‘Since after extinction no one will be present to take responsibility, we have to take full responsibility now.’ Jonathan Schell
We are increasingly seeing appeals on television and on the internet encouraging us to act before ‘extinction’ effects whole populations, cultures and species of animals. But what is extinction and what does it mean to you, and for you? What does it mean when a culture or species changes or vanishes from the Earth? This half term you will be learning about the causes of extinction and the impact that it has on the global community. You will consider how we might act to prevent extinction occurring and what people have done in the past, and are doing in the present to ensure that people, cultures and species at risk of extinction are protected. By the end of this half term you will either have taken up the challenge offered by the humanities department to produce a report based on St Francis of Assisi or have submitted a piece of work directly to Mrs. Di Vito in a bid to become the Project Learning Champion of the half term. Are you a potential Project Learning Champion? Have you immersed yourself within learning? Are you an original thinker who is prepared to grab every opportunity that is offered to you? Are you a determined and successful learner? If so, this is your opportunity to demonstrate all of these amazing learner attributes and submit a piece of work that summarises your findings from the entire project. You might: Create a piece of art that illustrates the impact of extinction upon the world. Produce a magazine spread informing teenagers of the immediate issues facing species and cultures on the brink of extinction. Use your persuasive powers to write a speech encouraging the Principal and the board of governors to support a charity involved in protecting a species or group of people against extinction.
Humanities In Humanities you will be looking at the death of one way of life in Britain and the emergence of another. You will investigate the industrialisation of Britain through the killings of Jack the Ripper, and how London became an easy killing ground because of overpopulation and migration into the cities. In religious studies you will consider the ethics surrounding the issue of animal rights and study it in relation to endangered species and how Christians seek to improve the life of animals. In Geography you will investigate the death of mapping and the emergence of GIS as a tool for navigation. Core Independent Learning Produce a report based on St Francis of Assisi. Use links from TGI space to help you with the research. You will be provided with a writing template to help you to cover key themes. This will also be available on TGI space for students to work from. Extended Independent Learning Bring your report on St Francis of Assisi up to date by including information on the ways that his works are replicated in modern society. Research ASAW and find out what they are doing to protect animals rights? You may wish to reflect and consider ‘how does this charity follow Christian teaching’? Period 6 opportunities Humanities club will be running through Period 6 to assist and aid the completion of your St Francis Assisi report.
English This half term you will explore the American Indian Proverb ‘The Last Tree’ from both a dramatic and linguistic perspective. You will create a poem with an environmental theme of your own, which you will perform. You will go on to investigate persuasive writing techniques, which you will use to create a campaign encouraging the population to support the charity which has been set up to save the fictional creature the ‘Maloompa’ from extinction. Core Independent Learning Week commencing 10th September: Find at least one poem or song with an environmental message. Week commencing 17th September: Research an endangered animal. Find out at least five facts about it and bring in an image Week commencing 3rd October: Write a sales pitch, making effective use of persuasive features, that will persuade the judges on Dragon’s Den to back and develop your invention. Extended Independent Learning Develop your understanding of the fantasy genre by reading ‘0.4’ by Robert Lancaster. Ask your English teacher for a work pack to support your reading of this fantastic novel. Period 6 opportunities Have you enjoyed reading ‘0.4’ by Robert Lancaster? Come to book club to discuss your opinions on the novel. Please bring your books to the first meeting on Wednesday 21st September in B2. This half term’s challenge is to write a review for the ‘TGI book blog’ for your chance to win a book token to fund your next novel for book club.
Mathematics In maths you will be looking at significant figures, estimation and the plotting of co-ordinates. In the launch lesson for the Extinction project Humanities and Maths will be working together with Year 8 to complete some challenges. You will be looking at how Britain, although mired in squalor, ran the world and you will investigate the places around the Globe where Britain ruled and governed. You will go on to investigate migration figures, which will begin to give some background information about how London became so crowded. This population boom created a squalor of housing, noise and smog, which gave a mysterious man the opportunity to kill in particularly gruesome ways. Core Independent Learning Core independent learning tasks will be set on a weekly basis by each individual classroom teacher Period 6 opportunities Middle years maths club – Wednesday 3-4pm
Science You will start the term exploring the science behind inheritance. Through this study you be able to explain the importance of DNA, which characteristics are inherited and which are determined by environment. You will go on to investigate what happens when genes become mutated and cause genetic disorders; you will see how people suffering from the disease live their lives and if there are any genetic mutations that could be beneficial to a population. During the second part of this project you will research varying extinct species such as the dinosaurs, woolly mammoth and the dodo. You will investigate the physical characteristics and behaviour of these animals and explore what led to their extinction. Finally you will delve into Darwin’s theory of evolution and survival of the fittest and compare them to the theory of creationism. Core Independent Learning Research and present findings in a portfolio entitled ‘GENES, EXTINCTION and EVOLUTION’ Week commencing 10th September Research the genetic disorder sickle cell anaemia. You should produce a poster describing the disease: symptoms, treatments, major countries affected by it, possible benefits from carrying the disease. Week commencing 17th September Research the sabre tooth tiger. You must produce a poster with a diagram of a sabre tooth tiger which has labels identifying its characteristics, both physical and behavioural. You may wish to link a possible theory of extinction to the sabre tooth tiger and explain your reasoning. Week commencing 3rd October Produce a timeline for the life of Charles Darwin and describe the events that lead to him coming up with his theory of evolution. You may wish to explore the reasons why people were so against his theory when he first published it. Period 6 opportunities Explore the possible theories of mass extinction and discuss with teacher and other students which theories have most merit at Science club.
German This half term you will research an endangered animal and present your research in German to your class. Your presentation will include a description of the animal and its habits and habitat. You will need to apply patterns for adjectives and key verbs. For the best results you will demonstrate the use of a variety of tenses. Presentations may be supported by “Powerpoint” or “Prezzi”. Core Independent Learning Week commencing 12th September Memorise German colours and other key adjectives for describing animals. Week commencing 19th September Adapt a model text to describe some of the key habits of your chosen animal. Week commencing 26th September Research your chosen animal. Adapt texts studied in class to present your research in German. Week commencing 10th October Learn your commentary. Rehearse your presentation. You will be making your presentation with only a single word prompt for each slide. Extended Independent Learning Extend your knowledge of German colours, adjectives and animals by visiting http://www.atantot-extra. co.uk/ and playing the games alone or with a partner. Period 6 opportunities Having problems? Want to go further with your research or language? Help is available on Tuesdays from 20th September P13.
PE Survival of the fittest You will be able to identify generic traits of successful athletes and understand how these can help to develop a sporting performance. You will be able to explain how specific components of fitness can be used to enhance performance. There will be the opportunity to analyse your own and others work and give suggestions for improvement. Extended Independent Learning Students could watch high level professional sports performances on TV or the internet and highlight when specific components of fitness are needed. They can also gain a greater understanding of what makes a good performance. You may wish to present these findings in a poster or report. Period 6 opportunities Attending extra curricular clubs Participating in the College Challenges.
Performing Arts You will be exploring the American Indian proverb ‘The Last Tree’. The proverb explores the vulnerability of the planet and we will use it to look at deforestation in the Amazonian rain forests. You will work in drama and music to prepare a piece of performance that raises awareness of the issue. Through this you will develop choral singing skills and rehearse a piece of music which will complement the drama. Core Independent Learning You are required to practise the song and learn their lyrics in preparation for performance. You will also need to practice your performance and gather any costumes or props that may be required for the performance. Extended Independent Learning You can improve the quality of your devised piece through independent research into deforestation and the plight of the rainforest. You can also attend choir rehearsals to improve your vocal skills and develop the ability to harmonise. Period 6 opportunities You may wish to attend workshops which will teach you how to use a computer program called ‘Garageband’. The program allows you to compose and sequence your own music. You will use this to create a charity song to raise money for ‘International Rainforest Week’ (10th – 16th October). Entries will be submitted into an Academy competition and the winning track will be produced and packaged. Visitors/Visits this half term: The winners of the ‘International Rainforest Week’ competition will be taken to a recording studio to mix their final track.
Art This half term you will develop a knowledge of ancient cultures and produce a visual fact sheet on the culture which you have chosen to study in depth. The cultures include Aboriginal, Egyptian, Islamic, Mayan, Celtic. Core Independent Learning Week commencing 12th September: Produce a decorated acrostic poem based on culture being studied. Week commencing 26th September: Produce a wordsearch of key art culture words Extended Independent Learning You can complete further research on the culture being studied by producing an informative and colourful presentation, in the format of your choice.
What have you learnt this half term?
You will have been given targets in all curriculum areas, what are you main areas for development?