Year 8 Curriculum

SubjectTerm 1Term 2Term 3
EnglishIn Term 1, Year 8 will work on writing skills. Their focus will be writing to argue, persuade and advise. They will also study a reading scheme of learning focusing on Charles Dickens texts. Students will be taught how to use rhetorical devices in their writing and identify them in a range of texts. They will be encouraged to explore social/historical context when responding to a text as well as deciphering more difficult language choices in texts and commenting on their effect.In Term 2, Year 8 will study a novel and also a media unit of learning. They will explore writer’s intention and reader’s response as well as improving on their analysis skills. They will study non-fiction texts including newspapers and magazines and work on identifying the viewpoint of the writer and recognising biasIn Term 3, Year 8 will study a Shakespeare text and also study a ‘Holiday/Travel’ unit of work. They will focus on analysing and exploring how characters are developed within a text and be taught how about exploring alternative meaning when analysing parts of a text. Students will also study non-fiction and partake in writing for a range of purposes and audiences
MathsUnit 1 – Primes and factorising (2 weeks)
Unit 2– Add and subtract fraction (3)
Unit 3– Positive and negative numbers (2)
Unit 4 – Sequences, expressions and equations (3)
Unit 5 – Triangles, quadrilaterals and angles in parallel lines (3)
Unit 6 – Length and area: parallelograms and trapezia (2)
Unit 7 – Percentage change (2)
Unit 8 – Ratio and rate (3)
Unit 7 – Percentage change (2)
Unit 8 – Ratio and rate (3) Unit 9 – Rounding (1)
Unit 10 – Circumference and area of a circle (2)
Unit 11 – 3D shapes and nets (1)
Unit 12 – Surface area and volume (2)
Unit 13 –statistics (2)
ScienceStudents will have the opportunity to explore a number of areas within science namely:
Health and lifestyle; Periodic table; Electricity and magnetism; Separation techniques and Energy.
Throughout the course they will also continue to develop the following:
Investigative skills; Collaborative skills; Independence and Communication skills (literacy and oracy).
Students will have the opportunity to explore a number of areas within science namely:
Ecosystem processes; Metals and acids; Light and Sound.
Throughout the course they will also continue to develop the following: Investigative skills;
Collaborative skills; Independence and Communication skills (literacy and oracy).
Students will have the opportunity to explore a number of areas within science namely:

The Earth; Adaptation and inheritance and Motion and pressure.
Throughout the course they will also continue to develop the following:
Investigative skills; Collaborative skills; Independence and Communication skills (literacy and oracy).
SpanishStudents will study how to speak, write and understand spoken language in the topic of clothes using the present tenseStudents will study how to speak, write and understand spoken language in the topic of holidays using the past tenseStudents will study how to speak, write and understand spoken language in the topic of food using the present tense
GeographyPopulation and our planet
Looking at a variety of demographic issues including migration and the increasing urban populations. Students develop and extend their locational knowledge in this topic as various examples around the world are studied.
Raging Rivers
Examining the changes which occur along a rivers course at a variety of scales. Examples of various land forms will range from local, national and international. In addition to this students will study contemporary events such as the increase in floods in the UK.
Why visit Italy?
Students will study both the human and physical attractions of Italy (i.e. Mt Etna). Students will also look at why Italy experiences volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

Ice Age Earth
Studying how the Earth has previously experienced ice ages. Looking at the areas of the UK shaped by as ice as well as the various erosional & depositional landforms.
HistoryTudors and Stuarts.
This unit will give students an introduction to Tudor and Stuart England. Students will become familiar with the major political and social developments of the period and also the leading figures of the time.
Britain during the Industrial Revolution.
Many aspects of the industrial changes will be covered such as the factory system, coal mining and town conditions. There will also be opportunities for local study.
Slavery
The history of slavery from the middle passage to resistance will be studied. The impact on Liverpool will also form part of this module.
Religious EducationStudents will examine the concept of ‘Inspirational People' and focus on exploring how Jesus was an Inspirational person.Student will apply their knowledge on the term Inspirational and complete an independent research task on a religious inspirational person.Students will explore the religion of Islam focusing on Beliefs and Practises. Students will apply their learning to modern day lifestyles.
TechnologyIn Year 8 students follow a double lesson carousel of Food; Textiles; Electronics and Resistant Materials throughout the year as well as a single lesson per week of Graphics. In these lessons they will study the design cycle of “Design – Make – Evaluate” in each of the specific materials/media.
Computer SciencePupils develop educational programs using Visual Basic programming language Pupils produce an ICT solution for a music festival. Solution includes developing spreadsheet, database and professional logoPupils continue work for their music festival and produce a website, developing skills in HTML
ArtStudents will explore the theme of SurfacesStudents will explore the theme of IdentityStudents will explore the theme of Sense of Place
Music1. Music for Adverts and Film
An introduction to music technology and its use in the media.
Students learn how to manipulate sound using Garageband and create their own soundtrack for an advert

2. Music from Asia: Gamelan
Students explore music from Indonesia and learn how to read and play from alternative notations and structures.
Students create their own Gamelan sections and perform them as part of a wider structured piece
1. Ensemble Performance 1
Students have the opportunity to develop performance skills on a variety of band instruments (Keyboard, guitar, drums, and voice).
They learn how to fit their part with others and direct an ensemble

2. The Classics: Form and Structure
A project based around Pachabel’s Canon.
Students learn how to play it and explore the classical forms of canon, rondo and variations
1. Science Fiction and Fantasy
Exploration of music composed for fantasy (programme music and music for film)
Creation of own science fiction/fantasy programme music using electronic/live sound

2. Ensemble Performance 2
An extension of skills started in Spring term 1.
Development of learning by exploring more complex structures.
DramaTrapped; Devised Drama, Darkwood Manor: Physical Theatre, Scripted work, role play.The Victorian classroom role play, Homelessness and scripted/devised work on Bullying theme.Medieval Drama, Comedy, Silent Comedy and Circus skills.
Physical EducationOur Physical Education Curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils:
develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities
are physically active for sustained periods of time
engage in competitive sports and activities
lead healthy, active lives

During this term, students will develop their knowledge and skills in 4 activities from two carousels. Students will be informed what their starting activity will be on each carousel:

Year 8 Girl’s Indoor Carousel:
Health Related Fitness, Dance, Gymnastics, Volleyball/Badminton
Year 8 Girls Outdoor Carousel:
Netball, Football, Tag Rugby, Option

Year 8 Boy’s Indoor Carousel:
Health Related Fitness, Basketball, Gymnastics, Volleyball/Badminton
Year 8 Boys Outdoor Carousel:
Football, Rugby League, Football, Rugby Union

Students will be assessed on:

1) How they select and combine skills
2) What they know about strategies, tactics and composition
3) How well they can plan and lead practices and take on different leadership roles
4) How accurately they analyse and comment on their own and others work
5) What they know about health and fitness and how regular physical activity can benefit their health
During this term, students will continue to follow the two carousels and will participate and develop their knowledge and skills in the two remaining activities.

Year 8 Girl’s Indoor Carousel:
Health Related Fitness, Dance, Gymnastics, Volleyball/Badminton
Year 8 Girls Outdoor Carousel:
Netball, Football, Tag Rugby, Option

Year 8 Boy’s Indoor Carousel:
Health Related Fitness, Basketball, Gymnastics, Volleyball/Badminton
Year 8 Boys Outdoor Carousel:
Football, Rugby League, Football, Rugby Union

Students will again be assessed on:

1) How well they select and combine skills
2) What they know about strategies, tactics and composition.
3) How well they can plan and lead practices and take on different leadership roles
4) How accurately they analyse and comment on their own and others work.
5) What they know about health and fitness and how regular physical activity can benefit their health.
In the summer term students follow an Athletics Carousel (Running, Jumping, Throwing) and a summer games carousel.

Year 8 Girls:
Rounder’s, Tennis, Cricket
Year 8 Boys:
Softball, tennis, Cricket

Students will again be assessed on:

1) How they select and combine skills
2) What they know about strategies, tactics and composition
3) How well they can plan and lead practices and take on different leadership roles
4) How accurately they analyse and comment on their own and others work
5) What they know about health and fitness and how regular physical activity can benefit their health.