QMC Course Outline Booklet Year 7 2023

Course Outline

Year 7

Queen Margaret College

Year 7 Design (Technology) Programme 2023

Level 3-4 of the New Zealand Curriculum

Year 1 of the Middle Years Programme

Unit Title

Felting / Digital (First half year)

Digital/ Felting (Second half year)

Course overview

International Baccalaureate

Proposed assessment date

Criteria A and B – Term 1 Wk10

Criteria C and D – Term 2 Wk8

Criteria A and B – Term 3 Wk6

Criteria C and D – Term 4 Wk5

Technology is about making a difference in our world – through developing designs, products and systems that meet the requirements of a design brief. The design cycle is a key development process that is followed at all year levels in Technology. In the Year 7 course, students will cover two major units:

Felting: Zoo Gifts

Students will learn about felt-making traditions and processes. They will create their own felt fabric and learn how to hand-sew and embellish their materials. As part of this topic students will visit Wellington Zoo and the zoo gift shop – to develop prototype gift items that have a zoo theme.

Digital Technology

In this unit activities will include an introduction to Digital Technology at QMC and the 1:1 laptop programme, skills development, and a design project that will incorporate computational thinking and the application of a variety of digital media.

Course details:

• Each class has 5 lessons per 10 day timetable.

• Each class will rotate through the two different unit topics over the year. Each unit topic will be approximately 2 terms in length.

• Each unit topic may be taught by a different teacher in appropriate timetabled classrooms.

• There is a $30+gst consumables fee for this course. This will be charged to your school account.

• The Felting topic will incur an additional charge for use of the Wellington Zoo educational facility and bus travel to the Zoo. This will be charged to your school account.

Students may also wish to participate in extra outside the classroom STEAM challenges such as the ePRO8 Team Technology competition, Robocup, and Codeclub. Details will be published as opportunities become available during the year.

Assessment Criterion: Design MYP

Over the course of the year students will be assessed according to the following criterion. There are 4 criterion in MYP Design – all based on the Design Cycle.

Each of these criteria will be assessed once in each of the unit topics (ie twice in the year). Students will be given specific assessment schedules for these criteria at the start of each unit.

QMC Technology Safety Rules:

Student safety and wellbeing is paramount at QMC. Accordingly, no student is allowed to operate any equipment without teacher supervision and safety instruction. When using specialist equipment there are some rules to be followed:

• Tie hair back.

• No blazers on.

• Aprons to be worn.

• Safety eye-goggles on if required.

• Covered shoes / PE shoes are acceptable.

• Protective gloves to be worn if needed.

• Persons operating equipment are to be given a clear working space around them. No crowding, talking to or distracting persons operating equipment.

• Students will be supervised always by a teacher if hazardous equipment is being operated.

• Turn equipment off at the wall and unplug from the wall when finished.

• Spaces used must be vacuumed / swept clean for the next person.

Homework expectations

Your child should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects. To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Homework might include:

• Carrying out individual project - written, research or design sketching tasks.

• Attending lunchtime workshops to complete any practical work or to access extra help with practical work.

• Catching up with work not completed during class time.

• Online tutorials for keyboard and coding skill development

Head of Learning Area: Richard Knuckey

Queen Margaret College

Year 7 Drama Programme 2023

Level 2-3 of the New Zealand Curriculum

Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate

Unit Title

Drama theatre Form

Devising original drama

Drama journal

Proposed assessment date

Term 1, Week 9

Term 2, Week 6

Term 2, Week 8

Course details

The aim of the course is to introduce all students to key concepts in a practical environment. The course aims to inspire a passion for and confidence in, Drama in all students. There is a particular focus on verbal and non-verbal skills- along with small group collaborative skills and the development of independent work skills as a support to other curricular areas. Students will begin with a study of how to use techniques effectively in a performance situation and move on to creating an original performance based on a fairy-tale through a devising cycle. The final unit of the programme involves students learning strategies for creating and staging original poetry for performance.

Course Information

• Each class has 6 lessons per 10 day timetable for a half year.

• Each class will cover 3 topics over the course of the half year programme

Homework expectations

Your child should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects.

Generally written reflections will be completed in class. However, it is vital that when approaching an assessment some homework time is used to learn lines.

Teacher in Charge of Drama: Gemma Lowther

Queen Margaret College

Year 7 English Education Programme 2023

Unit Title

Unit 1 – I Am – non-fiction text study

Unit 2 – Fake News! Critical Literacy

Unit 3 – Novel study

Unit 4 – Deconstructing Disney

Course details

Proposed assessment date

Refer to assessment calendar on Managebac

Students are encouraged to develop genuine interest in literature and a confidence in reading, writing and presenting. Students read and write for a range of different purposes, developing research and presentation skills, building on their understanding of how texts are constructed and why authors create them. Students develop their written and oral communication skills using a variety of contexts and genre.

Course Information:

• Developing fundamental literacy skills is a focus throughout the whole year

• An understanding of visual literacy is developed through the study of film and storyboard development

• Creative writing skills are developed

• The skills of writing are taught by studying a range of texts

• Skills in reading comprehension and analysis are developed

• An interdisciplinary unit with the Humanities department is a focus

• Skills in constructing and delivering a monologue are developed

Homework expectations

Your child should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes per weeknight, across all subjects.

To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Homework might include:

• Completion of, or extension of, work done in class

• Reading

• Research

• Revision of material covered in class

• Written responses

• Reinforcement of fundamental literacy skills through Wordflyers subscription

Head of Learning Area: Mrs. Annabel Harris

Queen Margaret College

Year 7 Humanities (Individuals and Societies) Programme 2023

Level 4 of the New Zealand Curriculum

Year 1 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate

Unit Title

For Those Who Dare

Turangawaewae

In Our Backyard

Course details

Proposed assessment date

Term 1 Week 9

Term 2 Week 6 and 9

Term 3 Week 4 and 8

Vote for Me Term 4 Week 3

Humanities (Individuals and Societies) encourages learners to respect and understand the world around them and equips them with the necessary skills to inquire into historical, contemporary, geographical, political, social, economic, religious, technological and cultural factors that have an impact on individuals, societies and environments.

The IB’s approach to Humanities (Individuals and Societies) includes a strong focus on inquiry and investigation. Students collect, describe and analyse data used in the study of societies; they test hypotheses, and learn how to interpret increasingly complex information, including original source material. This focuses on real-world examples, research and analysis is an essential aspect of the subject group.

The study of Humanities (Individuals and Societies) helps students to develop their identities as individuals and as responsible members of local and global communities. Studies in Individuals and Societies are essential for developing empathy and international-mindedness, including the idea that “other people, with their differences, can also be right” (IB mission statement).

Course Information

• In 2023 Year 7 Humanities (Individuals and Society) is a compulsory subject.

• Each class has 7 lessons per 10 day timetable.

• Each class covers 4 units over the year.

• Each unit topic will be approximately 9 weeks in length.

• Students are assessed on 4 key skills. These skills are assessed through

o Knowing and Understanding,

o Investigating,

o Communicating

o Thinking Critically.

Homework expectations

Your child should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects. To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Homework might include:

• Completion of or extension of work done in class

• Reading

• Research

• Written responses

• Reinforcement of fundamental skills

Head of Learning Area: Adrian Hardy

Queen Margaret College

Year 7 Language Programme 2023

Level 1 New Zealand Learning Languages Curriculum

Phase 1 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate

Chinese Celebrating Chinese New Year

French Masterchef en français

Japanese Japanese anime project

Te reo Māori Give a tour through the Māori world of Mahimaina (Minecraft)

Spanish ¡ Fiesta !

There is no formal assessment in the Year 7 Carousel programme.

Queen Margaret College offers an introductory MYP language acquisition course, structured as a ‘languages carousel’. Students complete a seven-week module in each of the five languages we offer: Chinese, French, te reo Māori, Spanish and Japanese. Towards the end of the academic year, they will choose one of the languages from the carousel, with the intention of studying that language in Years 8, 9 and 10.

Course details

Through learning languages, students develop a respect for, and understanding of, diverse linguistic and cultural heritages. In each of the five carousel courses, they work on a task-based project where they begin to communicate in the target language, using vocabulary specific to the topic or situation. Each of the languages has a different theme for their project. In class, students participate in fun and challenging activities whilst practising their listening, reading, speaking and some basic writing skills. They engage in elearning, using their laptop to access various language learning resources and to record their work on OneNote. The support of our international language assistants enhances the learning experience.

Homework expectations

Your child should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects.

In the language carousel courses, your daughter may be assigned occasional homework tasks These might include:

• Short spoken presentations to practise

• Extension work

• Catching up on work missed due to absence

• Carrying out a research task on the project topic

• Cooking for the Masterchef project

Head of Learning Area: Caroline Harding

Queen Margaret College

Year 7 Mathematics 2023

Level 3-4 of the New Zealand Curriculum

Year 1 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate

Number

Problem Solving (Patterns)

Geometry and Measurement

Probability

Algebra

Graphing

Course details

The academic curriculum for Middle School mathematics at Queen Margaret College has the New Zealand Curriculum as its foundation. The mathematical content of courses and the way we measure student progress with mathematical skills is taken from the New Zealand Curriculum. The IB Middle Years Programme informs our approaches to teaching and learning and the way that students engage with the mathematical content at a particular curriculum level.

The curriculum in Year 7 is designed as a continuing mathematical step from the Primary School through the Middle School and onto the Senior School. Classes are mixed ability, and teachers differentiate learning for individual student needs.

The main topics covered throughout the year areprobability, number knowledge and skills, geometry and measurement, and algebra.

Course Information

• Mathematics is a compulsory subject in Year 7 with 7 lessons each fortnight.

• The Mathematics Help Room is staffed by teachers every week after school on Wednesdays. Students can attend to do their homework or receive some extra help.

• There will also be the opportunity to take part in the following activities and competitions:

✓ The Problem Challenge is held throughout the year (entry fee approximately $4.00). This is compulsory for Year 7 students.

✓ International Competition and Assessment for Schools (ICAS) for Mathematics (entry fee approximately $7.50).

✓ The Australian Mathematics Competition is held in August (entry fee approximately $7.50)

✓ The Kiwi Maths Competition is held in September (entry fee approximately $9.00)

• All students are registered for Education Perfect (Mathematics) as part of the Middle School EP package.

• Year 7 will receive a subscription to an electronic MYP textbook at a cost of approximately $25. This is used for classwork, homework and for independent study.

Homework expectations

Students should complete at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects

Head of Learning Area: Matthew Kavanagh

Queen Margaret College

Year 7 Music Programme 2023

Level 3-4 of the New Zealand Curriculum

Year 1 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate

Course details

The students learn:

• A basic understanding of musical elements including foundational keyboard skills

• To compose and notate their own rhythms and melodies using music software

• An overview of the history, development and identity of musical instruments from around the world through research and presentation tasks

• To read and effectively perform music on the ukulele

Course Information

• All students take Year 7 Music in 2023

• Students have 3 lessons per week for half the year

• Several extra-curricular activities are available to all students

Homework expectations

Your child should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects. The expectation in music is that most work will be completed in class. Occasionally a student will need to complete composition or research tasks at home in order to achieve at a high level.

Head of Learning Area: Tim Jenkin

Queen Margaret College

Year 7 Physical Education Programme 2023

Level 3-4 of the New Zealand Curriculum

Year 1 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate Unit Title

Invasion Games

Fitness

Term 1, Week 9

Term 2, Week 5

Dance Term 3, Week 2

Maori Games Term 3, Week 9

Striking and Fielding

* These assessment dates may be subject to slight variation

Course details

Term 4, Week 5

Students are provided with an exciting and enriched programme. The Physical Education department is committed to creating and maintaining a learning environment that recognises and acknowledges each student as having individual and metacognitive needs, by offering a high quality, broad-based curriculum. Students work cooperatively, demonstrating appropriate communication skills to achieve goals in social and competitive situations.

Students learn about:

• Their own bodies capabilities through a number of fitness activities

• Movement compositions through dance

• Encouraging personal best and cooperation in competitive games

• Identifying factors that affect performance in athletics

• Accepting individual differences and celebrating others successes in team situations

• Health topics including interpersonal skills, friendships, communication styles, bullying, and puberty.

Course Information

• In 2023 Year 7 Physical Education is a compulsory subject

• Each class has four Physical Education lessons and two Health lessons per 10 day timetable

• Correct uniform to be worn all term. Failure to do so will result in the following:

• 1st time a warning

• 2nd time a lunchtime detention

• 3rd time a Dean’s detention

Homework expectations

Your child should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects. On occasion PE homework will include:

• Extra physical tasks

• Creation of routines

• Written tasks to support practical work

Head of Learning Area: Tarron Stead

Queen Margaret College

Year 7 Science Programme 2023

Level 2 of the New Zealand Curriculum

Year 1 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate Unit Title

Becoming a Scientist

This topic assesses Criteria A and D

Magic of Science

This topic assesses Criteria B and C

Forces

This topic assesses Criteria A, B, C and D

Marine Biology

This topic assesses ATL communication, social and research skills

Astronomy

This topic assesses ATL communication, research and thinking skills

* These assessment dates may be subject to slight variation

Course details

Proposed assessment date*

Test – Week 7, Term 1

Research task – Weeks 9/10, Term 1

Investigation – Weeks 7/8, Term 2

Investigation – Weeks 5/6, Term 3

Test – Week 7, Term 3

Presentation – Week 4, Term 4

Portfolio throughout the topic during Term 4

The aim of the Year 7 Science programme is to allow students to see what it takes to become an effective Scientist and appreciate how Scientists work Students start the year off focussing on working safely and effectively in the laboratory, and learning to complete scientific experiments including how to carry out a basic scientific investigation. Students will develop their understanding of the scientific method by designing and carrying out investigations, and analysing and evaluating their results. They learn to independently research how Science affects us not only individually and locally but the Earth as a whole

Course Information

• In 2023 Year 7 Science is a compulsory subject.

• Each class has 7 lessons per 10 day timetable.

• Each class covers 5 units over the year.

• Each unit topic will be approximately 6-8 weeks in length.

• Students are assessed on 4 key skills. These are Knowledge and Understanding, Inquiring and Designing, Processing and Evaluating, and Reflecting on the Impacts of Science.

Homework expectations

Your child should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects. To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week.

Homework might include:

• Reading and researching science concepts studied in class

• Completion of assignments started in class

• Practising new skills learned in class

• Catching up on work missed due to absence

• Revising material covered in class in preparation for tests

Head of Learning Area: Rebecca Hickey

Queen Margaret College

Year 7 Visual Arts 2023

Level 3-4 of the New Zealand Curriculum

Year 1 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate Unit

Term 1 and 2

‘Nature and Flora’

INQUIRY: Drawing Fundamentals; Skills and Techniques

Intermediate observation and drawing skills

Colour theory

Experimenting with a range of medias

Students will explore their skills in final works;

Printmaking

Acrylic Painting

Photography

Term 3

Sculpture

Working in 3D

Thinking conceptually

Exploring a range of media in 3D

All Units

• Ongoing workbook exploration which includes, notes, sketches, plans, etc.

• Evaluation of own and other students’ artworks using art terms

• Discussion of artist models and artworks using appropriate art terminology

Course Information

• In 2023 Year 7 Art is a compulsory subject.

• Each class has 3 lessons per 10 day timetable.

Summative assessment at end of Term 2 and Term 3

• Each class will rotate through three different unit topics over the year.

• Students are assessed on 4 key skills. These are Knowing and Understanding , Developing Skills, Thinking Creatively, and Responding

• There is a consumables fee of $75 which will be charged to the student’s account.

Course details

The aim of this course is for students to develop an enthusiasm for and a confidence in art making, building on the skills acquired in each successive year. The Year 7 Visual Arts course is a practical course of study that introduces the students to Year 1 of the MYP framework. The artistic fundamentals that students develop form a foundation on which to build further skills and understanding of the MYP Arts Curriculum. They will be encouraged and enabled to:

• create and present art

• develop skills specific to the discipline

• engage in a process of creative exploration and (self-)discovery

• make purposeful connections between investigation and practice

• understand the relationship between art and its contexts

• respond to and reflect on art

• deepen their understanding of the world.

Homework expectations

Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects. To achieve at a high level in this subject, students may be expected to complete some work outside of class time.

This work may include:

• Completion of assignments already worked on in class

• Catching up on work missed due to absence

• Researching on the internet

• Completing a formative or summative reflection sheet that enables the student to assess her own projects

Teacher in Charge of Visual Arts: Anna Faulknor

Queen Margaret College

Year 7 Visual Arts 2023

Level 3-4 of the New Zealand Curriculum

Year 1 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate Unit

Term 1 and 2

‘Nature and Flora’

INQUIRY: Drawing Fundamentals; Skills and Techniques

Intermediate observation and drawing skills

Colour theory

Experimenting with a range of medias

Students will explore their skills in final works;

Printmaking

Acrylic Painting

Photography

Term 3

Sculpture

Working in 3D

Thinking conceptually

Exploring a range of media in 3D

All Units

• Ongoing workbook exploration which includes, notes, sketches, plans, etc.

• Evaluation of own and other students’ artworks using art terms

• Discussion of artist models and artworks using appropriate art terminology

Course Information

• In 2023 Year 7 Art is a compulsory subject.

• Each class has 3 lessons per 10 day timetable.

Summative assessment at end of Term 2 and Term 3

• Each class will rotate through three different unit topics over the year.

• Students are assessed on 4 key skills. These are Knowing and Understanding , Developing Skills, Thinking Creatively, and Responding

• There is a consumables fee of $75 which will be charged to the student’s account.

Course details

The aim of this course is for students to develop an enthusiasm for and a confidence in art making, building on the skills acquired in each successive year. The Year 7 Visual Arts course is a practical course of study that introduces the students to Year 1 of the MYP framework. The artistic fundamentals that students develop form a foundation on which to build further skills and understanding of the MYP Arts Curriculum. They will be encouraged and enabled to:

• create and present art

• develop skills specific to the discipline

• engage in a process of creative exploration and (self-)discovery

• make purposeful connections between investigation and practice

• understand the relationship between art and its contexts

• respond to and reflect on art

• deepen their understanding of the world.

Homework expectations

Your child should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects. To achieve at a high level in this subject, students may be expected to complete some work outside of class time.

This work may include:

• Completion of assignments already worked on in class

• Catching up on work missed due to absence

• Researching on the internet

• Completing a formative or summative reflection sheet that enables the student to assess her own projects

Teacher in Charge of Visual Arts: Anna Faulknor