1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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