MELS

Moral Education and Life Skills (MELS) is an essential part of modern day education. It covers content on personal wellbeing, economic well being, careers guidance, digital safety, morality and community wellbeing.

Whilst the theory is important, MELs also helps to develop skill in critical thinking, positive decision making, how and where to ask for help and how to engage positively in the world around them. Whilst this subject is not examined it is a compulsory part of UK and UAE curriculum and its importance has been highlighted in a number of educational studies including the Oxford Impact Study, 2020, by Dr Lindorff. This is one of the most robust studies into student wellbeing. The results found a clear correlation between wellbeing, which MELs promotes, and academic success.

COURSE CONTENT

As part of our commitment at BSAK to a whole school approach to wellbeing we have worked to provide a framework for MELs that runs throughout Year 7-11 giving students a chance to learn, practice and extend their own knowledge and skills based on 6 important areas: Careers, Living in the Wider World, Mental and Physical Health, Mindfulness, Relationships and Study Skills.

Linked here you are able to access information on the objectives and projects undertaken in each of the year group areas.

MELS also incorporates the UAE Federal Government's Moral Education initiative, designed to promote tolerance and instill universal principles and values shared by humanity; details of which can be found here

TOPICS

● Morality in Communities ● Governance in the UAE ● Valuing Diversity ● Dealing with Conflict

SKILLS DEVELOPED

● Positive psychology and techniques to benefit wellbeing ● Problem solving ● Critical thinking ● Resilience ● Positive decision making ● Engaging positively in the world around them

SETTING

Lessons are taught in form groups once per week.

ASSESSMENTS No formal assessment. The impact of the program is seen through the interactions, beliefs and behaviours of those in the school community. Work and reflections can be recorded in the MELS / Wellbeing Journals.

Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity, it is a subject which is held in high regard by universities all over the world.

Research suggests that a high-quality music education engages helps strengthen learning in all areas of the curriculum, as well as improving self-confidence, cognitive function and focus. Music has the potential to make a significant contribution to children’s development: developing leadership skills, team work, concentration and problem-solving skills. Year 8 Music focuses on learning to play with two hands at the piano, compose using chords and harmony and the creation of layered compositions.

COURSE CONTENT - HARMONY LAYERS Unit 1 Composing with Chords

● Learning how to play chords ● Triads/Block chords/Broken chords/Arpeggios ● The 4 Chord song ● Chord progressions ● Playing with 2 hands at a keyboard ● Layers: Melody, bass, chords ● Accompaniment patterns ● Melodic development ● Verse/chorus structure ● Ukulele chords ● Group performance of 4 chords piece ● Perform and record for assessment

Unit 2 Reggae “Sequencing Sixths”

● Melody and chordal accompaniment ● Playing “sequencing sixths in a Reggae style” ● Play melody from notation ● Layers: Melody, bass, chords ● Whole class performance ● Group performance of Sequencing Sixths ● Perform and record for assessment

Unit 3 12 Bar Blues

● The History of the Blues ● Listening to Blues music ● Developing a Blues style ● Chord riffs/Bass riffs ● Seventh Chords ● Improvisation/Blue notes ● Structure ● Group performance of ‘Jackass Blues’