YEAR 7 CURRICULUM GUIDE

September 3, 2016 | Author: Eustace Chandler | Category: N/A
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1 YEAR 7 CURRICULUM GUIDE Introduction At Holmwood we aim to provide every pupil with a curriculum that is rich and vari...

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YEAR 7 CURRICULUM GUIDE 2010-11 Introduction At Holmwood we aim to provide every pupil with a curriculum that is rich and varied, challenging and inspiring, which is enabling and provides the opportunity for each pupil to fulfil his/her potential to the highest possible standard. Assessment Judgement about each individual pupil‘s academic standard in each subject is derived from: The marking of written work and observation of practical skills and oral activities. The pupil‘s responses to tasks and his/her interaction with the teacher. Unit, module and end of topic tests that help the teacher to identify each individual pupil‘s strengths, weaknesses and progress across a range of contexts. End of year examinations and Cognitive Ability Tests which are more formal assessments. The end of year examinations in English, Maths, Science, French, History, Geography and Religious Studies take place in an environment aimed at enabling every pupil to perform at their best. Year 7 Setting In Year 7, pupils are set by ability in most subjects. S7 is the top set in each subject and are the potential scholars. At the end of Year 7, a decision is made by the Headmaster as to who will go into S8 and take an Academic Scholarship. The ability to cope with the pace of work requires emotional maturity, good organisational skills as well as aptitude. The scholarship papers are of varying complexity, ranging from higher level GCSE, A Level and undergraduate level! The curriculum for the majority of Year 7 focuses on preparation for Common Entrance. Common Entrance The 13+ Common Entrance Examination is set by the Independent Schools Examination Board (ISEB) and is used by most independent schools for entry. A few schools now pretest at 11+ to reduce the list of potential pupils for entry at 13+, but still insist on success at Common Entrance to confirm a place. Common Entrance examinations are taken in English, Mathematics, Science, French, Religious Studies, Geography, History, with Latin as an optional paper. Examinations Year 7 take their first trial set of Common Entrance examinations in the Summer Term.

S7 take trial Common Entrance examination papers in the Autumn and Spring terms. In the Summer Term, S7 take trial Common Academic Scholarship Examinations. It is essential that all pupils have the required equipment for each examination and an equipment list is always issued, together with an examination timetable. Revision Early morning revision sessions take place in the Library and span the three weeks prior to the trial examinations. The pupils are expected to attend three sessions per week. Pupil Progress Parents are kept informed of their child’s progress through the parent-teacher meeting, written and verbal reports and an open door policy, with the tutor as first point of contact. Prep Prep is completed in school as follows: Year 7 Monday Science 4.30pm-4.55pm Tuesday Geography 4.30pm-4.55pm Thursday English 5.20pm-5.45pm Friday History 5.20pm-5.45pm

Maths RS French Latin

4.55pm—5.20pm 4.55pm—5.20pm 5.45– 6.10pm 5.45– 6.10pm

S7 Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday

English French Latin Science

4.55pm—5.20pm 4.55pm—5.20pm 5.45– 6.10pm 5.45– 6.10pm

Maths RS Geography History

4.30pm-4.55pm 4.30pm-4.55pm 5.20pm-5.45pm 5.20pm-5.45pm

Parents Evenings and Reports Schedule Autumn term Spring term Summer term

Parent Evening End of Term Report End of Term Report

The ‘Monica‘ (hardback reports‘ folder) holds the record of achievement of the child for the duration of his/her attendance at the school. Written reports are sent home to keep and the ‗completed ‘Monica‘ is presented at the end of Year 8. A standardised Test Report (CAT Test) is issued at the end of the Autumn Term. Full written academic reports are issued at the end of each term for S7 and at the end of the Autumn and Summer terms for Year 7. A Common Entrance trial Examination Results

Report is issued when a pupil has taken an internal examination. Grades Report At half term and end of term each pupil in the Prep school receives a Grades Report. In Year 7 the pupils are awarded grades for attainment and effort in English, Mathematics, Science, French or German, History, Geography, RS, Latin or Study Skills. The reports indicate the Set for each subject. Mixed ability groupings are distinguished from Sets by letters, the latter numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4, with 1 as the highest. The attainment grade on work reflects the pupil‘s ability, knowledge and understanding within the set rather than the year group as a whole. This allows confidence and selfesteem to develop as the pupils focus on their own achievements. Grades are awarded on an A to E scale according to the following criteria: Attainment Grades A B C D E

The pupil has clearly demonstrated a thorough understanding of all the topics covered. The pupil has demonstrated an understanding of most of the topics covered. The pupil has a basic understanding of the topics covered. The pupil has a poor understanding of the topics covered. The pupil has no understanding of the topics covered.

Effort Grades A B C

D E

Very good effort The pupil is highly motivated and always undertakes the work necessary to complete a task to the best of his or her ability. Good effort The pupil is well motivated and has generally undertaken the work necessary to complete a task to the best of his or her ability. Average effort The pupil has the capacity to work independently and has produced some work to the best of his or her ability. There is some reliance on external motivation, to which the response has been satisfactory, although greater self-discipline could be developed. Below average effort The pupil is dependent on external motivation to produce his or her best work. There is a need for greater self-discipline. Poor effort The pupil is highly dependent on external motivation to produce work of a good standard, but, even when given individual attention, the pupil has not responded in a positive way to produce work that reflects true ability.

Identification of Special Education Needs Teacher assessment, formal assessment procedures, Tutor or parental concern may indicate that a pupil has special educational, emotional, behavioural or physical needs. The Head of the Dyslexia Unit and the Tutor monitor the progress of pupils with learning difficulties/special needs. General rules for the presentation of work Written work is completed in ink. Work must be dated. Headings should be underlined. A line should be left after a heading and between sections of work. Mistakes should be crossed out with a line drawn with a ruler. The correct word or calculation should be written where it can be clearly seen. Diagrams must be completed with a pencil and labelled clearly. Equipment Box file. Fountain pen (roller ball or fountain – blue or black). HB graphite pencils, pencil sharpener, eraser. 30 cm ruler. 360° protractor. Pair of compasses. Colouring pencils. A dictionary. Scientific calculator. Subject departments have additional rules for presentation of work specific to their discipline. The Library is utilised on a regular basis by all subject departments. Pupils are encouraged to borrow books for recreational reading as well as their academic studies.

English Pupils will be encouraged to participate orally in lessons and to become confident in reading aloud and giving talks to their peers. Reading Each set will study a range of genres, in class, including an adult fairy tale, a text set overseas, some pre-20th Century fiction and non-fiction texts. Extracts from other books will also be used. Currently, the theme for the Common Entrance literature paper is ‗Conflict‘. Pupils will be encouraged to read widely for pleasure, on their own, both at school and at home.

Writing Pupils will re-tell fairy tales, write reports of factual and fictional events, develop their skills in letter writing and producing play scripts, and will read and design leaflets. They will also begin to write extended compositions choosing titles from Common Entrance papers. A variety of poems will be studied including a selection connected to the theme of ‗Family‘. Writing in free verse and from observing a subject will be taught. Good presentation and handwriting skills will be encouraged throughout. ICT and library research will also feature in the course. Basic Skills Pupils will learn more about using figures of speech, especially ‗irony‘, find out about palindromes and consider how ‗Standard English‘ differs from other forms of English. Where appropriate support will be provided to consolidate spelling and simple grammatical skills. S7 In addition to aspects of the Year 7 course, pupils will be prepared for the two Common Entrance papers – which will include the sections: comprehension, poetry and composition – until the February half term. In the second half of the year, CASE and other scholarship papers will be introduced. Pupils will be encouraged to be more analytical of the prose and poetry they read and to show this in their writing.

Mathematics Autumn Number: Four rules of negative numbers, order of operations, properties of number and rounding (decimal places and significant figures). Calculations: Effective use of the calculator. Algebra: Simplification, factorising, brackets, solving linear equations, substitution and sequences. Shape and Space: Circles, bearings and angle calculations. Spring Number and calculations: Four rules of number including decimals, division by factors, prime factors and word problems. Algebra: Solving linear equations, function machines and graphs of the form y=mx+c. Shape and Space: Classification of polygons, 2D representation of 3D shapes, constructing 2D shapes, nets, surface area and volume. Summer Number: fractions, decimals percentages and ratio. Handling Data: Word problems, averages, pie charts, conversion graphs, scatter graphs, frequency diagrams and probability.

S7 Autumn Number: Four rules including decimals and negatives, properties of number, rounding, calculations involving fractions, decimals and percentages. Algebra: Simplification, forming expressions, solving linear equations, substitution, sequences, graphs of the form y=mx+c and inequalities. Shape and Space: Circle calculations, bearings, angle calculations, area and volume, classification of polygons, transformations and constructing 2D shapes. Measurement: Metric and imperial measures. Handling Data: Pie charts, conversion graphs, scatter graphs, frequency diagrams, probability and averages. Spring Algebra: Trial and improvement to solve quadratic equations, sequences where the nth term is quadratic, solving simultaneous equations, quadratic and cubic graphs. Shape and Space: Pythagoras‘ Theorem and volume of prisms. Measurement: Average speed of multi-stage journeys. Handling Data: Histograms of discrete and continuous data, averages and distance/speed graphs. Summer Number and calculations: 4 rules of fractions including the order of operations, the laws of indices, simple and compound interest. Algebra: Solving word problems with simultaneous equations, problems with sequences. Shape and Space: Area, perimeter and volume including pyramids, combined transformations and circle theorems. Handling Data: Venn Diagrams and set theory. Using and applying: Investigations, computer generated graphs and diagrams.

Science Autumn ENERGY: Energy types and transformations. Conservation of energy and efficiency. A bouncing ball investigation. Differences between temperature and heat. ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM: Electrical safety, circuits, resistance and resistors, switches, fuses, current and voltage. Magnetic fields and electromagnetism. SOUND AND LIGHT: Revision of frequency (pitch) and amplitude (loudness).

Speed of sound through different media. Reflection, refraction and dispersal of white light, filters, pigments and colour. THE EARTH AND BEYOND: Planets, stars and galaxies. The effect of gravitational forces on the orbits of planets, moons and satellites. Day/night, seasons and solar/lunar eclipses. Phases of the Moon. Satellites and exploration of space. ELEMENTS, COMPOUNDS AND MIXTURES: How the elements are organised in the periodic table and how they combine through chemical reactions. Spring GASES OF THE AIR: Composition of the air and uses of the gases. Laboratory preparation of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Laboratory tests for oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and water. CARBONATE CHEMISTRY: Forms and uses of calcium carbonate. The limestone cycle. Hardness of water. Thermal decomposition of and the effect of acids on calcium carbonate. HUMANS AS ORGANISMS: Revision of cells. Nutrition: Composition of food and the human diet. Structure and function of the digestive system, including the function of enzymes. Tests for starch and glucose. Cellular respiration: Respiration and the release of energy. Aerobic respiration versus anaerobic respiration. Summer REPRODUCTION: Structure and function of the human systems. Adolescence, the menstrual cycle, fertilisation and the development of a foetus. MOVEMENT: Review the role of the skeleton. The antagonistic behaviour of muscles. HEALTH: Role of micro-organisms, malnutrition, sanitation, immunisation. Drugs, their use and abuse. S7 In addition to the Year 7 syllabus, S7 will examine: ENERGY: A range of variables in determining energy transfers with bouncing balls. Conduction, convection and radiation. ELECTRICITY: Electronics, truth tables and logic gates with AND and OR circuits. SOUND AND LIGHT: Echolocation and its uses. The electromagnetic spectrum – brief introduction. Refraction, total internal reflection and lenses. GASES OF THE AIR : Changes in the atmosphere, pollution and the greenhouse effect. NUTRITION: Amylase assays: Malnutrition, especially the effects of minerals and vitamin deficiencies. Diffusion, osmosis and active uptake. BLOOD CIRCULATION : Blood structure and function. Brief introduction to the defence systems of the body and pathogenic organisms.

REPRODUCTION: Mitosis and meiosis.

French Year 7 prepare for the Common Entrance and Scholarship examinations (S7). Topics for the Speaking exam. Reading, Listening and Writing skills. The scholars in S7 use the same four skills but at a more advanced grammatical level and using a wider vocabulary. Autumn Revision of basic vocabulary. Describing yourself, your friends and your family—appearance and personality. Preparation of ‗family and friends‘ Common Entrance oral topic. Talking about the weather and free-time activities. Expressing future plans. (Extension topic) Summer Talking about TV programmes, clothes and adjective agreements. Preparation of ‗Free-time and Holidays‘ Common Entrance oral topic. Summer Revision of oral topics. Revision of basic grammar. Introduction to Common Entrance papers. Vocabulary and grammar arising from the end of year examination. Using ‗aller‘ and infinitive to express the Future tense. Preparation of ‗House and Home‘ Common Entrance oral topic. S7 Autumn Topics: Holidays, free time activities, meeting people - arranging time and place. Grammar: Le Passé Composé (Perfect tense) - revision of Present tense. Aller and Infinitive to express future idea. a, en, au, aux and countries/towns. a, au, a la, a l', aux. Partitive Article - du, de la, etc. Adjectival Agreements. Prepositions. Revision of possessive adjectives. Preparation of ‗moi et ma famille‘ topic. Spring Past (imperfect), present and future tenses.

Description of family and friends in present and past tenses. Imperfect tense of avoir, être and porter. Visiting a restaurant, understanding the menu and different foods. Preparation of ‗mes passetemps‘ and ‗ma maison‘ topics Summer Preparation for CASE papers in all four skills. A visit to the Europa Centre takes place just before the oral examinations. Preparation of ‗mon école‘ topic. Direct and indirect object pronouns.

Geography Autumn CEEB Unit - Earthquakes and Volcanoes Pupils complete studying this unit - started in the Summer Term of Year 6. CEEB Unit - Weather and Climate Pupils address the following issues/questions:Why are we so interested in the weather? – a brief look at the reasons behind the national obsession. What is the difference between weather and climate? What is the Water Cycle? What is a Microclimate? Does Holmwood House have a distinct Microclimate? – pupils complete a word processed project based on weather data collected from the school grounds. Three main rainfall types—Convectional, Relief and Frontal. What is Britain‘s climate like? Can Britain be divided into distinct climatic areas? What part do air masses, depressions, fronts and the Gulf Stream play? Spring CEEB Unit - Rivers and Coasts Pupils will address the following issues/questions:How is rock broken down? There are three major processes of weathering - physical (freeze thaw/frost shattering, onion-skin), chemical and biological weathering. The processes of weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition that help shape river features from the source to mouth. Focus on the formation of waterfalls and meanders. The processes of weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition that help shape coastal features – caves, arches, stacks, stumps and spits. The Mississippi Flood of 2007 - the physical and human causes of the flood as well as the impacts on the physical and human environments.

Summer Revision for Year 7 Trial Examinations—Six single lessons before the examination will be given over to revision. Walton-on-the-Naze Fieldwork Enquiry—The rest of the lessons and preps in the summer term will be devoted to the Fieldwork Enquiry – data collection will take place during one day at Walton-on-the-Naze. The Fieldwork Enquiry makes up to 20% of the overall mark for the Common Entrance Examination. The Enquiry is to be completed by the end of the Autumn Term in Year 8 – the enquiry must be word processed (pupils will have full access to computers). S7 Pupils in S7 generally follow the Year 7 Syllabus but in greater depth and breadth. In addition to what the rest of the pupils learn in Year 7, pupils in S7 will study: Weather hazards – Tornadoes, Hurricanes and Typhoons (various case studies from around the world). World Climates – the various climatic zones across the world. How people have adapted to living in extreme environments such as deserts and rainforests. Flood control and management – contrasts between MEDCs and LEDCs.

History Autumn The making of the UK 1500-1750. Common Entrance evidence questions. Looking at comprehension. Spring Common Entrance essay topics 1500-1750. Common Entrance evidence questions. Looking at comprehension and comparison of sources. Summer Common Entrance essay topics and Common Entrance evidence questions. Looking at comprehension, comparison, content and provenance of sources. Overall preparation for Summer Exam.

S7 Autumn Understanding Common Entrance evidence questions and relevant history topics for the essay. Spring Common Entrance evidence questions and relevant Common Entrance history topics for the essay. Summer Scholarship evidence questions and planning an answer to scholarship essay questions.

Religious Studies Autumn New Testament Topics Who is Jesus? Temptation of Jesus. Parables of Jesus. Jesus and the Outcasts. Common Entrance and Scholarship papers. Contemporary Issues Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa and Oscar Romero. Capital Punishment. Homelessness, Racism and Prejudice. Spring Old Testament Topics The Creation. The Nature of Humanity and the Fall. Adam and Eve. Cain and Abel. Elijah. The near sacrifice of Isaac. David and Jonathon. Contemporary Issues - including ‗The Monarchy‘ and ‗The Influence of Television‘. Summer Solomon‘s wisdom.

Genchi Engineering/cloning. Revision. Islam/Judaism/Christianity/Hinduism. Preparation for trial Common Entrance and CASE Papers. Human Rights.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Autumn Developing the key skills of Microsoft Word and Publisher. Design work using a variety of graphics programs. Spring Developing the key skills of Microsoft Access. Research skills: using the library, CD ROMs and The Internet. Using a multimedia-authoring package to organise, refine and present a set of linked multimedia pages which incorporate images, sounds and text. Summer Measuring physical data. Use Microsoft Excel to construct and manipulate a spreadsheet model using formulae. Explore patterns and relationships and predict consequences of decisions.

Music Autumn Pupils learn the song Somewhere along the Road. Listening activities based on Janacek‘s Sinfonietta. Compose, arrange, perform and record AABA melodies. Pupils complete ―Melody Match‖. Choose and start learning a song for Songfest. Spring Learn the vocal line of Joshua fought the Battle of Jericho. Add instrumental parts of Joshua to the texture. Consolidate major & minor scales with theory. Pupils play Tango Argentino & note major/minor change & tango rhythm. Pupils compose a piece using a major/minor contrast. Listen to/appraise each composition. Pupils listen to the opening of Monteverdi‘s vespers and answer questions. Pupils learn the song Eleanor Rigby and how chord symbols are interpreted.

Summer Pupils learn about singing, social contexts, styles of vocal music, vocal genres & voice types. Use ideas from the vocal music performed, or heard, to compose pieces with more than one vocal layer. Pupils listen to several excerpts of a Cappella music & identify features and context in each. Pupils perform ‗The Entertainer‘. Learn about Ragtime and its historical context. Learn about the characteristics of Joplin‘s style. Compose a Ragtime piece, incorporating some stylistic features into their composition. Pupils perform the song ‗When I‘m Sixty-Four‘.

Art Art in Year 7 and Year 8 forms a two-year cycle of projects. Autumn SELF IMAGE Explore your personal identity as a starting point. Create images that reflect your ideas of yourself, working from observation, memory and imagination. Develop skills using traditional materials and processes and have the opportunity to combine traditional and digital media. Learn about the ideas, methods and approaches used by other artists who have made images of themselves and/or portrayed others. Spring ANIMATING ART Explore the use of the moving image to communicate ideas about particular genres or styles of art. Analyse paintings, films, cartoons, illustrations, digital images, photographs and images from contemporary visual culture. Learn how to represent ideas and values using the moving image. Make connections between abstract expressionism, expressionism and pop art of the 1960s and contemporary moving images.

Summer PERSONAL PLACES, PUBLIC SPACES Explore examples of Sculpture or Public art in your local area. Research the different ways in which ideas, beliefs and values are represented and shared in your local area and in different times and cultures, including contemporary modern practice. Explore ways of representing your ideas and then create a three-dimensional form for a specific location.

Physical Education (PE) Autumn Health and Fitness Learning the differences between aerobic, anaerobic and muscular fitness. Working to increase stamina through various tests and exercises. Gymnastics Studying the theme of lifting and lowering different body parts through individual, partner and team performances. Hockey Recap on basic skills and introduction of small sided and full sided games. Spring Cross Country Improvement of individual performance. Gymnastics Exploring the theme of spinning, twisting and turning with the help of mats and apparatus. Volleyball Improving the skills and tactical understanding of Volleyball through individual skills and full sided games. Summer Athletics Running—Sprint starts, middle and long distance races with the emphasis on improving individual times. Jumping—Long Jump and High jump.

Throwing—An introduction to Shot Put, Discus and Javelin. Relays—Improving team work and cooperation.

Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE) Self-awareness Extension of the ‗buddy‘ system to include lunch-time visits to Year 3 buddy. The right to be an individual. The use of time and talent. Honesty and truthfulness. Health Reproduction. Danger from Paedophiles. Parents are invited to view ‗Broken Trust, Shared Feelings‘ video produced by Essex Police. Environment and personal safety. Drugs, alcohol and legalities. Citizenship Rules rights and responsibilities. The Government and the law. Honour. Justice and Respect. Courage and convictions.

UNICEF. Study Skills The study skills course is designed to help pupils understand how they learn; to develop comprehension, thinking and memory skills; to improve planning, organisation and revision techniques, and thereby recognise and develop their personal learning style. Autumn Term The pupils work to improve auditory, visual, visio-spatial, kinaesthetic and sequencing skills. Comprehension and reading for specific purposes continues; inferring, predicting, associating and comparing information are the focus. Thinking skills include reasoning and critical analysis. Spring Term Work on memory skills continues.

Understanding the brain, memory and learning style is covered. Reading skills include summarising and analysing fact and opinion. Summer Term Personal planning and revision timetables are introduced. Revision techniques include tabulating, taping, mind mapping and mnemonics. Thinking skills and quick note taking are also worked on.

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