Grades 8 and 9 Mathematics Syllabus - ZEPH Ready - Jan2014
Grades 8 and 9 Mathematics Syllabus - ZEPH Ready - Jan2014
Grades 8 and 9 Mathematics Syllabus - ZEPH Ready - Jan2014
Mathematics Syllabus
(Grades 8 and 9)
Quality, lifelong education for all which is accessible, inclusive and relevant to individual, national and global needs and value systems.
COPYRIGHT............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ i
VISION..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ii
PREFACE................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... v
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... vi
Rationale.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. vi
Suggested Teaching Methodology...................................................................................................................................................................................................... vii
Assessment.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... vii
Time and period allocation................................................................................................................................................................................................................. viii
General Outcomes.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. viii
GRADE 8................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
GRADE 9............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
APPENDIX 1: GRADE 8 AND 9 SEQUENCE..................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
The syllabus was produced as a result of the Curriculum review process carried out by the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and
Early Education under the auspices of the Curriculum Development Centre (CDC). The curriculum reform process started way back in 1999 when the
Ministry of Education commissioned five (5) curriculum studies which were conducted by the University of Zambia. These studies were followed by a
review of the lower and middle basic and primary teacher education curriculum. In 2005 the upper basic education National survey was conducted and
information from learners, parents, teachers, school managers, educational administrators, tertiary institutions traditional leaders civic leaders and
various stakeholders in education was collected to help design a relevant curriculum ,.
The recommendations provided by various stakeholders during the Upper Basic Education National survey of 2005 and National symposium on
curriculum held in June 2009 guided the review process.
The review was necessitated by the need to provide an education system that would not only incorporate latest social, economic, technological and
political developments but also equip learners with vital knowledge, skills and values that are necessary to contribute to the attainment of Vision 2030.
The syllabus has been reviewed in line with the Outcome Based Education principles which seek to link education to real life experiences that give
learners skills to access, criticize analyze and practically apply knowledge that help them gain life skills. Its competences and general outcomes are the
expected outcomes to be attained by the learners through the acquisition of knowledge, skills, techniques and values which are very important for the
total development of the individual and the nation as a whole.
Effective implementation of Outcome Based Education requires that the following principles be observed: clarity of focus, Reflective designing,
setting high expectations for all learners and appropriate opportunities.
It is my sincere hope that this Outcome Based syllabus will greatly improve the quality of education provided at Grade 8 and 9 levels as defined and
recommended in various policy documents including Educating Our Future`1996 and the `Zambia Education Curriculum Framework `2013.
The Curriculum Development Centre worked closely with other sister departments and institutions to create this document. We sincerely thank the
Directorate of Teacher Education and Specialized Services, the Directorate of Planning and Information, the Directorate of Human Resource and
Administration, the Directorate of Open and Distance Education ,the Examinations Council of Zambia, the University of Zambia, schools and other
institutions too numerous to mention, for their steadfast support.
We pay special tribute to co-operating partners especially JICA in conjunction with Hiroshima University and UNICEF for rendering financial and
technical support in the production of the syllabus.
The following are the underlying principles for the revised Junior Secondary school mathematics syllabus:
Equity
Orderly and logical progression
Varied teaching methodology with subjective learning as the keystone
Integration of knowledge, skills and values
These syllabus guidelines have been defined at two levels namely the content and process domains. The content domain is defined according to six
themes namely; Numbers & Calculations, Algebra, Geometry, Measures, Probability & Statistics and Relations. The process domain on the other
hand is defined according to three categories of knowledge, skills and values. These two domains constitute the general outcomes of the Mathematics
course.
Rationale
Mathematics is an important subject on the Zambian School curriculum. It is featured as one of the core subjects in all the options for both the
academic as well as the practical career pathways.
Mathematics enhances the learners’ understanding of the world around and prepares them for further education. It also plays a key role as a tool for
learning other subjects and learning areas. The subject fosters the development and improvement of learners’ intellectual competence in logical
reasoning, spatial visualization, analysis and abstract thought. When learners have acquired enough knowledge in mathematics they develop reasoning,
thinking and problem solving skills. Mathematics is also important in science and technology subjects which are vital for the development of the
country. It therefore equips the learner to live in the age of Science and technology and enable them contribute to social, economic development of the
country.
The mathematical concepts and principles presented in this syllabus aim to encourage learners to think logically and critically and make connections
between topics and with other subjects. To achieve this, teachers should put emphasis on teaching the subject in a manner where learners communicate
their mathematical ideas as well as misconceptions. This approach will enhance learners’ understanding and appreciation of mathematical concepts and
ideas as they construct their own knowledge. Teachers will also need to refocus their teaching approaches and continuously sharpen their pedagogical
skills in line with contemporary approaches in the teaching of the subject.
Further, since Mathematics is a discipline with hierarchical concepts and skills, teachers should present it in a systematic manner. In the design of the
syllabus, effort has been made to sequence the topics across the entire course of study. Successfully interpretation and implementation of this syllabus
however requires flexibility on the part of teachers in order for them to arrange the content in an easy to understand progression so as to improve
mathematics education in the country.
Assessment
Assessment is an important diagnostic tool in the teaching and learning process used to determine whether teaching and learning have taken place or
not. It requires well defined rubrics to facilitate a fair and consistent assessment of learner’s work as well as clearly defined performance targets at key
stages and during the process of teaching and learning.
Classroom based continuous assessment must form an integral part of the implementation of this syllabus. This is in view of the value that this adds to
the modification of instruction delivery thereby contributing to best practices by the teacher. In order to attain this, teachers are urged to employ
various techniques of assessment according to the topics and themes at various levels. These methods may include learner observation, projects, tests,
portfolios and projects among others.
For terminal assessment, the Examinations Council will provide guidelines on the objectives to be assessed in at specific levels both for selection and
certification.
General Outcomes
1. To foster the development and improvement of learners’ intellectual competence in logical reasoning, spatial visualization, analysis and abstract
thought.
2. To equip the learner to live in the age of science and technology and enable them contribute to social, economic development of the country.
standard form.
8.3.2.2 Approximate numbers in scientific notation
to given degree of accuracy
8.3.3.2 Apply the concept of approximation in real
life
MENSURATION 8.10.1.2 Find the total surface area of cylinder and 9.9.1.1 Describe properties of interior & exterior
triangular prism angles of regular polygons
8.10.2.1 Calculate the volume of cylinder and 9.9.1.2 Calculate Interior and exterior angles of
triangular prism regular polygons.
8.10.3.1 Describe density 9.9.2.1 Describe irregular polygons
8.10.3.2 Calculate density of regular objects
PYTHAGORAS’ THEOREM 9.4.1.1 Identify sides in the Right angled triangle
9.4.1.2 State the Pythagoras’ theorem
9.4.2.1 Solve real life problems involving
Pythagoras’ theorem
DIRECTIONS AND BEARINGS 9.5.1.1 Identify the cardinal points on the compass
Geometry
8.15.2.1 Construct flow charts 9.13.2.1 Identify and create loops in flow charts
9.13.3.1 Write simple computer programmes
9.13.3.2 Use simple programmes to calculate area,
volume, find averages and resolve linear
equation