1

To be, or not to be, that is the question. Whether it makes the mind any nobler…The key to powerful

thinking is powerful questioning. When the students ask the right questions, they are on the path to self learn-

ing and they succeed as a thinker, for questions are the force that powers their thinking.

Unless the students know the basic building blocks of thinking, they cannot identify, examine, and check

those building blocks and indulge in critical thinking. As the students deploy these questioning strategies in

various domains of their lives , they will discover features of their thinking that needs to be revised, re-

thought, and reconstructed.

In this issue of Academic Communique, the staff has taken an effort to lay the foundation of critical thinking by providing

apt stems to questions that will stimulate students thinking and we request the support of the parents to help their wards ex-

cel in the art of questioning and achieve a mastery for self learning by active questioning.

This document would provide useful insights into the progression of your ward’s development in various subjects. It would

serve as a useful document for the parents, students and for the system at large for improvising the quality of learning and

development of children during this stage of education. The learning indicators and stage-wise curricular expectations will

provide opportunities for timely intervention at each Grade level, which, when checked in time will help the students per-

form in line with statutory requirements throughout their educational journey.

We request you to engage with your child in his learning cycle for supporting his needs and for motivating him. The quality

time spent with your child will inspire him to achieve his goal in life. We wish you every success in assisting your child to

fulfil his dreams.

Sanjeev K. Jolly

Principal / CEO

Grade-8

OUR OWN HIGH SCHOOL, AL WARQA’A, DUBAI

CURRICULUM IN ACTION

Academic communique

Message from the Principal

.

Dr Anjuli Murthy, Headmistress

Message from the Headmistress

Vol 2, Issue 1, April - 2015

Positive effects of parental involvement in their ward’s academic programme have been demonstrated at

all school levels in countries across the world. Through the Academic Communique the school is shar-

ing the planned curriculum in English, Mathematics and Science with you for Term 1 of the Academic

Year 2015-16. In this issue, the focus is to develop the students’ inquisitive nature through questioning.

The content based skills, questioning stems and the ICT resources will enable you to monitor your ward’s pro-

gress through his written assignments in order to enable the best learning outcome for him. We suggest that you

spend some time with your ward on: collaborative reading and questioning while reading using the stems; quiz

on general and subject related topics using questioning stems for reasoning; Mental Mathematics to enquire and

visualize concepts and processes; and collectively undertaking fun activities in Mathematics and Science using

the ICT links provided in this issue of Academic Communique.

We are sure your active involvement in your son’s educational journey will significantly improve

his skills, critical thinking ability and hence his performance in school assessments.

2

Message from the Curriculum Coordinator

Sadia Mahmood,

Curriculum Coordinator

In this issue of the Academic Communique, the students have been empowered with a tool to build

their confidence at every milestone of their learning. The confidence in learning is being built with

‘I can statements’ which are the skills that your ward is developing during his course of journey in

Term 1. It will provide a roadmap to his learning and in order to strengthen it, in this issue, the

teaching faculty has provided your ward with the most appropriate stems to questioning. Your

ward can use the stems to frame questions while he is learning in the class with his peers and

teachers and you may help your ward frame questions at home to self assess his learning.

The learning resources available on the internet has made home learning a pleasure and in order to

increase the pleasure of learning the teaching faculty has selected the best of interactive resources

to help your ward.

In this issue the students, parents and the teachers take a flight together, developing the content

based knowledge along with questioning skills of interpreting and reasoning. In order to develop

the critical thinking and incite the mind, one needs to question his learning regularly.

This issue presents the food for thought for your ward and prepares the platform for thought pro-

voking questions: My ‘Questioning Conscience’; Thought I knew it all. But I didn't, did I ? I

guess not. Did I question my learning today?

Learning can take place anytime and anywhere. With the explosion of knowledge

and the availability of the best of educational resources on the internet, the size of

the classroom has extended beyond the walls of the classroom and the Academic

Communique establishes the connection between the student, teachers and parents

providing a window to the students’ learning that is taking place during the Term.

Sadia Mahmood,

Curriculum Coordinator

3

English Topic I can statements …

(children can assess

their learning by us-

ing these

‘I can statements’)

Thought provoking

questions to develop

critical thinking

(Some Suggestions)

At home your ward may use re-

sources to further extend his learn-

ing…(Some Suggestions)

Listening -

Words and

Sentences

I can listen to English

words and sentences

spoken/used in class/

school and responds

accordingly.

I can comprehend an-

nouncements made in

school and in other

areas of the society

like railway stations,

markets, airports, cin-

emas, etc. and the

news in English on

TV/radio and other

bulletins.

What did ...?

Who was it that...?

When did the ….?

Where was it….?

Can you tell why...?

Describe what was…?

What factors would you

change if...?

How many ….?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/topic-

group/speaking-and-listening

Listening -Polite

Language and

Expression in

English

I can understand and

differentiate polite

language from other

tones in language.

I can comprehend

people from different

professions/ walks of

life .

Do you think ... is a good

or a bad thing?

Do you know another

instance where...?

What changes to ...

would you recommend?

Do you believe…….?

How would you have

handled...?

Why did you choose...?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/topic/types

-of-listening

4

English Topic I can statements …

(children can assess

their learning by us-

ing these

‘I can statements’)

Thought provoking

questions to develop

critical thinking

(Some Suggestions)

At home your ward may use re-

sources to further extend his learn-

ing…(Some Suggestions)

Listening -

New Words /

New Sentences

I can understand the

difference between

words and phrases,

phrases and sentences,

questions and state-

ments as per tone,

stress, etc.

Find the meaning of...?

What is ….?

How many...?

Frame into…….?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/topic/

listening-for-specifics

Speaking -

Self and Surrounding

I can relate to my sur-

roundings and speak

about my experiences

I can take interest in

listening to different

experiences of others

and relate to them

Can you say it in your

own words...?

Who do you think...?

What in your opinion…?

Are you a ... person?

What would you think

about…….?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/topic/

formal-and-informal-speaking

Speaking -

Words/Sentences

I can attend to oral

messages/telephonic

communications and

communicate in Eng-

lish or home lan-

guage/sign language.

What was the main

idea...?

Can you provide an ex-

ample of what you

mean...?

Can you define…?

Distinguish between...?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/topic/

communication-skills

Speaking -

Visuals/ Auditory

I can appreciate pic-

tures, music and can

express in speech/

writing.

Do you know another

instance where...? What

are other possible out-

comes? From the infor-

mation given, can you

develop a set of instruc-

tions about...?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/topic/

giving-a-presentation

5

Topic I can statements …

(children can assess

their learning by us-

ing these

‘I can statements’)

Thought provoking

questions to develop

critical thinking

(Some Suggestions)

At home your ward may use re-

sources to further extend his learn-

ing…(Some Suggestions)

Reading I can find word mean-

ings/antonyms/word

formations

I can make predictions

I can identify charac-

ter traits

I can identify author’s

purpose (Inform/

persuade/entertain)

I can draw conclu-

sions and make infer-

ences

What is the meaning…?

Do you know another

instance where...?

What changes to …

would you recommend?

How would you have

handled...?

Can you tell why...?

What factors would you

change if...?

Make sentences with the new words learnt,

for better understanding

Log on to the link below and practice:

http://www.tv411.org/reading/

understanding-what-you-read/strategies-

better-reading/activity/1/1

http://teacher.depaul.edu/Skill-Focused-

Readings/Grade%206%20Character%

20Traits.pdf

http://www.ereadingworksheets.com/

reading-worksheets/authors-purpose-

practice-1.htm

http://www.k12reader.com/figurative-

language/ figura-

tive_language_what_is_it.pdf

Writing I can compose sentences

and organise of para-

graphs

I can create answers for

textual questions after

comprehension/

inference.

I can express through

writing, personal experi-

ence and application to

real life situations.

I can write for different

purposes such as class

notes, paragraphs, for-

mal letters, descriptive/

narrative/argumentative

essays.

Can you write it in your

own words...?

Can you write a brief out-

line...?

Who do you think...?

What in your opinion…?

http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/

planning-and-organizing/organizing

6

Topic I can statements … (children can

assess their learning by using

these

‘I can statements’)

Thought provoking ques-

tions to develop critical

thinking

(Some Suggestions)

At home your ward may use

resources to further extend his

learning…(Some Suggestions)

Rational

Numbers

I can add, subtract , multiply and

divide rational numbers

I can state, identify and apply the

properties of addition, subtraction ,

multiplication and division of ration-

al numbers

I can explain the density of rational

numbers and find the rational num-

bers between two given rational

numbers

I can solve real life problems involv-

ing two or more operations on ra-

tional numbers

How would you apply ?

How do you simplify….?

Evaluate…...

How can you sort …. ?

What is the difference/sum/

product of …. ?

Insert rational numbers be-

tween.....?

Apply suitable property to

simplify……

Fill the blanks using suitable

property.

Log on to the links below and

practice:

https://www.kutasoftware.com/

free.html

https://www.kutasoftware.com/

free.html eduplace.com/kids/

hmm/practice/6/ep6_08.html

eduplace.com/kids/hmm/

practice/6/ep6_08.html

http://www.math-only-

math.com/worksheet-on-word-

problems-on-rational-

numbers.html

Exponents

and Powers

I can explain the exponents , base

and power of a given exponential

number

I can explain and evaluate rational

numbers with exponents as positive

and negative integers

I can find the reciprocal of an expo-

nential rational number with positive

and negative integers as exponents

I can state , explain and apply the

laws of exponents while solving the

problems (with any rational number

as the base)

Evaluate with positive expo-

nent….

Evaluate….when the exponent

is negative integer.

Simplify using laws of expo-

nents.

Find the value of unknown if

….

How to write the number in

standard form and vice versa?

Log on to the link below and

practice:

http://www.math-aids.com/

Radicals/

Exponents_Integers.html

http://

www.mathworksheets4kids.com

/scientific-notations.html

http://

www.dadsworksheets.com/v1/

Worksheets/Order%20of%

20Operations.html

http://www.math-aids.com/

Algebra/Algebra_1/Exponents/

Mathematics

7

Topic I can statements … (children can as-

sess their learning by using these

‘I can statements’)

Thought provoking

questions to develop

critical thinking

(Some Suggestions)

At home your ward may use

resources to further extend

his learning…(Some Sug-

gestions)

Exponents

and Powers

I can explain and write the scientific

notation of any number and vice

http://www.mcckc.edu/

services/tutoring/tutoringbtc/

files/exp_rad_log/

Expo-

nent_Rules_&_Practice.pdf

Squares

and

Square

Roots

I can explain square numbers and

evaluate any square number

I can state and explain different prop-

erties of square numbers and apply it

in solving the problems

I can find one member of a Pythagore-

an triplet , given other two members.

I can find the square root of a perfect

square by prime factorization method.

I can find the smallest number to be

multiplied or divided to make any

number a perfect square

I can find the square root of any per-

fect square by division method

I can find the smallest number to be

added or subtracted so that a given

number becomes a perfect square

I can find the square root of a non per-

fect square by division method.( cor-

rect to 2 decimal places)

I can find the square root of any per-

fect square by estimation

I can solve the word problems involv-

ing squares and square roots

What is a perfect squares?

How to check if a number

is a perfect square?

How to find the smallest

number to be multiplied

or divided to …….?

How to find square root

of a number?

What is the smallest num-

ber to be added or sub-

tracted to ……….?

How to apply the concept

of square root while solv-

ing the problems….?

Log on to the links below and

practice:

http://www.math-only-

math.com/square-root-of-

numbers-that-are-not-perfect-

squares.html

http://www.freebookez.net/

square-and-cube-root-word-

problems/

http://

cbsemathstudy.blogspot.ae/20

11/06/squares-and-square-

roots-for-class-8.html

8

Topic I can statements … (children can

assess their learning by using these

‘I can statements’)

Thought provoking

questions to develop

critical thinking

(Some Suggestions)

At home your ward may use re-

sources to further extend his

learning…(Some Suggestions)

Cubes and

Cube Roots

I can explain cube numbers and eval-

uate any cube number

I can state and explain different prop-

erties of cube numbers and apply it in

solving the problems

I can find the cube root of a perfect

cube by prime factorization method

(including negative numbers and frac-

tions )

I can find the smallest number to be

multiplied or divided to make any

number a perfect cube

I can find the cube root of any perfect

cube by estimation

I can solve word problems involving

cubes and cube roots

What is a perfect cu-

bes?

How to check if a num-

ber is a perfect cube?

How to find the small-

est number to be multi-

plied or divided to

…….?

How to find cube root

of a number?

How to apply the con-

cept of cube root while

solving the prob-

lems….?

Log on to the links below and

practice:

http://www.math-drills.com/

numbersense/

cubes_and_cube_roots_001.html

http://mycbseguide.com/

download/1291/

http://in.edugain.com/

sampleWorksheet/Grade8/Cubes-

and-Cube-Root/Printed

9

Topic I can statements … (children can as-

sess their learning by using these

‘I can statements’)

Thought provoking

questions to develop

critical thinking

(Some Suggestions)

At home your ward may use

resources to further extend his

learning…(Some Suggestions)

Direct

and

Inverse

Variations

I can use ratio and proportions in real

life problems.

I can explain direct variation and identi-

fy two quantities vary directly or not.

I can solve simple and direct word prob-

lems of direct variation.

I can explain inverse variation and iden-

tify two quantities vary inversely or

not.

I can solve simple and direct word prob-

lems of inverse variation.

I can solve time and work done prob-

lems and those involving Speed, dis-

tance and time.

Identify the quanti-

ties ; vary directly

and inversely

How to solve the

problems on ….?

Solve problems relat-

ed to time and work

done…

http://www.mesacc.edu/

~scotz47781/mat120/notes/

variation/direct/direct_practice.html

http://mycbseguide.com/

download/1297/

https://jwolfkhs.pbworks.com/w/

file/fetch/79203152/

inversevarwkst.pdf

http://www.math-only-math.com/

worksheet-on-inverse-variation.html

Applications

of

Percentages

I can solve problems involving increase

percent and decrease percent

I can recognize overhead expenses as a

part of cost price and solve slightly ad-

vanced problems involving applica-

tions on profit percent and loss percent.

I can explain the relationship between

marked price ,discount and selling price

and solve problems involving these

concepts.

I can recognize different types of taxes

levied in commercial activities and word

problems involving especially sales tax

and VAT.

How to solve prob-

lems related to profit

% and loss %

Finding SP and MP

given Discount %

Finding Sales tax and

CP given tax %.

Log on to the link below and

practice:

http://www.kwiznet.com/p/

takeQuiz.php?

Chapter-

ID=2496&CurriculumID=22

http://www.ask-math.com/

worksheet-profit-loss.html

http://www.math-only-

math.com/worksheets-on-profit-

and-loss-percentage.html

http://www.math-only-

math.com/discount.html

http://www.nios.ac.in/media/

documents/SecMathcour/Eng/

Chapter-8.pdf

10

Topic I can statements … (children can assess their

learning by using these

‘I can statements’)

Thought provoking

questions to develop

critical thinking

(Some Suggestions)

At home your ward

may use resources to

further extend his

learning…(Some Sug-

Data

Handling

I can arrange the given data in a grouped fre-

quency table.

I can understand the class interval, class limits,

class mark and class size of any class interval.

I can find mean, mode and median of any raw

data.

I can draw and interpret bar graph for any given

data.

I can draw and interpret histogram for any giv-

en data.

I can draw and interpret Pie chart for any given

data.

Define…

How do you make a

grouped frequency ta-

ble?

How do you draw histo-

gram and pie chart.

How do you inter-

pret…..?

How to find mean, me-

dian, mode and range of

…..

http://

www.mathsisfun.com/

data/

11

Science Topic I can statements …

(children can assess their

learning by using these

‘I can statements’)

Thought provoking questions to develop

critical thinking

(Some Suggestions)

At home your

ward may use

resources to fur-

ther extend his

learning…(Some

Suggestions)

Synthetic

Fibers

and

Plastics

I can identify the different

types of synthetic fibers

I can compare the properties

and uses of synthetic fibers

I can analyze the advantages

and disadvantages of synthet-

ic fibers

I can identify the different

types of plastics and its uses

I can identify the properties

of polymers.

What is …?

How is …?

Where is …?

How would you explain …?,

How would you describe …?

What do you recall …?,

How would you show …?,

Who (what) were the main …?

What is the definition of...?

How would you classify …?

How would you compare/contrast …?

How would you rephrase the meaning …?,

What facts or ideas show …?

What is the main idea of …?

Which statements support …?

How can you explain what is meant …?

How would you summarize …?

How would you use …?

What examples can you find to …?

How would you solve _______ using what

you have learned …?

Log on to the

links below and

practice:

plas-

tics.americanchem

istry.com/

education-

resources

www.fibersource.

com/Fiber.html

http:/

handsonplas-

tics.com/

12

Topic I can statements …

(children can assess

their learning by us-

ing these

‘I can statements’)

Thought provoking questions to develop crit-

ical thinking

(Some Suggestions)

At home your

ward may use

resources to fur-

ther extend his

learning…(Some

Suggestions)

Cont. How would you show your understanding of

…?

What approach would you use to …?

How would you apply what you learned to de-

velop …?,

What would result if …?

How can you make use of the facts to …?,

What facts would you select to show …?,

Crop

Production

and

Management

I can recognize and

identify the steps in

agricultural practices .

I can analyze the role

of microorganisms in

nitrogen fixation.

What is the definition of...?

How would you classify …?

How would you compare/contrast …?

How can you explain …?

What can you say about …?

How would you summarize …? ,

Log on to the link

below and prac-

tice:

www.krishiworld.

com/html/

weed_control.html

http;//www.crop-

net.com

Sound I can identify the types

of waves.

I can recognize the

method of sound prop-

agation.

How would you use …?,

What examples can you find to …?,

Log on to the link

below and prac-

tice:

www.physicsclass

room.com

13

Topic I can statements … (children

can assess their learning by

using these

‘I can statements’)

Thought provoking questions

to develop critical thinking

(Some Suggestions)

At home your ward may use

resources to further extend

his learning…(Some Sugges-

tions)

Sound I can identify the properties of

sound

I can predict the effects- noise

pollution

How would you solve _______

using what you have learned

…?,

How would you organize

_______ to show …?,

How would you show your un-

derstanding of …?,

What approach would you use

to …?

How would you apply what you

learned to develop …?

What other way would you plan

to …?,

What would result if …?,

How can you make use of the

facts to …?

What facts would you select to

show …?,

Www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/

gbssci/phys/class/sound/u11

Combustion

and Fossil

Combustion

of Fossil

Fuels

I can devise ways to conserve

resources.

I can identify the types of com-

bustion conditions needed for

combustion-ignition tempera-

ture.

I can identify zones of flame

I can comprehend the for-

mation of coal and petrol

How would you organize to show

…?,

How would you show your under-

standing of …?,

What approach would you use to

…?

How would you apply what you

learned to develop …?

What other way would you plan to

…?,

Log on to the link below and

practice:

www.chemicalformula.org/

reactions/combustion

http:/

www.sustainableenergy.qld.ed

u.au/what.html

14

Topic I can statements …

(children can assess

their learning by us-

ing these

‘I can statements’)

Thought provoking questions to

develop critical thinking

(Some Suggestions)

At home your ward may

use resources to further

extend his learning…

(Some Suggestions)

Cont. I can devise ways to

conserve resources

What would result if …?

What elements would you choose to

change …?

What facts would you select to show

…?,

www.chemicalformula.org

/reactions/combustion

www.interactives.co.uk/

candle.htm

Some Natural

Phenomena

I can classify the posi-

tive and negative

charges in different

objects

I can identify the

safety measures

against lightning

strikes

What is the main idea of …?

Which statements support you to pro-

tect…?

What would result if …?

What if…….?

Log on to the link below

and practice:

https://youtu.be/

RDDfkKEa2ls

15

Topic I can statements

… (children can

assess their learn-

ing by using these

‘I can state-

ments’)

Thought provoking questions to develop critical

thinking

(Some Suggestions)

At home your ward

may use resources

to further extend

his learning…

(Some Suggestions)

Scientific

Enquiry

I can list the steps

in scientific en-

quiry

I can apply the

steps while con-

ducting experi-

ments, activities,

etc

How would you explain …?

How would you describe …?

How would you show …?

What were the main …?

What are three …?

What is the definition of...?

How would you classify the type of …?

How would you compare /contrast …?

Which statements support …?

How can you explain what is meant …?

How would you summarize …?

How would you use …?

What examples can you find to …?

How would you solve _______ using what you

have

learned …?

How would you organize _______ to show …?

How would you show your understanding of …?

What approach would you use to …?

How would you apply what you learned to develop

…?

What other way would you plan to …?

What would result if …?

How can you make use of the facts to …?

What approach would you use to …?

https://

www.youtube.com/

watch?

v=ig7GNipg0mI

https://

www.youtube.com/

watch?

v=BVfI1wat2y8

https://

www.youtube.com/

watch?

v=ig7GNipg0mI

https://

www.youtube.com/

watch?

v=BVfI1wat2y8

16

Topic I can statements …

(children can assess

their learning by

using these

‘I can statements’)

Thought provoking questions to de-

velop critical thinking

(Some Suggestions)

At home your ward may use

resources to further extend his

learning…(Some Suggestions)

Scientific

Enquiry

I can apply the steps

of scientific enquiry

in the activity

What other way would you plan to

…?

What would result if …?

How can you make use of the facts to

…?

What elements would you choose to

change …?

What facts would you select to show

…?

How would you solve _______ using

what you have learned …?

How would you organize _______ to

show …?

How would you show your under-

standing of …?

What approach would you use to …?

How would you apply what you

learned to develop …?

https://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=ig7GNipg0mI

https://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=BVfI1wat2y8