What Your Child Will Be Learning In

http://www.blandfordschool.org.uk

What your child will be learning in

Year 9

Parental Guide to the KS3 Curriculum 2012-2013

Dear Parents

The purpose of this booklet is to inform you of what your child will be learning this year. We hope you will find it useful.

In addition to the timetabled curriculum, your child will have many opportunities to get involved in extra-curricular activities, which we believe will enrich and broaden their overall learning experience.

If you have any questions about the overall curriculum, or anything contained in this booklet, please contact: Andrew Mead, Deputy Headteacher (phone: 01258 451121 ext. 213, or e-mail: ). For questions regarding individual subject content, please contact the staff listed below:

Subject / KS3 Co-ordinator / E-mail address
English / Miss F. Biggs /
Maths / Mr J. Payne /
Science / Rev. T. Meachin /
Art / Mrs G. Amey /
Dance / Miss C. Kelly /
Design & Technology / Mr N. Pinch /
Drama / Mrs B. Mutimer /
MFL / Ms. D. Tregaskis /
Geography / Mrs J. Allan /
History / Mr S Bailey /
ICT / Mrs K. Tylor /
Music / Mrs N. Fulker /
PE / Miss S. Gay /
PSRE / Mr S Harrow /

Head of Year: Mr D Spry ()

Deputy Headteacher: Mr A Mead ()

The Blandford School

http://www.blandfordschool.org.uk

Key Stage 3 Curriculum 2012-2013

Year 9

What your child will be learning in:

English

Autumn Term

·  Media Unit - 'Rabbit Proof Fence': styles of writing

·  'Of Mice and Men' - GCSE English Language & Literature

Spring Term

·  Spoken Language Study - GCSE English Language

·  'Moon on the Tides' - GCSE English Literature

Summer Term

·  Spoken Presentations - GCSE English & English Language Controlled Assessment

·  Creative Writing - GCSE English & English Language Controlled Assessment

Maths

Autumn Term

·  Charts and Graphs (6) - D1

·  Sequences and Line Graphs (6) - AL1/2

·  Angles (5) - S1 (Geometrical Reasoning Minipack)

·  Loci + Constructions (4) - S1

Half term

·  Expressions, Equations + Formula (6) - AL3

·  Area, Volume and Circles (6) - S2

·  Integers + decimals (8) - N2 TEST

·  Algebra 4 (9)

Spring Term

·  Data Handling 2 (4)

·  Shape Space and Measures 3 (6)

·  Algebra 5 (6)

·  Data Handling 3 (6)

Half term

·  Data Handling 4 (4)

·  Shape Space and Measure 4 (6)

·  Exam Preparation

·  EXAM

Summer Term

·  Start yr 10 GCSE course

For further support in Maths, students can use Maths Watch. Links to this are given at the bottom of the maths page in Frog on the school’s website. This contains video clips explaining how to do mathematics as well as worksheets. Students beyond KS3 level 5 should use the clips and worksheets for the lower GCSE levels.

Science

(Rotation of these topics)

·  Science and fiction
·  A model career
·  On the farm
·  Crime scene investigations
·  Building for the future
·  Sculpture park
·  Cleaning up
·  Flying materials
·  Buying energy
·  Satellites and space
·  Record breakers
·  Dam it!
·  Badger Intro and exemplar

Art

Shapes – 3D Media

·  Tessellation shapes

·  Exploring line– showing line thickness to create weight, depth and shape.

·  Exploring a variety of 3D techniques to create a pot.

·  Investigating how other artists create tessellations and patternmaking in their work. This includes; Escher,

·  Student evaluation of their learning.

Personal Learning Task- Jungle – Wet Media

·  Cultural research- what animals do you find in a jungle.

·  Creating a composition –foreground, midground, background,

·  Experimenting with watercolour to create tones and depth.

·  Exploring how artists work with flora and fauna; Rousseau, Karl Blossfeldt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Albrecht Durer, David Shepherd.

·  Student evaluation of their learning

Masks – 3D

·  Developing students’ understanding about other cultures.

·  What are the characteristics of masks

·  Investigating the flora and fauna, animals and mans impact on the jungle to develop ideas for a mask

·  Developing an idea for a mask linking it to craftspeople who have used the texture and colour in their mask work.

·  Students will then make a mask using papier maché techniques and then explore texture, modelling, forming, to create the chosen topic.

·  Student evaluation of their learning.

·  Mini project – scale and collage

·  Using scale and collage to develop a piece of work

·  Photography – taking photos of objects enlarging them to create distance.

·  Final piece- collage.

Design and Technology

Students will be given the opportunity to specialise in ONE of the following subject areas:

·  Food Technology

·  Textiles

·  Product Design/ Electronic Products

Product Design/ Electronic Products

Students who have opted for these subjects will be on a hybrid course encompassing Electronic Products and Product design

·  Flashing Sign Project, Soldering skills, electronic circuit theory, use of laser cutter and electronic circuit modelling software

·  Desk Tidy project, Modelling skills, card and 3D CAD, manufacturing skills working with metal

·  Clock Project, an open capability task to challenge your design thinking and which allows the student to demonstrate creativity and flair, as well as show off knowledge of materials, equipment and processes.

Performing Arts

Autumn Term

·  An Introduction to BTEC Performing Arts: Students will begin to follow the BTEC Level 2 course structure, practically examining career paths in the Performing Arts Industry including acting, directing, make-up design and circus skills.

·  Pantomime: Oh no we didn’t! Students will study the art of Pantomime including anthromorphism, breaking the fourth wall and dramatic irony.

Spring Term

·  Advanced improvisation: Students will begin to use improvisation as part of the devising process, learning how to structure a rehearsal.

·  Movement, Physical Theatre and Multi-media performance: Students will apply their knowledge and understanding of the devising process to experiment with fringe theatre and contemporary performance.

Summer Term

·  BTEC Level 2 Unit 11 ‘Devised Performance’: Students will take a BTEC unit (worth 20% of a level 2 qualification) which can be ‘cashed in’ in year 10 and 11.

·

French

Autumn Term

·  Talking about the media

·  Discussing reading habits

·  Revision of tenses in the context of the media

·  Work on future tense

·  Discussion about the importance of learning languages

Spring Term

·  Discussing illnesses

·  Healthy lifestyles

·  Structures needed to give advice about health

·  Strategies to help you understand a complex text

·  Work on a DVD series about going on exchange to France

Summer Term

·  Understanding information about tourist destinations

·  Travel plans

·  Booking in to a hotel

·  Using the past tense to describe a visit to an attraction

·  Work on a DVD called "Café des rêves"

German (optional)

Autumn Term:

·  Revision of present tense.

·  Talking about holidays, countries.

·  Perfect tense, describing a past holiday.

·  Revision of adjectives and intensifiers, appearance and character.

·  Friendships and house rules, using "weil".

Spring Term:

·  Body parts, illness and healthy living.

·  Sport.

·  Describing a town.

·  Using modal verbs "Man kann usw."

·  Planning to meet.

Summer Term:

·  Clothes, adjective endings.

·  Using "dieser, welcher".

·  Berlin,history of the city.

Spanish (optional)

Autumn Term:

·  Talking about the weather

·  Using the present tense to talkabout your holiday and festivals in Spain

·  Using the past tense to talk about your last week-end

·  Awareness of Christmas festivities in Spain

Spring Term:

·  Expressing opinions within food topic

·  Having a conversation in a food shop

·  Ordering food and drinks at the restaurant

·  Expressing opinions about clothes

·  Use direct pronouns while shopping for clothes

Summer Term:

·  Play rehearsal 'un dia perfecto'

·  Talking about illness

·  Ask for things at the chemist

·  Say what you should do to lead a healthy life

·  Cultural topic on chocolate

Geography

Autumn Term

·  Where do people live in Brazil?

·  World Population Issue – Shanty towns

·  The Structure of the earth

·  Volcanoes and Earthquakes

Spring Term

·  Managing a natural hazard

·  Crime

·  Development Issues: ‘Slavery’ or ‘Fair Trade’?

Summer Term

·  Development Issues: ‘Slavery’ or ‘Fair Trade’?

History

Autumn Term

·  The Twentieth Century An overview

·  What was the world like in 1900?

·  What were the key events of the century?

·  Who was to blame for the Titanic disaster?

·  The Emily Davison Mystery

·  Why did war break out in 1914?

·  Trench Warfare

·  Harry Farr, Shot at Dawn

Spring Term

·  Life in Nazi Germany

·  Why did Hitler gain power in Germany?

·  How did Hitler control Germany?

·  How and why did the Holocaust happen?

·  The nature of anti-Semitism & Hitler’s beliefs.

·  How Hitler carried out his anti-Semitic policies 1933-41 in Germany

·  How should the Holocaust be remembered?

Summer Term

·  Second World War- Blitzkrieg

·  Dunkirk: Triumph or Disaster?

·  Life on the Home Front -Personal Research projects

·  Does Bomber Harris deserve to have a statue?

·  Why did the Americans drop the atomic bombs on Japan?

·  What can the Olympic Games tell us about the key events and changes of the Twentieth Century?

·  Examine the modern Olympic Games /Group research and presentations

ICT

Students will begin the Cambridge National Course in ICT (L2) (worth 1 GCSE).

·  In Year 9 the students will complete Unit 6 – Creating digital images. This unit will enable students to acquire the underpinning knowledge and skills to enable them to create, edit, enhance and save different types of digital image.

·  They will then start Unit 2 – Using ICT skills to create business solutions. Here students will refine their existing knowledge of computers to reflect the working practices of the commercial world. They will use a wide range of applications that are used in the workplace and in further and higher education.

Music

Autumn term

·  Investigating various styles of music including music for horror films and

Indian music

·  Composing in a variety of styles and using music technology software

Spring Term

·  Arranging music from one style into another or fusing two styles

·  Improvisation in various styles including Blues

Summer Term

·  Performing in small ensembles

·  All students are encouraged to keep accurate records of the work they are doing either through music notation or notes

Students are encouraged to use instruments that they learn inside and outside of school in their lessons

PE

The topics that will be covered this year are:

·  Rugby (Boys) / Netball (Girls)

·  Net/Wall games (e.g. badminton/volleyball)

·  Trampolining

·  Invasion games (e.g. basketball/football)

·  Fitness

·  Athletics

·  Striking/Fielding games (e.g. cricket/rounders)

Assessment in PE:

In each year, students are assessed across 6 abilities. Their final assessment level is an average attainment across each of these. The 6 abilities are:

1)  Physical – skills associated with individual sports and ability to transfer skills between sports

2)  Health – Knowledge of health and fitness components

3)  Cognitive – ability to think tactically and identify strengths and weaknesses in performance

4)  Personal – how students persevere with challenging tasks and their ability to recognise the level at which they are working

5)  Social – their ability to work effectively as part of a team and to develop leadership skills

6)  Creative – pupils ability to create and choreograph performances and to think imaginatively

Across the key stage, pupils will be assessed in a different activity area for each ability e.g.

Personal: Y9 Trampolining. We would expect most students in Y9 to achieve at level 6b by the end of the academic year.

PSRE

In year 9 students will follow a foundation course for their GCSE to equip students with the RE skills needed to succeed at GCSE level. The course includes study of topics such as “Introduction to Christianity”, “Christian Faith in Action”, “What is Truth and Spirituality?”, “The Use of Animals”, and “The Impact of Faith on Society”.

In the Summer Term of Year9, students begin their RE GCSE course.

The topics that will be covered this year are:

·  Key Christian Beliefs

·  Faith into Action

·  Sex and Relationship Education

·  Believing in God (Christian and Atheist)

·  Matters of Life and Death (Abortion, Euthanasia and Life after Death) (Christian and Buddhist)

·  Drugs Education

Year 9 Homework Timetable (2012-2013)

Students at The Blandford School are encouraged to become independent learners. We believe homework supports this. If, for any reason, homework is not set, students are encouraged to spend their ‘homework time’ reading or undertaking activities on our VLE (FROG) or other excellent subject-specific websites (to which your teachers will direct you).

Week A / L1 / L2 / L3 / L4 / R1 / R2 / R3
Monday / Maths
English / Maths
English / Maths
Science / Maths
Music
Science / English
Science / Science
RE / English
RE
ICT
Tuesday / MFL1 (Fr/Sp/Li/Ls)
History / MFL1 (Fr/Sp/Li/Ls)
History / MFL1 (Fr/Sp/Li/Ls)
English / MFL1 (Fr/Sp/Li/Ls)
English / Maths
History / Maths