ENGLISH
Year 8 will spend the first half of the term looking at Poetry for Pleasure. They will investigate the use of words in poetry and the impact they have on the meaning of a poem. Rhythm, rhyme and syllables will be studied. The second half of the term will focus on both printed and online magazines and articles with a focus on persuasive writing. Speaking and listening will be used to develop their ideas. Spelling, handwriting and phonic interventions will be offered where necessary. Library times will continue to offer dedicated reading time with one to one feedback.
MATHS
The Spring term in Year 8 sees the students learning about shopping, value for money, and Functional Skills word problems, where if necessary the staff will continue to develop basic operation and number skills. For those students that are secure with this, the teacher will differentiate the work to appropriately challenge with skills such as fractions, factors and prime numbers.
We also aim to do a whole school Mathematics project where we hold a community event to raise money for a selected charity. We are lucky enough to have double lessons once a week, which gives us a great opportunity to go out in the community and put what we have learnt in the classroom, into practice. Online independent work continues with Mangahigh.
SCIENCE
Energy at Work – In this theme we find out what is meant by energy and energy transfer. We explore how energy resources are used in power stations to generate electricity and how this effects our environment.
Life Processes – In this theme we find out about what takes place in our bodies to keep us alive. This involves finding out about breathing, circulation and the way in which our bones and muscles work when we move.
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Environmental Studies incorporates work from History, Geography and practical outdoor learning. This outdoor learning provides the students with opportunities to learn and enhance their horticultural and animal care skills.
In History, we will look closely at the effect industry has had on the environment. This year the students will be asked to consider the various impacts of cattle farming on our planet and wildlife, and what the future might look like for sustainable food production.
In Geography, we will be questioning how we can look after our environment and why it is important too. We will look closely at the effect of plastic in different environments and global environmental issues.
RELIGION AND ETHICS (R AND E)
How do religious things influence life? – Pupils will think about the qualities of a good leader and find out about some important people from the past who have stood up for their beliefs. Visitors will help pupils to consider Fair Trade and the rights and responsibilities of ourselves and of others around the world. Fairness and justice will be important things to think about this term as we also address human rights.
ART
This term pupils will be looking at Cubism and in particular the artist Picasso. Pupils will be looking at a range of drawing, painting and photography techniques and how a different viewpoint can create an exciting change to a picture. The challenge will be to show 3D objects in a 2D form and explore how to create the abstracted cubist style.
DESIGN CRAFTS
During the spring term, Design Crafts students will have the opportunity to take part in a cross curricular project with the Dance and Drama department. After an initial research phase, students will co-create a range of Props, costumes and scenery that they will wear for an in-school performance.
Year 8 students will be developing their research and presentation skills through the creation of mood boards and opportunities to present their ideas and designs to their peers and staff. Students will engage with their set brief to design and crate a range of wearable accessories that are linked to their roles in the performance.
MUSIC
Musical Pattern – Pupils will be looking at simple musical form and pattern in music – some of it quite loud! They will be able to compose their own music and experiment with instruments. Singing will include rounds and pupils will accompany themselves with untuned instruments. Key words will be dynamics, tempo and rhythm and pupils will work towards a class performance at the end of term.
DANCE
Dance from around the world – This term, pupils will explore different dance styles from around the world such as Gumboot dancing and Bollywood. Building on the key words learnt last term: Action, Space, Dynamics and Relationship, to create and choreography their own routines to perform.
PE
During this term pupils will be developing their social interactions and risk taking through invasion games and paired and grouped activities in gymnastics. During invasion games pupils will be encouraged to recognise and exploit opponent weaknesses and develop their tactical understanding. Trust activities will feature prominently within gymnastics as supported balances are explored through floor and apparatus work.
SOCIAL SKILLS
Lessons will be delivered on a rotation of theory, discussion/circle time, and practical activities to allow for learning and practice During the second term pupils will be developing their self-management skills. Pupils will develop a greater understanding for their thoughts, feelings and behaviours and how to manage these in different scenarios and with a variety of coping skills. Pupils will then begin to develop their social awareness by challenging their social communication skills and exploring and accepting others’ perspectives.
PSHE
Growing up, changes: Pupils will be considering physical and emotional changes that they experience in puberty and how these can be managed, discussing issues in a sensitive way. They will find out how important hygiene is at this time, looking at the many products that are available. Pupils will talk about special relationships and marriage, find out how a baby is conceived and watch its development, using special pictures and film clips to help understanding.
HOME ECONOMICS
In Home Economics the pupils will focus on basic cooking and food preparation skills. Pupils will learn how to work safely in the kitchen as well as developing, an understanding of what Home Economics is and learn the important hygiene and healthy eating rules. They will learn about basic nutrition and the importance of a balanced diet. Pupils will cook a wide range of dishes from a variety of simple recipes. Pupils will gain independence in the kitchen and begin to discuss the skills they are learning.
Pupils will gain a better understanding of where our food comes from, and how it is produced. We will be focussing on how this helps them to make more informed choices about their diet. Pupils will follow a project on ‘lunches’, enabling them to make hand held snack foods that are both sweet and savoury.
FOREST SCHOOL
The pupils working in Forest School will be outside in the woodland area having a hands-on opportunity to learn about the natural environment through directed tasks and exploration. They will be guided to use their own initiative to solve problems and cooperate with others. The students will be given a large amount of freedom in their learning.
In Year 8 pupils will continue to develop and build their relationships with each other and the natural environment. Team work and co-operation continue to be the main focus. Alongside this the students will also be introduced to using tools such as knives, loppers and saws.