Aquatic Practices 2014
Study plan for an Authority-registered subject area syllabus (sample)

Use this form to outlineyour school’s plan for teaching and assessing this Authority-registered subject. Please complete this study plan on the computer. Do not worry if a table breaks over to a new page.Study plans are available from the QCAA website

Please note: Insert the school details in section 1, the study plan in section 2 and student profile in section 3.

Section 1: School statement

School: / A Queensland school / School code: / 123
Subject area syllabus: / Aquatic Practices / Subject code: / 6401
School contact: / A teacher / Phone: / 7654 0123
This is: / a new study plan / a resubmission of a non-approved study plan / an amendment to an approved study plan
Application for approval

I, the principal/school moderator ofa Queensland Schoolaffirm the school has the resources to implement this program of study. This school agrees to apply the principles of assessment as outlined in the subject area syllabus, and to follow the procedures and conditions set by the QCAA for approval of the study plan and certification of student achievement. The timetabled school time devoted to the study and assessment of this subject is a minimum of 55 hours per semester (220 hours).

Check to indicate your agreement.
Principal / school moderator name: A principal / Date: 2/09/2014

Section 2: Course and assessment overview

Aquatic Practices is a four-semester course of study. Semesters 1 and 2 of the course are designed to allow students to begin their engagement with the course content, i.e. the knowledge, understandings and skills of the subject. Course content, learning experiences and assessment increase in complexity across the four semesters as students develop greater independence as learners. Semesters 3 and 4 consolidate their learning.

The study area core underpins this SAS and is described through concepts and ideas and associated knowledge, understanding and skills. The electives provide contexts through which students build on underpinning core concepts and ideas.

Refer to the Study plan requirements. This is availableat

Fill in the columns as per the following:

  • units of work — unit title and outline of concepts and ideas
  • approximate time (Section 3.2 of the syllabus)
  • course organisation

Indicate the integration of core and electives (Sections 3.2.1 and 3.2.2 of the syllabus)

  • assessment description — identify the technique and describe the conditions of assessment, e.g. access to resources, supervised/unsupervised (Section 4.4 of the syllabus).

Aquatic Practices 2014
Study plan for an Authority-registered subject area syllabus (sample) / Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority
October 2014
Page1of 4
Semester / Unit title and outline of concepts and ideas
(minimum 4 units, maximum 8 units) / Approximate time (hours) / Core/elective topic / Assessment no. / Assessment
technique, description, conditions,length/time / Formative or Summative / Dimensions
Knowing understanding / Analysing applying / Planning evaluating
Safety and management practices / Environmental / Recreational / Commercial / Cultural
1 / Boating— working safely on the water, weather and tides, equipment maintenance and operation, navigation skills, introduction to boat design and propulsion systems / 55 / SM
1–4 / E
1.1 / R
1.1
1.2
R
2.1
2.2 / C
1.1
1.2
1.3
C
3.1
3.2
3.3 / 1 / Project: Boating field trip
  • Written component 1: 400words
  • Performance component
  • Written component 2: 400words
/ F
2 / Examination:60 minutes, supervised
  • Short response: 50–150 words per item
/ F
2 / Oceanography, waterways and life — processes which shape aquatic environments, marine life, estuaries, freshwater creek study and organism classification / 30 / SM1
SM4 / E
1.2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4 / 3 / Investigation: Water quality of a local waterway
  • Written: 500–800 words
/ F
Snorkelling — safety and equipment maintenance, influence of weather and tides, identification of organisms, habitats and ecosystems, scientific principles of buoyancy and flotation / 29 / SM
2–4 / E
1.1
2.2
2.3 / R
1.1
2.2 / 4 / Project: Snorkelling
  • Performance component
  • Written component:
    400–700 words
/ F
3 / Surfing, tourism and employment— safety and equipment maintenance, career opportunities, threats to the aquatic environment, protecting the aquatic environment, famous shipwrecks / 29 / SM
1–4 / E
1.1
3.1
3.2 / R
1.1
1.2 / C
1.1
1.2 / Cu
1.1
1.2
1.3
2.1 / 5 / Project: Surfing
  • Performance component
  • Written component:
    500–900words
/ S
Aquariums and aquaculture — establishing an aquatic ecosystem, career and business opportunities, importance of water quality and nutrition / 26 / SM2
SM4 / E
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4 / C
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4 / 6 / Investigation: Water quality of a local waterway
  • Written report: 600–1000 words
/ S
4 / Power boating— licencing requirements, tides, navigation, power boat design and propulsion systems / 27 / SM
1–4 / E
1.1 / R
1.1
2.1
2.2 / C
1.3
3.1
3.2
3.3 / 7 / Examination:
90 minutes, supervised
  • Short response: 50–250 words per item
/ S
Food from the sea — conservation and use of aquatic resources as food sources, career opportunities in fishing and seafood preparation, safe seafood preparation and handling techniques / 28 / SM
1–4 / E
3.2 / C
1.2 / Cu
1.1
1.2
1.3 / 8 / Investigation: From ocean to plate
  • Written: 600–1000words
/ S

For a composite arrangement

This syllabus enables teachers to develop a course that caters for combined Year 11 and Year 12 classes. The syllabus can support teaching and learning for composite classes by enabling teachers to:

  • structure learning experiences and assessment to allow students to access the key concepts and ideas suited to their needs in each year level
  • provide opportunities for multilevel group work, peer teaching and independent work.

The following may prove helpful in designing a course of study for a composite class:

  • the course of study could be written in a Year A/Year B format, if the school intends to teach the same topics to both cohorts
  • topics that will allow Year 11 students ease of entry into the course should be scheduled in the beginning of the year
  • learning experiences and assessment need to cater for both year levels throughout the course. Even though tasks may be similar for both year levels, Year 12 tasks are more complex or are extended tasks.

Aquatic Practices 2014
Study plan for an Authority-registered subject area syllabus (sample) / Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority
October 2014
Page1of 4

Section 3: Student profile

Semester / Unit / Assessment no. / Assessment instrument / Formative or Summative / Knowing understanding / Analysing applying / Planning evaluating
1 / Boating / 1 / Project / F
2 / Examination / F
Interim standards
Reporting
2 / Oceanography, waterways and life / 3 / Investigation / F
Snorkelling / 4 / Project / F
Interim standards
Reporting
3 / Surfing, tourism and employment / 5 / Project / S
Aquariums and aquaculture / 6 / Investigation / S
Interim standards
Reporting
4 / Power boating / 7 / Examination / S
Food from the sea / 8 / Investigation / S
Exit standards
Exit Level of Achievement
Aquatic Practices 2014
Study plan for an Authority-registered subject area syllabus (sample) / Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority
October 2014
Page1of 4