Intermediate Phase · Grade 6

Life Skills

grow as a whole person 🌱
Grade 6 CAPS Aligned Free Papers + Memos
Overview
What to expect in Grade 6

Grade 6 Life Skills is the final year of the Intermediate Phase and consolidates whole-learner development at a level that prepares learners for the Senior Phase. The Beginning Knowledge and Personal and Social Wellbeing component addresses adolescent development, relationships, rights and responsibilities and community engagement. Creative Arts develops independent creative expression across visual art, music, drama and dance. Physical Education focuses on sport-specific skills, team play and personal fitness goals.

Weekly Life Skills time
4 hours per week
Three components
Beginning Knowledge · Creative Arts · Physical Education
Assessment weighting
Formal tasks: 75% · Informal: 25%
Key focus
Adolescent development · independent creativity · sport-specific skills
CAPS curriculum
Term-by-term breakdown
Term 1
Adolescent development & wellbeing
  • Physical changes during puberty: what to expect and how to manage
  • Emotional changes in adolescence: mood fluctuations, identity formation
  • Healthy relationships: trust, respect, communication, boundaries
  • Online safety: cyberbullying, digital footprint, screen time management
  • Creative Arts — Visual Art: perspective drawing, still life, observational drawing
  • Creative Arts — Music: part-singing, harmony, SA contemporary music
  • Physical Education: athletics — technique in running, jumping and throwing events
  • Fitness assessment: measure and set personal fitness goals
Term 2
Rights, responsibilities & creative arts
  • The South African Constitution: Bill of Rights in everyday context
  • Gender equality: challenging stereotypes and discrimination
  • Child protection: abuse prevention, safe adults, reporting
  • Community service: what it is and how to engage
  • Creative Arts — Drama: scripted performance, directing techniques
  • Creative Arts — Dance: dance styles — hip hop, contemporary, kwaito
  • Physical Education: net and wall games — volleyball, tennis principles
  • Team strategy: planning moves, positions and communication
Term 3
Health, substance awareness & arts
  • Substance abuse: alcohol, tobacco, cannabis — short and long-term effects
  • Peer pressure and substance use — refusal skills
  • First aid: basic first aid procedures — bleeding, choking, burns
  • Environmental health: water quality, sanitation, safe food handling
  • Creative Arts — Visual Art: digital art, photography composition
  • Creative Arts — Music: improvisation and composition using instruments
  • Physical Education: striking and fielding games — cricket, rounders
  • Physical fitness: strength, endurance and flexibility circuit training
Term 4
Transition, performance & celebration
  • Preparing for the Senior Phase: study skills, time management, self-discipline
  • Managing change: new schools, friendships, academic expectations
  • Creative Arts — performance showcase: all art forms represented
  • Physical Education: indigenous games and recreational activities
  • Sport and recreation for life: the value of staying active
  • Reflection: personal growth across Grade 6
  • Goal setting for Grade 7
  • Farewell and celebration of Intermediate Phase completion
Assessment
How marks are split
Beginning Knowledge & Wellbeing
40%
Creative Arts
35%
Physical Education
25%
Key skills
What a strong Grade 6 student can do
Describe physical and emotional changes in puberty Explain healthy relationship boundaries Apply online safety knowledge Describe the Bill of Rights in everyday context Create observational drawings with perspective Perform in a scripted drama Demonstrate sport-specific skills in games Apply basic first aid for common injuries Set personal fitness goals and track progress Explain the effects of substance abuse
Practice materials
Grade 6 papers & memos
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Study smarter
Tips for Grade 6
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For written tests — learn key vocabulary. Life Skills tests ask you to define terms like 'puberty', 'assertive', 'biodiversity', 'Bill of Rights'. Learn the exact definitions and use them in sentences.

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Creative Arts assessments reward process, not just product. Teachers assess your engagement, creative thinking and understanding of concepts, not just the final artwork or performance. Participate fully and explain your choices.

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PE is assessed practically — attend every lesson. PE marks come from participation and correct technique. Attend every lesson, listen carefully to instructions and try your best at every skill.

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Connect Life Skills to your real life. The content is most memorable when connected to your own experience. When studying puberty, think about changes you are noticing. When studying rights, think about your school rules.