING CELLS ......................................................................................................................................................................... 90

STRAND 2: CYCLES .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 92

SUB-STRAND 1: EARTH SCIENCES ................................................................................................................................................................... 92
SUB-STRAND 2: LIFE CYCLE OF ORGANISMS ................................................................................................................................................... 94
SUB-STRAND 3: CROP PRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 96
SUB-STRAND 4:ANIMAL PRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................. 99

STRAND 3: SYSTEMS................................................................................................................................................................................................ 102

SUB-STRAND 1:THE HUMAN BODY SYSTEM ................................................................................................................................................. 102
SUB-STRAND 2:THE SOLAR SYSTEM ............................................................................................................................................................. 103
SUB-STRAND 3: ECOSYSTEM .......................................................................................................................................................................... 104
SUB-STRAND 4: FARMING SYSTEMS.............................................................................................................................................................. 105

STRAND 4: FORCES AND ENERGY....................................................................................................................................................................... 107

SUB-STRAND 1: ENERGY ................................................................................................................................................................................. 107
SUB-STRAND 2: ELECTRICITY AND ELECTRONICS ....................................................................................................................................... 109
SUB-STRAND 3: CONVERSION AND CONSERVATION OF ENERGY .............................................................................................................. 110
SUB-STRAND 4: FORCE AND MOTION............................................................................................................................................................. 111

© NaCCA, Ministry of Education 2021 viii