2006-07

• An introduction to the Year 8 work covered in your child’s subjects, including the kind of homeworks which may be set.
• An approach to helping your child to spell those (and other words).  This is the approach which is most used by staff in school.
• Some ideas about helping with homework
• Some hints about using the Internet, Encarta and other ICT sources
  

If you have any further questions on subjects, approaches etc. in Year 8 do not hesitate to contact your child’s tutor, or myself.

Mrs G Josephs
Learning Leader - Year 8

ENGLISH

Unit 1: The Island – Themed non-fiction unit (5 weeks)

Pupils will write about life whilst ship wrecked on a desert island. Writing activities will primarily focus on non-fiction text types.

Final Assessment Task: Pupils produce an article that recounts the events on the island and are assessed on their ability to use newspaper – writing techniques. Desk Top Publishing to be used.

Unit 2: Independent Reading (All Year)

Pupils will read a range of fiction and non-fiction texts of their own choice. Titles of completed books are recorded in English books.

Final Assessment Task: Pupils deliver a talk on a novel they have read, focusing on two aspects of the text. They write an evaluation of their own and other people's performances.

Unit 3: Drama Units: ‘Crash Landing' (7 Lessons)

Pupils explore issues raised through being stranded on a desert island.

Final Assessment Task: Assessment of one piece of drama.

Unit 3: Drama Units: Risk' (ECM) (7 Lessons)

Pupils will explore decision making in a range of contexts.

Final Assessment task: Pupils will be assessed on a presentation and written evaluation.

Unit 4: Short Stories: Another Time, Another Place (Other Cultures) (4 weeks)

Pupils will read a collection of short stories from other cultures, and times.

Final Assessment Task: Pupils are assessed on their ability to analyse the cultural elements of a short story, giving a critical response to character, themes and style.

Unit 5: Legends and Myths: Ancient and Modern (4 weeks)

Pupils will read a series of myths and discuss their meanings and impact.

Unit 6: Media Unit: Advertising or Film (6 weeks)

Pupils will look at advertising in a range of media or study Moving Image techniques.

Final Assessment Task: Pupils will analyse a film trailer or film.

Unit 7: Class Novel (6 weeks)

Pupils will read a novel chosen by their teacher There will be a range of tasks looking at the writer's craft..

Final Assessment Task: Pupils will be assessed on their ability to produce an empathetic response, based upon one of the characters in the novel.

Unit 8: Poetry – ‘Mysteries' (4 weeks)

Pupils will explore a selection of poetry based upon the theme of mystery.

Final Assessment Task: Assessment will be based upon a written analysis of a poem and their ability to write a poem of their own, using some of the techniques explored.

Unit 9: Introduction to Shakespeare (4 weeks)

Pupils will look at a range of Shakespeare extracts, focusing upon language and style.

Final Assessment Task: Pupils will be assessed on their ability to analyse a monologue, focusing on language and techniques used. They will write their own monologue using some of the skills gained.

Unit 10: Persuasive Writing: Media/ICT (3 weeks)

Pupils will look at the presentation of television and newspaper stories about a topical issue.

Final Assessment Task: Pupils will produce a persuasive leaflet, and an article making use of ICT.

Examination

Formal examination will take place at three points in the year, to assess reading and writing.

• Reading Paper – Three linked passages with questions.
• Longer Writing Task
• Shorter Writing Task

MATHEMATICS

The mathematics syllabus in Year 8 consists of a series of topics linked to four attainment targets:

Attainment Target 1 Using and Applying Mathematics

Pupils are allowed to develop their thinking and analytical skills through appropriate tasks set within the other three attainment targets.

Attainment Target 2 Number and Algebra

Pupils spend approximately two weeks studying each of the following topics : Fractions, Decimals, Percentages, Place Value and Rounding, Ratio, Negative Numbers, Sequences and Graphs, Equations, Formulae, Integers, Powers and Roots

Attainment Target 3 Shape and Space

Pupils spend approximately two weeks studying each of the following topics: Shapes and Measures, Lines and Angles, Length, Area and Volume, Co-ordinates, Transformations and Constructions.

Attainment Target 4 Handling Data

Pupils will collect data using an appropriate method such as a survey, questionnaire or internet research. They will then present their findings using suitable diagrams e.g. Pictograms, Bar Charts and Pie Charts. Finally they will analyse their results by considering the Mode, Median, Mean, Range, Pie Charts, Frequency Tables, Stem and Leaf and Scatter Diagrams.

Probability is taught as a separate topic.

Pupils are encouraged to express themselves orally, and through pencil and paper and calculator methods throughout the course.

ICT is increasingly used to enhance the study of mathematics.

A typical Year 8 mathematics lesson would consist of an oral and mental starter of 5/10 minutes, a main activity of 30/35 minutes and a plenary/summary session of 5/10 minutes. This is the format as recommended by the National Numeracy Strategy.

SCIENCE

The year is organised into six modules of work – two in each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Each module lasts either six or seven weeks.

A rota operates so that the order in which forms tackle the modules is different. The only exception to this is Chemistry 2, which all pupils study after the Whit half-term holiday.

The content of the Year 8 modules is :

Biology 1: Food and Digestion & Respiration

Biology 2: Microbes and Disease & Ecological Relationships

Chemistry 1: Elements & Compounds and Mixtures

Chemistry 2: Rocks and Weathering & The Rock Cycle*

Physics 1: Heat Energy & Magnets

Physics 2: Light & Sound

Homework

A homework of approximately 30 minutes should be set each week.

The following sorts should occur during the year:

• Learning of key facts for end of module tests/end of year exam (last week before Whit holiday)
• Answering written questions, some drawn from previous test papers.
• With prior permission from parent/guardian, carrying out simple experiments.
• Research, using any available material e.g. books &/or computer software (including the internet).
• Collecting of material for use in a subsequent lesson.

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

During this year your child will be able to experience how designers work and learn and why Technology is so relevant to our lives. Following a common design process to help solve problems they will complete projects in five different material areas.

In Resistant Materials (Woods, metals and plastics) pupils will learn about the materials they are using and the tools and skills needed to shape them. They will produce a clock.

When studying Food Technology pupils will learn about commercial food environments, nutrition and produce a number of practical outcomes including naan bread, relishes and burgers. When studying the food module pupils will be required to bring ingredients.

In Textiles pupils will use the sewing machine and basic construction techniques to produce a piece of film merchandise.

When studying Electronics they will build upon the last year's theory to develop their knowledge of the subject. They produce a printed circuit board of their own design and build a steady hand game.

In Year 8 they will study Graphics for the first time and work as a graphic designer to develop the packaging for a new chocolate bar and a point-of-sale display to promote the product.

HUMANITIES

Humanities is the umbrella term for three subjects. Geography, History and Religious Studies which are taught in separate blocks throughout Year 8

In Geography pupils study limestone scenery and issues of countryside use. Another unit of work is on Population and Development. Pupils also undertake a study of contrasts of economic development exemplified by Italy or France and Bangladesh.

In History pupils study the periods during which Britain was ruled by Tudor and Stuart monarchs. Later on in the year they study the impact of the Industrial Revolution on Britain.

ICT

Planning and creating a simple public information system, data logging and sensors, automating processes, using and displaying live data.

Searching and evaluating information on the internet for reliability, validity and bias.

Investigating models and presenting numeric data with spreadsheets.

MEDIA

Integrated into their National Curriculum ICT course, Year 8 students are offered timetabled Media lessons in the ICT suites completing a 20 hour module on multimedia production. Each student designs the graphics for a soft drink can using Paint Shop Pro then manipulates digital images of the can into an animation using Animation Shop. The resulting stills and animations are combined with digital video into an advert edited with MS Movie Maker. A soundtrack is composed using Dance eJay. Once the advert is completed, the students create a website with Macromedia Dreamweaver to promote their soft drink.

MUSIC

The course is divided into six half-term blocks. Each half term is devoted to one unit of work, which through the study of a particular topic concentrates on the National Curriculum assessment objectives of

LISTENING, COMPOSING AND PERFORMING

The topics run as follows :

VARIATIONS

Pupils discover how musical ideas can be changed to alter mood and effect

IMPROVISATION – THE BLUES

Pupils will learn to identify, explore and utilise some of the musical devices found in Jazz and Blues; learning how to manipulate the blues scale and the importance of the 12-bar blues structure

INTRODUCING ……… (Overtures)

Pupils will explore the function of an overture and using various techniques will compose one of their own.

INDIAN MUSIC

Develop ability to identify, understand, compose and perform music in the style of regional Indian music.

AFRICAN RHYTHM

Develop ability to identify, perform and create pupils' own African style dance music.

ART

During Year 8 pupils will explore a range of two and three dimensional materials and processes on a variety of scales. They will work individually and co-operatively in groups. They will be encouraged to employ their growing knowledge and understanding of art, craft and design to assist the development of their own practical outcomes. Pupils will work from natural and man-made objects and environments recording their responses, ideas and feelings in a sketchbook. They will be involved in evaluating their own work and the work of others.

Emphasis will be placed on the development of visual perception and technical skills. Pupils will be encouraged and directed towards the development of imagination and analytical abilities through working from direct observation and the interpretation of images and artefacts produced by other artists, designers and crafts people.

LANGUAGES – FRENCH & SPANISH

Pupils are broadly set in two year halves – the 8C year half has 3 sets, the 8B year half has 4 sets.

Every pupil in Year 8 will study Spanish in either week A or Week B for three half terms of the year. In the remainder of Languages time they will be taught French.

Side B have two lessons of Spanish in Week A

½ Term 1 Sets 3 + 4

½ Term 2 Sets 1 + 2

½ Term 3 Sets 3 + 4

½ Term 4 Sets 1 + 2

½ Term 5 Sets 3 + 4

½ Term 6 Sets 1 + 2

They will do three lessons of French in Week B, two lessons of Spanish in Week A

Side C two lessons of Spanish Week B

½ Term 1 Set 3

½ Term 2 Sets 1+2

½ Term 3 Set 3

½ Term 4 Sets 1+2

½ Term 5 Set 3

½ Term 6 Sets 1+2

They will do three lessons of French in Week A, two lessons of Spanish in Week B

In French the course used is Metro 1 & 2 – pupils will learn the following topics:

• Home and surrounding area
• Holidays
• Directions
• Buying a meal and snacks
• Home and leisure activities
• Routine
• Family

In Spanish the course used is Listos 1 – pupils will learn to:

• Say which nationality they are
• Describe the members of their family
• Tell the time
• Express their opinions about school and the subjects they study
• ICT is widely used in both languages.

Homework consists of 1 or 2 homeworks per week in each language.

Assessment: Metro and Listos in all skills. Attainment tests in all 4 skills at the end of each unit, combined with teacher observation of classroom and homework activities.

ECM - EVERY CHILD MATTERS

In Year 8 the programmes of study in ECM are designed to encourage the pupils to achieve the five outcomes of the ECM Agenda. These outcomes are:

• Be healthy
• Stay safe
• Enjoy and achieve through learning
• Make a positive contribution to society
• Achieve economic well-being

Topics covered include :

• Drugs, Alcohol and the Law
• Topical Research
• The Wider World
• Enterprise
• A Stable Society

An approach to helping your child spell.
This is the approach most used by staff in school.

Teach your children to learn how to spell the easy way.

If they ask for a word, write it down and encourage them to

• look at the word
• say the word correctly aloud
• cover it up
• write it down
• check if it is right

Praise their effort – if it is right encourage them to use the word frequently until they are fully confident with its spelling .

If they get it wrong – praise the effort and encourage them to practise until they get it right.

Don’t just tell them how to spell a word.  Remember

• look
• say
• cover
• write
• check

Some ideas for helping with Homeworking

Helping your children with their homework can ease their anxiety about school as well as help them to learn.

• check their homework diary each day
• negotiate a time for doing homework, eg. after tea
• decide together how much time your child can cope with spending on homework when it is set
• If they struggle with homework discuss ways of helping them with their teachers
• If they have difficulty remembering or recording homework legibily arrange with the school for someone to record it for them
• give as much help as you can but……
• don’t do the homework for them

Some hints about using the Internet and other ICT sources

Homework research using a computer

During this school year the school’s website will continue to be developed to include links from subject pages to selected websites.

The school website's address is www.chsleftwich.com.
The Subjects Index page is at www.chsleftwich.com/subjects.htm
A specially-designed Internet Search page is at www.chsleftwich.com/search.htm - it includes over 40 useful research links, and an Internet Search box.

The Subject and Search pages are routinely used on our school web browsers.

Ideally, computer-based research shouldn’t simply consist of finding a large amount of information and printing it all in full. Pupils should attempt to select the most relevant information from the pages then copy and paste it into another application such as MS Word or Notepad. Notepad is normally found in the Accessories area of your PC.

To select, copy and paste text, carefully highlight the text you want, select Edit > Copy (or Ctrl + C), then go to MS Word or Notepad and select Edit > Paste (or Ctrl + V). You may need to adjust the appearance of text copied from webpages into MS Word. If this becomes too difficult, try pasting into Notepad instead.

To select and copy images from webpages, Right Click over the image and select “Save Picture As” from the menu that appears. You can now save the image on your computer for later use. You can also copy and paste webpage images using Right Click > Copy then Edit > Paste in Word or in a graphics program. However, neither of these techniques will work on Flash or Shockwave animations, which are often found on webpages and CD-ROMs.

A third technique for copying images from your PC is to take a “screenshot” with Alt + Print Screen. This takes a snapshot of the currently open window on your screen. This snapshot is stored in the computer’s clipboard and can be retrieved with Edit > Paste in either MS Word or in a graphics program where it can be edited.

If you want to use an Internet Search Engine, the most popular one in general use is Google which is organised and maintained by specialist editors. A Google search box is included on our Internet Search page.

If you are searching a Search Engine for more than one word, remember to link them with a plus (+) sign (eg Springfield+Simpson). If you want to search for two or more words that are normally found together (like names) then use quotation marks (eg “Homer Simpson”). To find images using a search engine like Google, make sure you click the “Image” tab before entering your search words. For recent news stories about a particular topic, go to BBC News via our Internet Search page and use the search box at the top of the BBC News page.