Varndean School

Year 8 Curriculum

Year 8 Curriculum

Index
Page
Art & Design Dance Design & Technology Drama English French Geography History ICT Mathematics Music Physical Education Religious Studies Science 3 4 5 8 9 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Page 2 of 20

Year 8 Curriculum

ART & DESIGN

Key topics
Autumn term: Shared View

Key skills developed

Possible range of Art skills explored: Observational Drawing, Painting (mixed media), Sculpture, Printmaking, Digital Applications. Exploring visual elements: Pattern repeats, colour, symmetry, structure

Spring term: Objects and Viewpoints

Possible range of Art skills explored: Observational Drawing, Painting (mixed media), Sculpture, Printmaking, Digital Applications. Exploring visual elements: Observational drawing, proportion, scale, tone, shape, form, positive & negative space, viewfinders.

Summer term: Animating Art

Possible range of Art skills explored: Observational Drawing, Painting (mixed media), Sculpture, Printmaking, Digital Applications. Exploring visual elements: Colour, 3D perspective, scale, movement, viewpoints.

Homework could take the form of: Autumn term Spring term Project style homework based on theme of: Shared View. Project style homework based on theme of: Objects and Viewpoints. Project style homework based on theme of: Animating Art.

Summer term -

Suggestions for additional independent study - Visit local museums and galleries. Draw from observation or imagination. Autumn term Summer term Explore variety of alternative cultures from other countries. Look more in-depth at comic book art. Make your own comic book/cartoon.

Page 3 of 20

Year 8 Curriculum

DANCE
Key topics
Autumn term: Using Masks in choreography

Key skills developed

How to use tableau with transitions Developing knowledge and implementation of dynamics in choreography Formations Performance and appreciation

Spring term: Developing props in dance Hats

Developing dance technique in the style of smooth criminal Michael Jackson Learning how to use music effectively in dance choreography Further development of formation and dynamics Using accumulation Developing relationships in form of canon, unison solo duet and trio work Performance and appreciation

Summer term: Bollywood using a different technique of dance to create movement Car man by Matthew Bourne

Developing style musicality and expression on dance Learning about motif development Further development of formations and dynamics Students to learn to take principal roles in the performance Using a professional dance work to inspire choreography developing a narrative structure through dance Looking at gesture and physical theatre

Suggestions for additional independent study Autumn term Research commedia del arte Participation in contemporary dance club/company Research of Michael Jackson style and technique Street dance classes/clubs through extra curricular dance Research style of Bollywood Research Matthew Bournes professional dance Carman

Spring term

Summer term

Page 4 of 20

Year 8 Curriculum

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY Designing for a Client Students are rotated around the six technology modules over the course of the year (not necessarily in this order). Key topics
Autumn term: FastFood blast Design a range of fast food products which use quality ingredients and provide enough nutrition for an athlete to complete an Ironman race.

Key skills developed

Students consider that fast food need not be unhealthy or uncreative. They are encouraged to explore and understand basic scientific principles of cooking during practical lessons. Students investigate means of increasing and identifying key nutrients required in the diet for extreme endurance events, like the Hawaii Ironman race.

Plastic Fantastic Design and make an acrylic formed mobile phone or ipod holder.

This project is aimed at developing knowledge of plastics and how to accurately and effectively work with them. Students will research and develop their knowledge of phone and i-pod holders already on the market. They will also learn about the main types of plastic, and how they vary from one another. After learning to draw in isometric, students produce design ideas to meet a detailed specification. One will be developed, and used to cover a variety of processes to produce a quality finished product. Students will be assessed on their understanding and use, of materials and equipment, and on quality of finishing.

Spring term: Zip it Up Design and make a pop art inspired pencil case.

During this Textiles project students will be introduced to appliqu which will be incorporated into the theme of Pop Art. Students will produce a pop art inspired pencil case, from initially choosing a client group through to the finished product, using a variety of production techniques in the process.

Battle of the Bands Form your own band, design and make your own band identity and CD case

Within this project students will create material that will promote a band of their own choice. Students will be able to choose their own band, including name, genre and imagery. They will then learn many techniques used in graphics including the use of fonts, layering, and using textures. The products they will produce will be advertising for the band, imagery including logos, a CD case and a CD insert. They will use the following software to complete all of these tasks and learn techniques for each different software, paint.net, 2D design and Publisher as well as using some online resources.

Page 5 of 20

Year 8 Curriculum

(Design & Technology continued) Summer term: Get Smart Design and make a battery tester using smart materials.

Students will learn how smart materials can have an effect on how we develop different products. They will explore how previous products have been made in the past as well as similar products to the one they will be making. Students will explore and experiment with different ideas, materials and technologies. They will learn how to make use of analysis they carry out and how to develop their own ideas by using and understanding of others designing. They will also have to plan and organise their own activities to complete their own tasks to become effective learners.

Just in time Design and make a unique clock out of aluminium

Students learn about a variety of metals, their properties and characteristics. How to successfully identify them and cut and shape them safely. Students look at what ferrous and non-ferrous is and how it changes the properties? What a pure metal and alloy is and how are they identified. How is metal finished treated and joined.

Homework could take the form of: Autumn term Fast Food blast - Investigating two popular fast food chains on the high street and compare them using a variety of criteria. Work can be presented using PC programs or just by hand using collages and drawings etc. - anything goes. Plastic Fantastic - Producing a presentation: Research a variety of mobile or i-pod storage units, considering units made from different materials, shapes, sizes etc. Requirements: images, annotation, colour, good quality presentation. Hard copies for assessment. Spring term Zip it Up - Researching and writing about: The origins of Pop Art Richard Hamiltons Painting American Pop Art / Name the artists involved such as Andy Warhol Roy Lichtenstein and his work. Describe it and include pictures The differences and similarities between British and American Pop Art How do you think it differs with the contemporary art of today? Tracy Emin? useful websites: www.absolutearts.com

www.arthistoryarchive.com

www.popartpictures

Battle of the Bands - Researching existing CD designs and analysing their findings, finding textures that could be used on their own CDs and taking photographs of their own to be included in their projects. Summer term Get Smart - Investigating ways batteries can harm the environment if not disposed of properly. Creating a list of ways batteries can harm the environment and explain each point. Choose an alternative eco-friendly source of energy and explain why this could be better for the environment than buying batteries, using them and throwing them away. Just in time - Research into different materials and their properties The process of riveting and joining metal Planning of the making process including timings and equipment

Page 6 of 20

Year 8 Curriculum

(Design & Technology continued) Suggestions for additional independent study Autumn term FastFood blast - Research the menu of famous fast food chains. Look into healthier options for snack foods, what is healthy and what just looks healthy? Research famous athletes and their training programmes, what do they eat? Plastic Fantastic - Research different types of plastics and how they are manufactured. The raw materials that plastic is made from. What alternatives are available? Spring term Zip it Up - How felt is made Different surface decoration techniques i.e. Appliqu. Tie die. Batik. Embroidery. Stencil printing. Battle of the Bands - Nets and packaging. Practicing with computer graphics packages, such as paint.net Typography Summer term Get smart - Investigate other smart materials and their uses. Research other products which use thermo chromic properties. Just in time - Industrial metalworking processes: Casting Smelting Braising Welding Unique ways to represent numbers on a clock face

Page 7 of 20

Year 8 Curriculum

DRAMA
Key topics Key skills developed

1. Mask, Move, Mime 2. Quest 3. Ageism 4. A case for Murder 5. Godot 6. Teen issues 7. More mask

Group work Voice and movement Techniques, form and structure Evaluation

Still imageHot-seating Mime Facial expressionBody language Narrating Mask Thought-trackScript work Staging Cross cutting Marking the moment

PLTS Creative Thinking Time management Independent learning Team work Reflective learners

Homework could take the form of: Research drama texts, script writing, line learning

Suggestions for additional independent study - Theatre visits, various educational websites eg Bitesize, all aspects of school productions.

Page 8 of 20

Year 8 Curriculum

ENGLISH
Key topics
Autumn term: Prose Study: Stone Cold or Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Key skills developed

Creative writing exploring characterisation, plot and writers craft. A range of activities intended to encourage active reading and develop reading skills. Reading for meaning. Infer and deducing. Selecting evidence and using quotes. Identifying and using the conventions of various nonfiction styles of writing: formal letter writing, speech writing, newspaper articles and speeches. Identifying and using subordinate clauses, complex sentences. Identifying and using subordinate clauses, complex sentences, commas, apostrophes, semi-colons and connectives. Understand and use topic and supporting sentences in paragraphs Using varied and ambitious vocabulary

Non-fiction: Snodgrass

Or Journeys

Spring term: Poetry

Identification and use of the following techniques: simile, metaphor, personification, rhyming schemes and onomatopoeia. Creative writing using varied vocabulary and the senses to add vivid descriptions. Identifying and using the conventions of various nonfiction styles of writing: formal letter writing, report writing. Revise and consolidate use of apostrophes and root words.

Shakespeare: Hamlet

Summer term: Drama: The Play of Room 13

Reading for meaning. Infer and deducing. Selecting evidence and using quotes. Responding in detail to questions about a text. Understanding character, plot and themes.

Page 9 of 20

Year 8 Curriculum

(English continued) Homework could take the form of: Autumn term Research into the social and historical context of the novel. Creative writing in role as characters from the novel. Research into 1960s civil rights movement and Protest songs. Redrafting different writing styles. Creating non-fiction leaflets and poetry. Write a formal letter of compliant. Write about your dream holiday destination using varied vocabulary Spring term Creating poems using the poetic techniques they have studied in the lesson. Research into the social and historical context of the play. Research the word origins of selected glossary words from the play. Redrafting written reports using the correct conventions. Summer term Research leaflet on Dracula. Research into the social and historical context of the play.

Suggestions for additional independent study Autumn term Read other novels by the same author, or covering the same genre and themes. Read a variety of persuasive speeches from Winston Churchill to Barrack Obama. Read a variety of non-fiction texts e.g. autobiography and tourist leaflets. Read any travel writing articles e.g. Bill Bryson. Read newspaper articles and identify subordinate clauses and connectives. Spring term Reading a variety of poetry, including pre-1914 poetry. Watch the film versions of the play. Reading other Shakespeare plays or poetry. Summer term Read Dracula and other gothic genre novels.

Page 10 of 20

Year 8 Curriculum

FRENCH
Key topics
Autumn term: Describing the neighbourhood. Meeting people and knowing what to say. Means of transport. Asking for and giving directions. Describing people (physical appearance). Past weekend activities. Achievements of famous people. The role of the French Resistance during the Second World War.

Key skills developed

Using a bilingual dictionary. Formal and informal language.

Workbook: Keeping a record of new language. Speaking strategies. Conversation tips. Improving what you say. Workbook: Reading strategies. Coping with high numbers in listening activities. Copymaster: Word order and sentence building.

Spring term: Describing a day out. Finding out about a visit to a French theme park. Countries and cities. Describing past holidays. Opinions of clothes (including colours and styles). Talking about favourite looks. Shopping for clothes. Childhood crazes.

Words that have different meanings in different contexts. Reading strategies.

Workbook: Looking up verb forms in a dictionary. Mnemonics. Copymaster: Cognates, near-cognates. Ways to remember new words. Learning the gender of new nouns. Using clues to work out the gender of nouns. Workbook: Note-taking when listening. Adapting a text.

Summer term: Sport and a healthy lifestyle Body and sports. Talking about sports and how often/when you do them. Daily routine and healthy lifestyle. Profile of a French sporting champion. Ailments and injuries. Talking about leisure activities. Pocket money and spending habits. Friendship and relationships. Organising an event.

Asking questions

Workbook: Why word-for-word translations dont always work. Where to find help with learning French, e.g. peer support, reference materials. Sentence building. Improving written work. Workbook: Improving spoken work. Using knowledge of grammar to help understand texts.

Page 11 of 20

Year 8 Curriculum

(French continued)

Homework could take the form of: Worksheets from www.linguascope.com Autumn term Spring term En solo Clic homework booklet Unit 1 and 2. En solo Clic homework booklet Unit 3 and 4. En solo Clic homework booklet Unit 5 and 6

Summer term -

Suggestions for additional independent study - Revise vocabulary on topics studied in class on www.linguascope.com
Username: Varndean Password: MFL

Page 12 of 20

Year 8 Curriculum

GEOGRAPHY
Key topics
Autumn term: 1. Environmental Damage 2. Population, Migration, Refugees

Key skills developed

Spring term: 3. Ecosystems: Rainforests 4. H2O

Learning from a range of resources (including internet, video, DVD, smart board, worksheets, text books, teacher delivery). Students will be teacher assessed as well as practising skills of peer and self assessment. Students will also take part in critical skills, enquiry based investigation and online research. They will work individually, in pairs and part of a group.

Summer term: 5. Tourism

In addition to the above, there will also be an opportunity to conduct off site fieldwork.

Homework could take the form of: Autumn term Environmental Damage: Household waste and recycling An investigation into how much is recycled at home by students. They must tally the different things that they recycle and find out what happens to it. Rainforests Project: Task 1: Where are rainforests found? Map and explanation. Task 2: Why are they so special? Identification and explanation of chosen animals. Identification and explanation groups of people who live in the Rainforests. Task 3: What damage is being done? Effects and implications of deforestation.

Spring term

Suggestions for additional independent study - The school library stocks a wealth of books on all topics we study. Autumn term Recycling information: http://www.recyclenow.com/ http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk/ BBC refugee: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/world/2001/road_to_refuge/ Spring term Amazon- Bruce Parry: http://www.bbc.co.uk/amazon/ Human Planet: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00llpvp Tourism: http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/schools/11_16/ks3geography/swf/tourism/intro.shtml http://www.visitbrighton.com/

Summer term

Page 13 of 20

Year 8 Curriculum

HISTORY
Key topics
Module 1 The Making of the United Kingdom British History 1500-1750 Reformation Bloody Mary Spanish Armada

Key skills developed

Throughout the year, students will develop key skills as a Historian. This year we are piloting a new initiative called What makes a good Historian and we will be asking students to assess their progress against the following criteria. Historians always explain their ideas fully.

Module 2 Slavery & Black Americans fight for freedom and equality. Key questions. What was the experience of slaves taken from Africa to the USA? Why did Slavery end? Did abolition mean equality for black Americans? Module 3 Britain 1750-1900 Key questions. How and why did Britain change 1750-1900? Was it dangerous living in Victorian towns 1750-1900? Why did Jack the Ripper promote social change in Victorian London?

Historians always organise their ideas well and reach a conclusion to sum up their ideas. Historians start with an open mind, they are good at persuading people of their point of view by backing up their ideas with evidence. Historians find evidence to answer the questions they want answered, they select the evidence that is most helpful. Historians use the full range of evidence including photos, artefacts and peoples memories. Historians are good at working out who can be trusted and can explain why some evidence is biased. Historians are accurate they use key words, dates and details to help describe what life was like in the past.

Homework could take the form of: Module 1 Newspaper report on the Spanish Armada. Teachers may set smaller pieces of research homework for each topic. Project on Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Project on the History of Brighton 1750-1900.

Module 2 Module 3

Suggestions for additional independent study - Students can access a range of clips at our two youtube channels. www.youtube.com/mrae22 and www.youtube.com/sandrakinghts 66 The school library stocks a wealth of books on all topics we study.

Page 14 of 20

Year 8 Curriculum

ICT
Key topics
Autumn term: Internet Research Spreadsheet Database Presentation software

Key skills developed

Internet research Formatting, Formula, Graphs Create a Table, Import/Enter data, Search Advanced Action settings, game development

Spring term: Website Design School Show documents Further Spreadsheets Video Editing

Planning, Linking, Enhancing, professional features, embedding video. Team work, features expected, time management. Conditional Formatting, Validation, Formula Crop, Transition, Audio control, Effects

Summer term: Flash Animation Drawing accurately in 2D and 3D Computer Control Preparing for GCSE

Shape/Motion Tween, Keyframing, Layers, Scale, Dimension, Measuring, repeating patterns, scene-scene animation. Flow charts, control language, testing Understand SPB, Research, Planning

Homework could take the form of: Autumn term Spring term Homework booklet researching theme parks use of data. Homework booklet comparing websites built for different audiences. Homework booklet wireless technology

Summer term -

Suggestions for additional independent study - Reading ICT news on www.bbc.co.uk Practicing theory games on Flipper

Page 15 of 20

Year 8 Curriculum

MATHEMATICS
Key topics
Autumn term: Symbols. Indices and standard form. Geometrical reasoning. Calculations (negative numbers and rounding). Averages. Sequences. Move between the general and particular to test the logic of an argument. Manipulate algebraic expressions. Estimate, approximate and check working. Conjecture and generalise. Evaluate the efficiency of alternative strategies and approaches.

Key skills developed

Spring term: Volume and surface area. Probability. Calculating with fractions and decimals. Equations and formulae. Manipulate algebraic equations. Refine findings and approaches on the basis of discussions with others.

Summer term: Ratio and proportion. Enlargement and scale drawing. Functions and Graphs. Collecting, representing and interpreting data. Visualise and manipulate dynamic images. Compare mathematical representations. Make connections with related contexts

Homework could take the form of: Short investigative tasks. Research into a topic. Mymaths.co.uk tasks.

Suggestions for additional independent study - mymaths.co.uk (Booster packs). Manga High website. BBC Bitesize. SAM Learning.

Page 16 of 20

Year 8 Curriculum

MUSIC
Key topics
Autumn term: Intervals and Horror music Blues

Key skills developed

Knowledge of the space between two notes Basic music technology skills Exploration of texture Relationship between music and visual elements

Spring term: Rock and Roll

Basic chord progressions Composition rules surrounding genres - Chord progressions, bass lines etc Extended instrumental skills Ensemble skills Musical history

Extended chord progressions Composition rules surrounding genres - Chord progressions, bass lines etc Extended instrumental skills Ensemble skills

Ground Bass and Remixing

Understanding of western classical styles Advanced use of music technology Exploration of texture (layers of music)

Summer term: Songwriting

Extended compositional skills Developed knowledge of the structure of music Peer appraisal Group work skills Self management

Homework could take the form of: Autumn term Spring term Extended project based on Film Music Extended project based on 1960s 70s music Research surrounding various forms of song writing

Summer term -

Suggestions for additional independent study Students may wish to listen to further examples of music from the topic being studied. This will broaden and deepen the students knowledge for the subject matter whilst developing listening skills.

Page 17 of 20

Year 8 Curriculum

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Key topics
Autumn term & Spring term: Performance Groups Boys Outwitting opponents: Rugby Football Hockey Swimming Movement Problem solving

Key skills developed

Ruck, Maul, Distribution skills Dribbling/Running with the ball Dribble & control a ball in a variety of game situations Personal Survival, Water Confidence skills, Life saving skills Adapt and develop skills to suit group sequences and contact balances. Map skills, route planning, scale The use of the running pass to extend the footwork rule. Dribble & control a ball in a variety of game situations. Dribbling/Running with the ball. Adapt and develop skills to suit group sequences and contact balances. Personal Survival, Water Confidence skills, Life Saving skills. Map skills, route planning, scale Types of training. Compass skills, teamwork, pacing. Personal Survival, Water Confidence skills, Life Saving skills. Adapt and develop skills to suit group sequences and contact balances. Movement with the ball.

Girls Outwitting opponents Netball Hockey Football Movement Swimming

Mixed gender groups Fitness Problem Solving Water-based activities Movement Outwitting opponents

Summer term: Athletics. Striking and Fielding.

Running, jumping, throwing skills. Bowling and hitting Students are encouraged to look at theirs and others performance. They develop their analytical skills in describing not only strengths but a weakness and how to overcome this

Homework could take the form of: Students are encouraged to attend extra- curricular activities as a means of developing better knowledge and understanding of activities.

Page 18 of 20

Year 8 Curriculum

RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Key topics
Autumn term: Rites of Passage

Key skills developed

Empathy Enquiry Group work Peer assessment Explanation skills Empathy Enquiry Questioning Skills Evaluation

Hinduism

Spring term: Judaism

Critical Skills Enquiry Reflection Empathy Stilling Reflection Mindfulness

Buddhism

Summer term: Rastafarianism

Empathy Historical enquiry Protest Art appreciation Cultural appreciation

Religion and the Arts Looking at the role of Art / Music and Drama in Religious Studies Homework could take the form of: Autumn term Design a wedding ceremony Researching the history of Protest. Designing own protest. See History. See Geography.

Spring term

Summer term -

Research into an unusual religion. Project looking at the lives of some famous Rastafarians

Suggestions for additional independent study Autumn term Research origins of your name. Research death customs in different religions. Investigate the Life of Ghandi. Research the origin of Judaism. The History of Jewish Festivals. Visit to a Buddhist Centre. Research into the different types of Buddhism. Black Civil Rights Movement. Links to Martin Luther King. Visit to Tate Britain. Tate Britain Website.
Page 19 of 20

Spring term

Summer term

Year 8 Curriculum

SCIENCE
Key topics
Autumn term: Ecological relationships, Atoms and elements, Compounds and mixtures, Light.

Key skills developed

Observing, collecting evidence and analysing results. Evaluating practical methods. Communication and collaboration

Spring term: Alive and Kicking Making better lifestyle choices for yourself - Cells, respiration, microbes and disease, food and digestion, causes of behaviour.

Working with evidence, variables.

Summer term: Nviv An energy entrepreneur designing carbon zero houses - Energy resources and climate change. Catastrophe A geologist trying to save people from volcanic eruptions - Changing earth rocks, the rock cycle. Sound.

Decision making. Collaboration. Working with evidence, variables

Homework could take the form of: Homework of an appropriate length will be set weekly or fortnightly depending on the task. The homework tasks will vary throughout each unit studied. They will include research activities, worksheets, report completion, practical activities and drawing graphs.

Suggestions for additional independent study Use websites such as bbcbitesize to revise the scientific topics covered and carry out short tests.

Autumn term & Spring term

Visit the Natural History museum or Science museum in London. Go to the library and get a book out on the key topic. With appropriate supervision use science kits to explore the topic further. Visit the Natural History museum (very good geology section) or Science museum in London. Go to the library and get a book out on the key topic. With appropriate supervision use science kits to explore the topic further.

Summer term

Page 20 of 20