TLSF701

CAPS Life Sciences Time Allocation

UNIT 1 PART 2
CAPS document - Life Sciences
Duration in FET phase – GR10-12

1) The duration of the National Senior Certificate is 3 years, namely Grades 10, 11 and 12.

2) A learner must:
(a) offer all subjects selected for all three grades, Grades 10-12 and complete the
programme requirements for these grades separately; and

(b) comply with the School-Based Assessment (SBA) requirements for Grades 10, 11 and 12
and the external assessment requirements of Grade 12 as stipulated in the policy document
National Protocol for Assessment Grades R–12, and the Curriculum and Assessment Policy
Statements of the various subjects listed in Annexure B.
Instructional Time GR10-12 CAPS pg7
Duration in FET – GR10-12 CONTD.

• The duration for Life Sciences teaching on the school time table in a week is 4 hours according to the
National policy pertaining to the programme and promotion requirements of the National Curriculum
Statement Grades R – 12. This Policy can be found on the following website:
https://www.education.gov.za/Portals/0/Documents/Policies/PolicyProgPromReqNCS.pdf?ver=2015-0

• Thus as a Life Sciences teacher, you should plan your weekly lessons around these 4 hours.

• Besides, your theory lessons, include practical, experiments, demonstrations, investigations etc
based on the topics that you will be teaching during a particular week.
Time Allocation CAPS pg19
Specific Aims – Life Sciences CAPS Doc pg13
• It is vital to include Specific Aims when planning and presenting your lessons.

• Scope of Life Sciences topics is wide and you need to develop time management
skills and effective teaching strategies to cover the syllabus without being
overwhelmed.

• Teachers can prepare adequately in terms obtaining resources, collaborating with

colleagues ahead of time, if necessary and, ensuring that the curriculum is
covered.
Knowledge
Strands
GR10-12
pg10
GR 10 Knowledge Strands CAPS Doc pg11
GR10 Time Allocation for Term 1 CAPS Doc pg22-27

CENTRAL TOPICS HOURS WEEKS

STRAND 1 – LIFE AT THE MOLECULAR, CELLULAR AND TISSUE LEVEL

ORIENTATION TO LIFE SCIENCES 2 ½

THE CHEMISTRY OF LIFE 10 2½

CELLS THE BASIC UNIT OF LIFE 12 3

CELL DIVISION MITOSIS 8 2

PLANTS AND ANIMAL TISSUE 4 1

TOTAL FOR TERM 1 36 HOURS 9 WEEKS

GR10 Time Allocation for Term 2 CAPS Doc pg28-31

CENTRAL TOPICS HOURS WEEKS

STRAND 1 – LIFE AT THE MOLECULAR, CELLULAR AND TISSUE LEVEL CONTD.

STRAND 2 – LIFE PROCESSES IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS

PLANTS AND ANIMALS TISSUE 8 2

CONTD.

ORGANS 2 ½

SUPPORT AND TRANSPORT 12 3

SYSTEMS IN PLANTS

SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN 12 3
ANIMALS

TOTAL FOR TERM 2 34 HOURS 8 ½ WEEKS

GR10 Time Allocation for Term 3 CAPS DOC pg32-34

CENTRAL TOPICS HOURS WEEKS

STRAND 2 – LIFE PROCESSES IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS CONTD.

STRAND 3 – ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

TRANSPORT SYSTEMS IN 12 3
MAMMALS (HUMANS)

BIOSPHERE TO ECOSYSTEMS 24 6

TOTAL FOR TERM 3 36 HOURS 9 WEEKS

GR10 Time Allocation for Term 4 CAPS DOC pg35-38

CENTRAL TOPICS HOURS WEEKS

STRAND 4 – DIVERSITY, CHANGE AND CONTINUNITY

BIODIVERSITY AND 4 1
CLASSIFICATION

HISTORY OF LIFE ON EARTH 20 5

TOTAL FOR TERM 4 24 HOURS 6 WEEKS

TOTAL FOR YEAR 130 HOURS 32 ½ / 40 WEEKS

GR 11 Knowledge Strands CAPS Doc pg11
GR 12 Knowledge Strands CAPS Doc pg12
References

Bowie, M., Johannes, A., Mhlongo, E., and Pretorius, C.E. 2018. Via Africa Life Sciences
Grade 10 Learner’s Book. Cape Town: Via Africa.

Department of Basic Education. 2011. Curriculum and Policy Statement FET 10-12: Life
Sciences. Pretoria: Department of Basic Education. (Available online)