Chemistry Syllabus Forms 1-2
Chemistry Syllabus Forms 1-2
Syllabus for
Chemistry
Forms 1 and 2
Chemistry
Forms 1 and 2
Email: [email protected]
MoEST and MIE would also like to thank Frazer Kumwenda, Patrick Luntha and
Esther Nthumbu who helped in the refining of the syllabus. Finally, thanks should
also go to Pius Ng’omang’oma, Andrew Mkwezalamba,Daniel Chilembo, Russel
Chidya, Jacob Nyasulu, Dr Wilfred Kadewa and Dr Dorothy Lakudzala for providing
expert advice on the syllabus during its development.
Production team
Page
Acknowledgements .. ............................................................................................
............ iii
Foreword .....................................................................................................................
........ v
The secondary school curriculum in Malawi
................................................................. vii
Developmental outcomes .....
........................................................................................... viii
Rationale for
chemistry......................................................................................................
xi
Scope and sequence chart for Forms 1 to
4 .................................................................... 1
Teaching syllabus for Forms 1 and 2
............................................................................. 12
References ...... ......................................................................................................
............... 45
Foreword
Education is the vehicle through which every citizen can realise his or her
potential and contribute to national development. The vision of the education
sector in Malawi is to be a catalyst for socio-economic development, industrial
growth and an instrument for empowering the poor, the weak and the voiceless. Its
mission is to provide quality and relevant education to Malawians. As a catalyst for
the development, education should equip the individual with knowledge, skills,
values and attitudes to enable one to perform one’s roles effectively, in an attempt
to promote and sustain the social-economic development of a nation.
The rationale for reviewing the secondary school curriculum is contained in the
NESP (2008-2017), and PIF (2000). The documents clearly state that the purpose
of secondary education is to provide students with the academic basis for gainful
employment in formal, private and public sectors. They further state that
secondary education will prepare students for further education according to their
abilities and aptitudes. However, it is important to note that for the majority of the
children in Malawi, secondary education is terminal. Consequently, the curriculum
has put emphasis on practical skills that enable them to achieve self-employment.
v
staff of the Department of Inspectorate and Advisory Services (DIAS) in the
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), for facilitating the
development of the syllabuses in collaboration with the Director and staff of the
Malawi Institute of Education (MIE). I would also like to extend my gratitude to
university colleges (both public and private), teachers from secondary schools
(both public and private), members of different religious groups and officers
representing special interest groups such as the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA),
Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM), Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS), Anti-
Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Malawi Blood Transfusion Services (MBTS) for their
valuable contribution to and participation in the preparation of these syllabuses.
Most of all, I would like to express my hope that teachers will implement this
curriculum diligently and in the best interest of the students so that the goals for
reviewing the curriculum are achieved.
Dr McPhail Magwira
Secretary for Education Science and Technology (SEST)
vi
The secondary school curriculum in Malawi
Among other reasons, the secondary school curriculum has been reviewed to align
it with the primary school curriculum. This curriculum puts emphasis on student-
centred teaching and learning approaches, including continuous assessment.
The figure below illustrates the structure and major elements of Malawi’s
secondary school curriculum, which are elaborated in the text below.
TEACHING LEARNING
Developmental outcomes
Secondary education
outcomes
Assessment
standards
Success
criteria
ASSESSMEN
T
The developmental structure of the secondary school curriculum in Malawi
Developmental outcomes
The developmental outcomes are over-arching; they are what the student is
expected to achieve by the end of the secondary school cycle both in and out of
school. These outcomes apply to subject areas and they have been derived from
vii
the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, Malawi Growth and Development
Strategy (MGDS), National Education Sector Plan (NESP), Education Act and other
education policy documents, including global policies and multilateral agreements
to which Malawi is a signatory, as well as from the Secondary School Curriculum
and Assessment Review (SSCAR). That is, students should be able to:
Citizenship skills
1 demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the symbols of nationhood
2 demonstrate a spirit of patriotism and national unity
3 apply decision-making skills necessary for participation in civic affairs
4 demonstrate a spirit of leadership and service
viii
5 show respect for one’s own and other people’s rights and responsibilities
6 tolerate other people’s attitudes and beliefs
7 demonstrate respect for the rule of law
8 understand characteristics of good governance
9 initiate and implement community development projects
10 demonstrate a sense of good neighbourliness
11 demonstrate a sense of national, regional and international understanding
12 demonstrate cooperative behaviour
13 demonstrate personal and social responsibility
ix
41 demonstrate effective communication skills for the transfer of occupational and
entrepreneurial knowledge, skills, attitudes and values
42 apply the principles of science and technology, entrepreneurship and
management to promote active and productive participation in the society
43 demonstrate creativity and innovation for the benefit of the individual,
community and the nation as a whole
44 demonstrate an understanding of indigenous and non-indigenous knowledge,
skills, attitudes and values, and apply them to personal intellectual growth and
national development
45 use vocational, occupational and entrepreneurial skills for the creation of
economic opportunities in agriculture and other sectors
Practical skills
46 acquire entrepreneurial skills related to agriculture, commerce and industry
47 apply appropriate skills to agricultural, commercial and industrial production
48 demonstrate positive attitudes to manual work
49 demonstrate excellence in any kind of workmanship
50 demonstrate sporting ability and sportsmanship
51 demonstrate the ability to use creative and innovative artistic talents for self-
employment
Through the investigative approach, chemistry equips students with essential skills
for effective communication of scientific information, problem-solving and pursuit
of further education.
x
Chemistry provides students with awareness and understanding of environmental
and natural resource management that leads to safe and efficient management of
local resources for sustainable national development.
Inorganic compounds
The students will be able to appreciate properties of various inorganic
substances, their uses in the manufacturing industry and the dangers they
pose on the environment.
Chemical reactions
The students will be able to demonstrate an understanding reaction of
dynamics and chemical energetics essential for the advancement of the
chemical and manufacturing industry.
Organic chemistry
The students will be able to demonstrate creative use of knowledge and
skills on the composition and reactivity of organic compounds for safe and
efficient utilization of resources around them.
Environmental chemistry
The students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the
applications of chemistry in solving real life problems and the potential
harmful effects of chemicals and chemical processes on the environment
and human health
xi
Scope and sequence chart for Forms 1 to 4
1
Core element Form 1 Form 2 Form 3 Form 4
Chemical Composition and Chemical bonding Chemical bonding and
composition of classification of matter (15 periods) properties of matter (20
matter (24 periods) periods)
types of bonding
particulate nature of ‒ covalent properties of ionic and
matter ‒ ionic covalent compounds
atoms, elements and ‒ metallic bond polarity
compounds chemical formulae effects of intermolecular
for ionic and forces
chemical symbols and
covalent allotropy and allotropes
formulae
compounds properties and uses of
pure substances and cross and dot allotropes of carbon
mixtures diagrams properties and uses of
solutions metallic substances
properties and uses of
separating mixtures alloys
‒ chromatography
‒ filtration
‒ distillation
‒ sedimentation
‒ decantation
‒ centrifuge
‒ crystallization
2
Core element Form 1 Form 2 Form 3 Form 4
Inorganic Atomic structure (12 Elements and the Nitrogen, sulphur and
chemistry periods) periodic Table (15 phosphorus (16 periods)
periods)
atomic structure properties and uses of
electron configuration trends in the nitrogen, sulphur,
atomic numbers (A) and periodic table phosphorus and their
mass numbers (Z) properties of compounds
isotopes groups I,II,VII and
average atomic masses VIII
uses of group
The periodic table (9 I,II,VII and VIII
periods) elements
definition of periodic
table
arrangement of the first
twenty elements in the
periodic table
family of elements
3
Core element Form 1 Form 2 Form 3 Form 4
Chemical Physical and chemical Acids and bases (15 Chemical reactions I: Chemical reactions
reactions changes (12 periods) periods) stoichiometry (28 II: rates of
periods) reactions (8 periods)
introduction to physical properties of acids
and chemical changes and bases balancing chemical definition of rate
chemical reactions acid – base equations of reaction
balancing chemical indicators relative formula masses factors affecting
equations strength of acids rate of reaction
the mole concept
reacting masses and bases in terms measuring rates of
percentage of pH value the percentage of reactions
composition by mass uses of acids and water in molecular and interpreting
bases hydrated ionic graphs on rates of
neutralisation compounds reactions
reactions and their empirical and reversible and
applications molecular formula irreversible
reactions
concentration of chemical
solutions equilibrium
preparation of standard
solutions
titrations
percentage yield
4
5
Core element Form 1 Form 2 Form 3 Form 4
Heats of reactions (10 Acids and bases (16
periods) periods)
endothermic and definition of acids
exothermic reactions and bases
temperature change in according to
chemical reactions Bronsted-Lowry
energy level diagrams theory conjugate
bond energies acid- base pairs
preparation of soluble strength of acids
and insoluble salts and base in terms
separation and of ionisation
purification of salts
concentration
applications of
versus strength of
precipitation reactions
acids and bases
ways of controlling
pH in different
environments
classification of metal
oxides and non-metal
oxides as acidic and
basic
6
Core element Form 1 Form 2 Form 3 Form 4
Reduction and
oxidation reactions (16
periods)
definition of oxidation
and reduction
oxidation
states/numbers
half and overall
equations
oxidizing and reducing
agents
displacement reactions
activity series
voltage series
corrosion and its
prevention
7
8
Core element Form 1 Form 2 Form 3 Form 4
Organic Introduction to organic Organic families I: Organic families II: Isomerism (8
chemistry compounds (9 periods) Alkanols (12 periods) periods)
hydrocarbons
functional group
historical background (15 periods) definition of
structure and
of organic compounds (alkanes, alkenes ) isomers
nomenclature
uses of organic nomenclature of structures and
compounds alkanes and alkenes molecular and general nomenclature of
molecular, formulae isomers (alkanes,
fractions of petroleum
condensed, alkenes, alkanols
and their uses classification
structural and alkanals,
skeletal formulae of preparation alkanones and
alkanes and alkenes physical, and chemical alkanoic acids)
saturated and properties effects of
unsaturated uses branching on
hydrocarbons physical properties
of organic
physical and Alkanals and alkanones
compounds
chemical properties (aldehydes and
of alkanes and ketones ) (8 periods)
alkenes functional group
structure and
uses of alkanes and nomenclature
alkenes sources
tests
uses
9
Alkanoic (carboxylic) Polymerisation (8
acids (12 periods) periods)
functional group definition of
structure and polymers
nomenclature types of polymers
molecular and general types of
formulae polymerisation
sources properties and
uses of polymers
physical, and chemical
properties thermosoftening
and thermosetting
uses
plastics
ways of moulding
plastics
10
Core element Form 1 Form 2 Form 3 Form 4
Alkanoates ( esters) (8
periods)
functional group
structure and
nomenclature
sources
properties
uses
saponification
Identification of
unknown organic
compounds (4 periods)
deducing class and
formulae of unknown
organic compounds
construction of flow
diagrams
11
Environmental Air (12 periods) Water (18 periods)
chemistry composition of dry
natural sources
air
water cycle
separation of air
into its components properties of
properties and uses water
of gases in air importance of
common pollutants water
of air
sources of air hard and soft
pollutants water
water pollutants
Soil (9 periods)
chemical dangers of
composition of soil polluted water
chemical properties purification and
of soil treatment of water
sources and effects
of soil pollution prevention of
ways of controlling water pollution
soil pollution international and
national standards
on water quality
impact of human
activities on the
atmosphere
12
Core element Form 1 Form 2 Form 3 Form 4
Greenhouse gases
and the ozone layer
(8 periods)
greenhouse gases
ozone layer
standards on air
quality
Waste management
(8 periods)
types of wastes
sources
treatment and
disposal of wastes
minimization of
wastes
social and economic
importance of
recycling wastes
13
Teaching syllabus for Forms 1 and 2
Form 1
Core element Analytical skills in chemistry
Outcome The students will be able to show an understanding of appropriate uses of scientific methods,
techniques and materials to solve problems in their daily lives.
14
standard criteria topic and learning activities teaching, teaching, learning
learning and and assessment
assessment resources
methods
15
Assessment Success Theme/ Suggested teaching Suggested Suggested
standard criteria topic and learning activities teaching, teaching, learning
learning and and assessment
assessment resources
methods
16
Assessme Success Theme/ Suggested teaching Suggested Suggested
nt criteria topic and learning activities teaching, teaching, learning
standard learning and and assessment
assessment resources
methods
17
Assessment Success Theme/ Suggested teaching Suggested Suggested
standard criteria topic and learning activities teaching, teaching, learning
learning and and assessment
assessment resources
methods
18
Core element Analytical skills in chemistry
Outcome The students will be able to show an understanding of the appropriate use of scientific methods,
techniques and materials to solve problems in their daily lives.
19
Assessment Success Theme/ Suggested teaching Suggested Suggested
standard criteria topic and learning teaching, teaching,
activities learning and learning and
assessment assessment
methods resources
20
Core element Chemical composition of matter
Outcome The students will be able to appreciate the composition and properties of various natural and
synthetic substances which form their environment.
21
coffee
brainstorming the cooking aromas
3 give meaning of diffusion (spices)
evidence of computer
the investigating the simulations
particulate particulate nature of sugar and salt
nature of matter using the beans and maize
matter using concept of diffusion of molecular models
the concept spread of perfumes and markers
of diffusion cooking aromas in air; naphthalene
and coffee grains in thistle funnel
water as examples grease
cooking oil
defining an element
burner
discussing and writing
distillation
4 differentiate chemical symbols of
apparatus
between an atoms of elements
filtration
element and illustrating the
apparatus
a compound formation of different
centrifuge
molecules of
bar magnets
substances using
chromatograms
diagrams or models
discussing the
differences between an
element and a
compound in terms of
atoms presents
identifying substances
from the chemical
symbols of their atoms
5 name naming substances
substances given their chemical
given their formulae
chemical
formulae or
22
symbols
6 determine
the type and identifying types of
number of atoms present in a
atoms in the molecule
chemical working out the
formula of a number of each type of
given atoms present in a
substance given chemical formula
working out the total
number of atoms
7 differentiate present in a given
between a chemical formula
pure brainstorming the
substance meaning of pure
and a substance and mixture
mixture identifying a pure
substance and a
mixture given different
substances
discussing different
types of mixtures
- homogeneous
8 describe - heterogeneous
different brainstorming the
types of meanings of the terms
solutions solutions, solvents and
solutes
discussing the meaning
of an aqueous solution
explaining different
types of solutions
- solid in solid
23
- liquid in liquid
- solid in liquid
- gas in liquid
- gas in gas
24
Core element Inorganic compounds
Outcome The students will be able to appreciate properties of various inorganic substances, their uses in
the manufacturing industry and the dangers they pose on the environment.
25
4 use atomic configuration
and mass
discussing the
numbers to
meaning of mass
calculate
number (A) and atomic
the number
number (Z)
of protons,
interpreting and using
neutrons or
nuclide symbols in the
electrons in
form A X
a given
atom Z
working out the
number of sub-atomic
particles in an atom
given relevant
5 explain,
information
with
relevant
discussing the
examples,
meaning of isotopes
the meaning
writing nuclide
of an
symbols of different
isotope
isotopes
calculating the
average mass of an
element given masses
of its isotopes
26
Core element Inorganic compounds
Outcome The students will be able to appreciate properties of various inorganic substances, their uses in
the manufacturing industry and the dangers they pose to the environment.
27
the outermost shell
(valence electrons) and
group number of the
element
establishing the
relationship between
periods and number of
3 state the shells
family
name of discussing special
elements names of some groups
like.
in the
- alkali metals
periodic - alkaline earth
table metals
- halogens
- noble gases
28
Core element Chemical reactions
Outcome The students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of reaction dynamics and chemical
energetics essential for the advancement of the chemical and manufacturing industry.
29
ribbon in air and internet
reacting sodium metal
with water
3 express a discussing the
chemical reactants and
reaction in products of a chemical
form of an reaction
equation
expressing simple
chemical reactions
4 determine using word and
masses of chemical equations
reactants balancing simple
and chemical equations
products in
a chemical calculating formula
reaction masses of given
substances in a
balanced chemical
equation
comparing masses of
reactants to those of
5 work out product(s)
the
percentage discussing the law of
composition conservation of matter
by mass of
elements in calculating the
a compound percentage by mass of
a particular element
in a given compound
30
Core element Organic chemistry
Outcome The students will be able to demonstrate creative use of knowledge and skills on the
composition and reactivity of organic compounds for safe and efficient utilization of resources
around them.
31
biodiesel)
- fossil fuels (coal,
petroleum, and
natural gas)
3 describe the
composition discussing the
of petroleum composition of
petroleum as a mixture
of organic compounds
(hydrocarbons)
discussing separation
of petroleum into
useful fractions by
fractional distillation
4 state the
uses of discussing uses of
fractions of fractions of petroleum
petroleum - petrol
- diesel
- bitumen
- paraffin
- lubricants
32
Form 2
Core element Inorganic compounds
Outcome The students will be able to appreciate properties of various inorganic substances, their uses
in the manufacturing industry and the dangers they pose on the environment.
33
2 state uses of
group I, II,
VII and VIII discussing the uses of
elements in elements of group I, II,
the periodic VII and VIII
table listing products that
uses the elements
34
Core element Chemical composition of matter
Outcome The students will be able to appreciate the composition and properties of various natural and
synthetic substances which form their environment.
35
writing formulae for
ionic compounds from
given symbols and ionic
charges
4 describe
covalent discussing the
bonding formation of covalent
bonds between non-
metallic elements using
H2, Cl2, O2, N2, H2O and
CO2 as examples
writing formulae for
simple covalent
compounds using
5 draw cross valencies
and dot
structures writing cross and dot
showing diagrams to illustrate
ionic and bonding for:
covalent - ionic compounds eg
bonding NaCl, CaO, and
MgCl2
- diatomic molecules
eg H2, and Cl2
- compound
6 describe molecules eg H2O,
metallic NH3 and CH4
bonding
explaining bonding in
metals resulting from
electrostatic attraction
between positive ions
and delocalised
electrons
36
Core element Chemical reactions
Outcome The students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of aspects of reaction dynamics and
chemical energetics essential for the advancement of the chemical and manufacturing industry.
37
discussing how a sulphuric acid
universal indicator hydrochloric acid
3 determine chart is used to magnesium ribbon
the strength determine the pH value chidulo
of an acid of an acid or a base sodium chloride
and a base aluminium foil
using distinguishing acids sodium hydroxide
universal and bases using lime
indicator universal indicator and tomato leaves
and pH noting their strength hibiscus flowers
scale comparing strength of
acids of the same acacia leaves
concentration by
4 describe the reacting with
uses of Magnesium ribbon
acids and
bases discussing the uses of
- acids
5 describe - bases
neutralizatio
n reaction brainstorming
neutralization reaction
conducting experiments
to show neutralization
6 explain the reaction
applications
of discussing applications
neutralizatio of neutralization
n reaction reaction eg
- drinking of milk by
people with ulcers
- taking of anti-acid
- such as milk of
38
magnesia and
sodium bicarbonate
(soda)
- addition of lime to
acidic soils
- insect bite
neutralisation
use of tooth paste for
mouth cleaning
39
Assessment Success Theme/ Suggested teaching Suggested Suggested
standard criteria topic and learning activities teaching, teaching, learning
learning and and assessment
assessment resources
methods
We will know this Students must
when the students be able to:
are able to:
demonstrate an 1 classify Hydrocarbo discussing families of question and pictures
understanding organic ns organic compounds answer charts
of the sources, compounds (hydrocarbons and written exercises posters
properties and oxycarbons) reading activity sheets
uses of discussing the two assignments textbooks
hydrocarbons homologous series of written reports candles
hydrocarbons (alkanes brainstorming paraffin
and alkenes) demonstrations gas burners
experimentation petroleum jelly
2 name and naming alkanes and tests bromine solution
draw the alkenes containing up field trips distilled water
formulae of to ten carbon atoms group glassware
alkanes and drawing structural and discussions internet
alkenes up skeletal formulae of observations molecular models
to ten alkanes and alkenes role plays cyclohexene
carbon cooking oil
atoms discussing the computer
difference between simulations
saturated and conductivity
unsaturated apparatus
hydrocarbons
3 write the
molecular writing the molecular
and and condensed
condensed formulae of alkanes
40
formulae of and alkenes
alkanes and deducing the general
alkenes formulae of alkanes
given the and alkenes
number of discussing how to use
carbon the general formulae to
atoms come up with a
molecular formula of
any alkane or alkene
given the number of
carbons
41
writing balanced
equations for the
combustion
investigating the
combustion of alkanes
7 describe and alkenes of different
substitution chain sizes
reactions of
alkanes discussing the meaning
of substitution reaction
42
alkanols, polymer
synthesis)
- alkanes (fuels for
automobiles,
lubricants,
surfacing roads,
heating , lighting,
storage of reactive
metals)
43
Core element Environmental chemistry
Outcome The students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the applications of chemistry in
solving real life problems and the potential harmful effects of chemicals and chemical processes
on the environment and human health.
44
properties of oxygen
reaction with metals
and non metals
test for oxygen
discussing uses of
oxygen
4 describe
common naming some common
atmospheric pollutants (eg CO, CH4,
pollutants NO2, SO2, O3, NO, and
and their unburned hydrocarbon)
sources discussing sources of
common indoor and
outdoor air pollutants
45
Assessment Success Theme/ Suggested teaching Suggested Suggested
standard criteria topic and learning activities teaching, teaching,
learning and learning and
assessment assessment
methods resources
We will know this Students must
when the students be able to:
are able to: 1 describe the Soil discussing the question and activity sheet
demonstrate components composition of soil (air, answer textbooks
an of soil water, organic and written exercises charts
understanding inorganic matter) tests chemicals and
of composition, 2 describe the group reagents
properties and chemical discussing chemical discussions glassware
pollution of soil properties of properties of soil (ion demonstrations plastic containers
soil exchange capacity, soil experimentations scientific
pH, salinity, organic observations calculators
matter) and their written reports samples of soil
importance role plays balances
3 describe discussing the reading pH meters
sources of importance of assignment computer
soil controlling acidity of simulations
pollutants soil conductivity
and their defining soil pollution apparatuses
effects discussing sources of protective wear
soil pollutants and their
4 explain ways effects
of
preventing
soil pollution discussing ways of
preventing soil pollution
46
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