AUTUMN 2014
YEAR 7
ENGLISH
During the course of the autumn term your child will be encouraged to develop his/her skills in English in the areas of speaking and listening, reading and writing.
We will study the story of “Flat Stanley” by Jeff Brown. Pupils will make posters, draw and label pictures, write stories and letters in the role of Flat Stanley.
We will use lap tops throughout the year, to enable students to improve on their first draft.
Towards Christmas, we will read Stanley’s Christmas Adventure.
Your son/daughter will be encouraged to read regularly in school but we would be grateful if you could take time to share a book with your child for 10-15minutes a day, if possible.
Vocabulary
andflatjealoustheholidaybeautifulwas they painting my there favourite
NUMERACY
In Numeracy this term your child will be following the National Numeracy Strategy. He/she will be working in the areas of:
- Counting and the properties of number
- Place value
- Understanding +, -, x and ÷
- Money and real life problems
- Making decisions and checking results
- Measures and time
- Shape and space
- Simple Fractions
- Handling Data
- Mental calculation strategies (+, -, x and ÷)
Every lesson will have an oral and mental part in which pupils will develop their skills in using numbers.
All students will have the opportunity to solve problems and apply their maths skills.
Students should take every opportunity to play counting games, learn the number bonds for 10 and learn the 2, 5 and 10 times table. Any help you can give at home will greatly aid their learning.
Each student has the use of a laptop computer which are to be used by all the Numeracy classes at least once a week. All students can log onto the ‘My Maths’ website to access the maths work at home. We will use Mathsbase 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, Numeracy workout 1,2,3, and 4. Numbershark, Yenka and Professor Roberts software. The students will also use spreadsheet software and textease draw programme.
Vocabulary
additionsubtractionmultiplicationdivision
add uptake awaytimesshare
more thanless thanequalsthe same as
differencehalfdoublesquare
trianglecubelitrekilogram
SCIENCE
The first unit students will cover is called “LOOKING AT LIFE”. In this biological study the pupils will look at the grouping of living things as well as studying the organisms found in the local environment first-hand.
After half-term pupils will investigate the “HOT AND COLD” properties of materials. This will look at the physical states of particles and involve an investigation of insulating materials. They will also learn how to use and read a thermometer accurately.
Vocabulary
predatorpreyplantanimalhabitat organism adapted environment solid gas
liquidparticlesinsulatorconductortemperature thermometer vertebrate
invertebrate
ART and DESIGN
Pupils will focus on colour. They will learn how to mix colour (primary, secondary and tertiary) and develop knowledge and understanding of the colour wheel and its relationship with complementary and harmonising colours.
Pupils will experiment with a wide range of media including paint and printmaking looking at the natural and manmade environment and the work Hundertwasser for inspiration.
Vocabulary
colour wheelprimarysecondarytertiary
complementaryHarmonisingpop artmovement
CITIZENSHIP
During this term Year 7 students will learn about the skills used in ‘circle time’ and work on the topics ‘welcome to St Clare’s’ and ‘friends and family’.
Students will develop their knowledge and understanding about being citizens within their new school, at home and within their local community.
Vocabulary
school Code of Behaviourrightsresponsibilities friends bullying cooperation
listenrespect
DESIGN and TECHNOLOGY
During this term Year 7 students will be studying an area of Design and Technology involving wood and plastics. The pupils will be encouraged to study Workshop Safety, The Design Processes, Properties of Different Materials, a Design Brief and record their work in a Design Booklet.
Students will also be improving their skills in the use of different machines, hand tools, abrasives and glues. The importance of developing these areas is to enable students to use these skills in later life and develop an understanding of different materials.
It would be appreciated if your child could bring a contribution of £1.00 when finished items are brought home. A slightly larger contribution may be requested for more costly items, i.e. items containing clock movements etc.
Vocabulary
plasticsconstructionenergytexture
surface/finishdevelopmentnaturalform
investigationobservationelectronics
FOOD TECHNOLOGY
During the term your child will be studying the following areas in Food Technology:
a)The health and safety rules of the food technology room
b)Basic hygiene rules
c)Understanding the uses of basic equipment in the food technology room and how to care for it
d)Using the equipment in the food technology room to produce a range of food products, such as a fruit salad and a fruit crumble
e)The Active Kids Get Cooking – Bronze Award
It would be appreciated if your child would bring with him/her a contribution of £1.00 for ingredients, plus a container for carriage.
Vocabulary
safeemergencyhealthrules
equipmentfoodhazardrecipe
seasonaltoolshygienepractical evaluation 5 a day
GEOGRAPHY
In Geography this term Year 7 students will be studying the topic “Our World.” This topic will examine the major geographical features of our planet such as the oceans, continents, climate zones, rainforests, deserts and mountain ranges. Volcanoes and Earthquakes will also be studied.
Vocabulary
equatorpolesoceansrainforests
desertsseasriversmountains
islandscontinentstectonicsvolcano
HISTORY
During this term Year 7 students will be studying the past from 1000 A.D. TO 1500 A.D. – “The Middle Ages.” This topic is known as “ Medieval Realms.” The study will be mainly about the Norman Conquest and its effect on the British people.
Vocabulary
Middle AgescastleKingQueen
Lordkeepdrawbridgeservant
poorKnightconquestinvasion
NormansmotteBailey
INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
Students will be introduced to ICT systems at St Clare’s School. They will complete a range of fundamental tasks to assess their baseline level. This work will include how to start and shut down a computer safely, how to use their own personal login, how to save and retrieve work and how to use a mouse and keyboard. They will also use 2type and Sherston Software to develop typing and control skills.
Vocabulary
startshut downloginprofilekeyboard
savetypingspacebarfilefolder
mousefont
MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Year 7 students will begin to learn how to talk about themselves in French-basic introductions and greetings, saying how old they are, and where they live. They will practise speaking, listening, reading and writing. The students will also begin to learn about life in France. Students will have the opportunity to undertake a writing assessment. The course is also designed to help with literacy and numeracy.
Vocabulary
Bonjour ça va?/ça va Je m’appelle ______j’ai ______ans
J’habite à ______
Numbers : un ………….douze. Days of the week, months of the year
MUSIC
This term Year 7 students will explore and experiment with a range of percussion instruments. They will learn how to handle, control and play the instruments rhythmically. They will also sing songs in unison and in parts. Some pupils may sing in small groups or solo if they choose. Students will learn some Christmas Carols which will be sung at a Christmas Carol Concert. Work will begin on rehearsing the songs to be performed at a musical play review at Easter.
Vocabulary
instrumentscomposepitchtempo
rhythmperformancepercussionunison
PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION
This term students will be working on developing attitudes and skills that will aid their personal development and enable them to live in and contribute positively to the wider community. Initially they will spend some time on activities that develop listening and communication skills, co-operative behaviour and team building. They will also engage in activities designed to help them develop their self-image and self-esteem before they go on to explore wider issues that have an impact on their lives now and in the future.
Vocabulary
confidencebullyingrelationshipspuberty
feelingsdrugsillegalrisk
safePolicemedicineinternet
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
In September Year 7 will take part in invasion games focusing around the sports of benchball and basketball. Students will develop basic passing, shooting and dribbling skills.
Following October half term Year 7 will complete a gymnastics unit of work. This topic will look to develop basic movement skills including, walking, jumping, rolling and balancing. These skills will then be applied when developing routines with a partner.
Vocabulary
balancewalkrolljumppartnerpassing
shooting controldribblingtackling
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Special Places, Belonging-rules and values, signs and symbols.
Students consider what it means to belong to a group, faith, community or culture. They will consider what makes a place special for groups of people and will be introduced to places of worship. Students will also consider some symbols and make a Christingle.
Vocabulary
religionmosquesynagoguechurch
GurdwaratempleChristianJew
cultureSikhBuddhistHindu
Muslim
SWIMMING
Throughout the year, year 7 will have weekly swimming lessons at the Lonsdale swimming pool in Mickleover. There will be no charge for this activity but students will be required to provide their own costume or shorts, and a towel. All swimming costumes and shorts must be appropriate for a school swimming lesson. The school will provide swimming goggles for all students. Students will work to develop all four strokes and improve water confidence.
Vocabulary
front crawlbackstrokebreast strokebutterfly
confidencebreathingtechniquediving
stamina
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