n o 8 i r t a m Yea r o f n I t c e j Sub
Welcome I am delighted to present your guide to our Year 8 curriculum at South Hunsley School. I hope you will find it useful and informative. It is designed to help prompt and support conversations with your child about their learning throughout the year, and in particular when we send your child’s reports home in December, March and July. We have recently completed an extensive review of our Key Stage 3 curriculum, which runs through Years 7 and 8. We want to be sure students have every opportunity to build upon the excellent progress they have made in their primary schools. We are also keen to lay the strong foundations needed for the new challenges presented by revised GCSE courses which, as you may know, are now graded 9 -1 rather than A* - G. This guide outlines our ‘Big Questions’ curriculum. It sets out the syllabus for each Year 8 subject area and is intended to be a general guide, because the specific level of work and topics covered may vary between students and classes in order to ensure all students can get the most from their lessons. We hope you are able to use it as a starting point in discussing your son or daughter’s learning with them and also to provide a little more information on the content that has been assessed in our termly data reports. If you have questions about any element of this book, or our assessment and reporting systems, please visit our school website or the school VLE where you will find detailed guides. We wish all of our Year 8 students a happy and successful time at South Hunsley. Richard Williman Head of School
English (Reading) Big Questions
Knowledge and Skills
What makes a good plot?
Use quotations to support understanding
Does a comedy have to be funny?
Deduce, infer or interpret texts Examine structure and presentation of texts
Explore effects of language and grammar Do we need to understand Explain writers’ viewpoints and their effect someone’s life to understand their work? Consider social and historical contexts
English (Writing) Big Questions Should writing follow rules? How can a world be truly perfect? Does our language define us?
Knowledge and Skills Write imaginative and thoughtful texts Write texts appropriate to task, reader and purpose Organise ideas effectively Use paragraphs effectively Use sentences accurately and effectively Punctuate sentences accurately Select effective vocabulary Use correct spelling
Maths Big Questions
What is the pattern? What do I know about these angles?
Knowledge and Skills Generating terms of sequences using term-to-term nth term rule Recognise arithmetic and geometric sequences and find the nth term rule Plot and read coordinates and graphs Understand graphs written in the form y=mx+c Understand real life graphs, including VelocityTime and Distance-Time graphs Drawing and measuring of lines and angles Change freely between standard related units Use scale factors for diagrams and maps Express one quantity as a fraction of another
Use ratio notation and write a ratio in its simplest form How can this be represented as a fraction Solve problems involved with percentage increase and decrease or a ratio? Understand and use knowledge of perimeter How is the area or and area of 2D shapes, including circles and perimeter of this shape composite shapes calculated? Interpret mathematical relationships, including algebraic and geometrically Rearrange formulae to change the subject Use standard units of length, area and volume Round numbers to an appropriate degree of accuracy Understand the probability scale for words, percentages, fractions and decimals Understand all probabilities sum to 1 Use Venn diagrams including unions and What are the chances? intersections What do I know about Use sample space diagrams to generate this shape? theoretical probabilities Understand properties of triangles, quadrilaterals and circles Understand and use Pythagoras theorem
Science Big Questions What makes us who we are? (Biology)
What happens in a chemical reaction? (Chemistry) How does the world around us work? (Physics)
Knowledge and Skills The Human Body Respiration Photosynthesis Genetics Periodic Table Earth's atmosphere Chemical reactions Electricity Energy Forces and motion Seeing and hearing Magnetism
Art Big Questions Knowledge and Skills How can we record what Applying the formal elements of art we see? What can we learn from artists? How can we create a hybrid?
Use of media and artistic techniques
What makes a design success?
Focussing on how to build texture within a detailed design
How can my art be 3D? Will an animal hybrid be successful?
Putting techniques and skills into action to form a successful hybrid
Increased knowledge and experience of media Working with different materials Adopting different processes to develop a 3 dimensional hybrid Develop formal elements and transfer these into 3 dimensions
Drama Big Questions How has Commedia dell’arte influenced modern culture? How can drama be used as a tool for political change?
How can choral work impact an audience?
Knowledge and Skills Physicality Exaggeration Mime Gromalot Lazzi Forum theatre Improvisation The work of Augusto Boal Knowledge of the theatre practitioner Steven Berkoff Choral vocal work and movement Surrealism
Can theatre exist without Performing in an ‘absurd’ style meaning? Audience awareness
How can we use nonverbal communication skills to create comedy?
Mime Exaggeration Characterisation Movement Use of space Understanding the silent movie genre
Food Big Questions
Knowledge and Skills Development of practical skills Knowledge of macro and micro nutrients: What are the functions of • Carbohydrates ingredients or materials? • Protein • Vitamins • Minerals Complex practical skills and independence Developing recipe choices using cultural What factors affect food understanding and knowledge of food ingredients, choice? their properties and availability: • Cultural influences on food • Sustainable food choices
Geography Big Questions
Why are more of us living in cities?
Why are our coastlines changing?
Knowledge and Skills Describe the settlement hierarchy Explain the Burgess Model and how it relates to Hull Analyse factors affecting where new developments are built Describe the location of megacities around the world Explain the impacts of rapid urbanisation Compare the impacts of urbanisation in different cities Analyse how cities can become more sustainable Explain why the informal sector occurs Understand eustatic and isostatic change Describe and explain changes to our landscape Analyse factors that cause coastal recession Explain the impacts and responses to coastal erosion Understand and explain different coastal issues such as coastal pollution Explain the influence of coastal currents Analyse factors affecting coral reefs Understand why people are becoming environmental refugees Interpret and analyse recent events Use Geographical terminology
How is Geography affecting the world around us?
Construct judgements and conclusions Understand why people migrate Analyse factors that affect development Understand and emphasise with different points of view Understand the causes and impacts of natural hazards Analyse the issues related to reducing plastic usage
History Big Questions
Knowledge and Skills Knowledge Introduction to the UK The power of the monarchy in 1603
Was James 1st James the worst? Why did the English kill their king?
The reign of James I and his kingship qualities The Gunpowder Plot The English Civil War Execution of Charles I Oliver Cromwell The Glorious Revolution Concepts and skills Chronology Significance Causation Knowledge
How great was Great Britain in 1745-1901?
How should Britain be remembered in slavery
Industrial Revolution Child labour and the factory system Public health The greatest Victorian The British Empire Concepts and Skills Interpretation Revision Knowledge The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Life on the plantations Abolition of slavery Concepts and Skills Structure and organisation
Information Technology Big Questions
How can we make computers do what we need them to do?
How can you share information on the Internet?
Can old information create something new? How can you attract an audience?
Knowledge and Skills Develop understanding of searching and sorting algorithms Program in a visual programming environment Develop logical thinking skills by programming and controlling different sprites Create programmes using text-based programming Use a range of different programming concepts Use computers to store data and information Describe how websites can be used by different organisations Understand what constitutes as good web design and apply this to design work Create graphical elements such as logos and website banners Create a simple website using a combination of HTML and CSS Add interactive elements such as user controlled sound and video to a website Plan and design a magazine front cover and article for a chosen genre Check information sources, assessing their reliability and accuracy Use graphic editing skills such as effects, removing backgrounds and layers Plan and design an advertising campaign based on a chosen scenario Create a Flash animation for the chosen scenario Develop understanding of animation techniques such as frame by frame, classic tween and motion tween
MFL French Big Questions
How can I develop and explain my opinions? How can I form questions? How can I include a range of tenses in my work? How can I compare things? How can I add more detail to my work?
Knowledge and Skills Knowledge Free-time activities Holidays and tourist information My identity Where I live Health and fitness Skills Listen and respond to the spoken language Explore the patterns and sounds of language Engage in conversations Ask and answer questions Give opinions Develop accurate pronunciation Read and show understanding of words, phrases and simple paragraphs Write phrases from memory and adapt to create new sentences Develop vocabulary Understand and use basic grammar
MFL Spanish Big Questions
How can I form questions? How can I develop and explain my opinions? How can I compare things?
Knowledge and Skills Knowledge Where I live My life TV, film and socialising Holidays Food and shopping Skills Listen and respond to the spoken language Explore the patterns and sounds of language Engage in conversations Ask and answer questions
How do we form the past Give opinions tense? Develop accurate pronunciation Read and show understanding of words, phrases How can I add more and simple paragraphs detail to my work? Write phrases from memory and adapt to create new sentences Develop vocabulary Understand and use basic grammar
MFL German Big Questions
Knowledge and Skills Knowledge Talking about towns and countries
Why do we have different forms of ‘you’ and when do we use them?
Holidays Food and shopping After school activities Health and fitness
Skills How do we form the past Listen and respond to the spoken language tense? How can I form questions? How does German word order work? What are modal verbs and how do we use them?
Explore the patterns and sounds of language Engage in conversations Ask and answer questions Give opinions Develop accurate pronunciation Read and show understanding of words, phrases and simple paragraphs Write phrases from memory and adapt to create new sentences Develop vocabulary Understand and use basic grammar
Music Big Questions
Knowledge and Skills The historical context of Blues music How much has the slave How to play the Blues scale and chords trade influenced African Improvise 12-bar blues - American and Western Develop performing and improvisation skills in popular music? selected genres. This may include Scottish Music, Elizabethan Music and Samba Explore a variety of structures within a range How can Google of musical genres, including Scottish and Classroom help me in Elizabethan Music Music? Compose their own composition within the framework of existing structures How can Music Students further develop music technology skills Technology help me when composing music? using the music software ‘Sibelius’ and notate their composition Introduction to the ukulele and how to play simple chords What do I need to Beethoven’s 5th Symphony and Bach’s Toccata consider if I am to be and Fugue successful in learning a How to play the main themes on the keyboard and new instrument? compose a Toccata, using different compositional techniques
PE Big Questions
Knowledge and Skills Badminton: forehand, backhand, serving, positioning
How will PE improve my health and fitness? Gymnastics: Body position, gymnasts’ skills developing routines How can I challenge myself to improve?
Rock Climbing: developing a range of movements, climbing, traversing, orienteering, teamwork Fitness: my body’s abilities, warm ups and cool downs, recovery rates
Games Big Questions
How can I challenge myself to improve?
Knowledge and Skills Attacking, defending, dribbling, passing and shooting Strategies, tactics, combining skills with accuracy, control, positioning Basic team coordination skills, coaching and communicating
Can I work effectively in a team to overcome challenges?
Sports included: basketball, hockey, rugby, netball, football, volleyball Softball, rounders, cricket: showing catching, throwing, fielding and batting
Can I outwit my opponents?
Athletics: running, jumping, throwing, setting a base line and working towards personal bests Tennis: ground strokes, forehand, backhand, serving and movement around the court
Product Design Big Questions What is the impact of new technologies and components?
What is biomimicry?
Knowledge and Skills Using new technologies within manufacturing Using electronics and systems for control process Using design inspiration to create and manufacture prototypes Using professional tools and equipment The influence and impact of design influences Explore, create and evaluate as part of the design process Investigation skills to enable research and make informed decisions based on stakeholder needs
Is it sustainable?
Understand the importance of sustainable design Examine the iterative design process Develop a wide range of practical skills Manufacture more complex prototypes to communicate design ideas
RS Big Questions
Knowledge and Skills Knowledge Jewish beliefs Jewish values Jewish customs
What does it mean to be Jewish?
Do we always agree?
Who is at fault?
Jewish food laws Jewish festivals Jews and persecution (the Holocaust) Skills Identifying Jewish beliefs Explaining Jewish culture Empathy Knowledge Prejudice and discrimination and their causes Various forms of prejudice- sexism, racism, homophobia, Islamophobia etc. Peace and conflict- nationally and globally The media and conflict- how religion and groups are portrayed. How to resolve conflict in a multi-cultural society. Skills Skills Considering different view points Debating moral issues Answering/discussing challenging questions Knowledge Jewish beliefs, values, customs food laws and festivals Jews and persecution (the Holocaust) Skills Identifying Jewish beliefs Explaining Jewish culture Empathy
Textiles Big Questions
Knowledge and Skills Hand skills Decorative techniques What are the functions of Personal interpretation of needs and design ingredients or materials? Aesthetics Sustainable and environmental awareness Precision and accuracy Can textiles products Creative and functional design be both creative and Meeting a specification engineered? Ergonomics
South Hunsley School and Sixth Form College East Dale Road Melton North Ferriby HU14 3HS 01482 631208 www.southhunsley.org.uk