Curriculum Information Summer 2018-19 Year 8

Curriculum Information

Summer 2018-19

Year 8

Non Mihi, Non Tibi, Sed Nobis

English (Mr Mike Hayes)

This term student will begin the term by continuing their unit studying the play “An Inspector Calls”. This

unit will focus on the features of this genre and also in depth character studies. Pupils will also look at how

different dramatic devices such as dramatic irony, dialogue and stage directions are used for effect. They

will also further practice their analytical reading skills. In the second part of the term the class change gear

and focus on non-fiction travel writing. The class will identify the features of this genre and which differ

language devices are used in this type of writing. Students will then produce their own piece of travel

writing using these features and devices as success criteria.

Maths (Ms Yogeswari Boghan and Mr Shahrul)

This term, students will be learning five main topics: Sequences, functions and graphs, Transformations,

Ratio and Proportion, Area, Perimeter and Volume and Probability. The inter-related topics are Fractions,

Decimals and Percentages which will be covered in combo. These components are all underpinned by

problem solving questions which will provide a comprehensive structure for the application of mathematical

skills. Besides that, mental strategies are also a key part of the Numbers topic. The students will also be

exposed to actual Secondary Cambridge Checkpoint questions and mark schemes as part of their continuous

preparation for the exams when they reach Year 9.

Malay Language (Mrs Rabiahtul Bazariah & Mrs. Pattmagowri Muniyandi)

Throughout this term, Year 8 students will be working on the topics of ‘Dunia Semakin Cangggih’ and ‘Pengangkutan Alaf Ini’. They will be developing their skills in these four areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing. They will learn how to write in paragraphs in a creative way, form their own opinions and learn how to take ownership of the language they are learning. They will continue to work in groups as well as independently, to expand their grammar in order to further improve their grasp of knowledge in this language. There will also be project based learning on the title “Isu Pengangkutan di Negara Kita”.

Sejarah (Mrs Rabiahtul Bazariah)

This term, students will be exposed to various interesting topics about Malaysia, namely the Rubber Industry in Malaysia and the Importance of a Multi-Racial Society in Malaysia. We will also cover aspects of the history of Malaysia, Ethnic Relations, Architecture, Socialisation and Etiquette. There will also be opportunities for some project based learning. Students will be able to gain knowledge about Malaysian society from different perspectives and this will help children to develop these skills needed in the modern world: to look beyond the headlines, to ask questions properly and to have the confidence to express their own opinions.

Science (Ms Anita Sundralingam and Mr John Foo)

BIOLOGY: Students will be studying ‘Reproduction and development’ to further their knowledge on human reproduction system, physical and emotional changes that take place during adolescence, and how conception, growth, development, behaviour and health can be affected by diet, drugs and disease.

CHEMISTRY: In ‘Material changes’, students will develop their knowledge concerning the differences between physical and chemical changes, characteristics of a chemical reaction, conservation of mass in a chemical reaction, examples of chemical reactions such as burning, reactions with acids and rusting.

PHYSICS: In the unit of ‘Sound’, students will be learning the properties of sound in terms of movement of air particles, and the link between loudness and amplitude, pitch and frequency. Besides, students will be learning ‘Measuring motion’ by exposing their knowledge to measuring speed and interpreting simple distance-time graphs. Lastly, students will be studying about ‘Magnetism’ including magnetic and non-magnetic materials, magnetic poles, magnetic field from magnetic or from a current, and making an electromagnet.

History (Mrs Maryam Wallace)

This term students will complete their study on WWI before moving onto the Rise of Hitler. Students will begin the term with an investigation into the Battle of the Somme, its successes and failures, and if General Haig deserves the label ‘butcher.’ Pupils will use a range of extended writing and sources to support their learning. Students will then complete the year with an investigation into the end of WWI and the subsequent rise of Hitler with a focus on the inter war years, the problems left at the end of WWI and a study into the use of propaganda in Hitler’s rise to power. At the end of the term students will have cemented skills in analyzing sources, and extended writing.

Mandarin as a 1st Language (Ms Soon Saw Imm)

This term, students will learn about argumentative method, which included argument, evidence,

and demonstration. They will explore debate method to strengthen their argumentative tasks.

They will improve their Chinese vocabulary through reading, presentations and spelling tests. This

term, we also aim to improve their narrative skills and writing skills by reading model essays and

composition. At the end of the term, students will be able to write compositions of around 300-

400 Chinese characters.

Mandarin as a 2nd Language ( Mrs. Pang Sook Yee)

This term, students will expand their vocabulary on the topics of food, drink and hobby. The

emphasis will be on the writing, speaking and reading components. Students will also be asked to

read mandarin articles, and to elicit the implied meaning as well as make deductions of the

writer’s purpose. Vocabulary in context will also be introduced as a means of developing students’

writing skills on specific topics. Other than writing skills, students will also be working in groups to

discuss various topics. Students will practise listening through the Chinese Made Easy CD. At the

end of this term, students will be expected to write 40-80 words using appropriate vocabulary and

sentence structures.

Performing Arts (Ms Emily Spedding and Ms Carrena Tung)

Music: This term, year 8 are continuing their compositional skills through a composing with chords unit. They will be expected to work within a key and compose using the appropriate primary chords. We will develop keyboard and guitar skills whilst using improvisation skills to develop melodies. Finally, pupils will expand their notation skills using music notation software.

Drama: The pupils will be looking at a drama unit entitled ‘Superheroes’ whereby the pupils will explore character-led narrative using their own imagination. By developing their own plays, the pupils will explore stereotypical heroes and dramatic techniques used to create contrasts within scenes.

As part of the PA curriculum all KS3 pupils will visit Penang Performing Arts Centre on Friday 4th

May to watch a production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Art and Design (Mr Mohd Shahrul Hasfis)

This term, year 8 students will earn about Russian Constructivism sculpture, they will learn about

the history about art movement, artist and purpose of the art. To finish their artwork, they will

learn a few skills such as drawing, pattern making, and design simplifying and final painting. They

also will use a new media and skills such as acrylic, cutter, hot glue gun and much more.

Geography (Mrs Maryam Wallace)

This term students will be learning all about the natural resources that we use from the

environment. We will be investigating which resources we use and how we use them. After this,

students will investigate the impact of resource extraction on a number of environments and how

these impacts can be reduced. To conclude the year students will conduct an investigation into

Japan, it’s structures, physical and human geography of Japan and Japan’s unique way of living.

ICT (Mrs Haniza Hussin)

The Year 8 students will learn few new things during this term. They will learn flowcharting. Flowcharting is a concept used to illustrate one or more workflow of events and processes. Creating set of instructions to control events such as pedestrian crossing, traffic lights and Snake and Ladder game are among the activities planned for the first half of the term.

Nevertheless, the second half of the term too stores quite a number of interesting lessons. Students will be exposed to the wider aspects of ICT and its safety issues. Here, students will learn about plagiarism and copyright issues. In addition, they will also learn the impact of ICT in the contexts of real world.

Physical Education (Mr Jack Beattie, Mr Dennis Lee and Mr Vinod Khanna)

At the beginning of term, students will begin with the topic of athletics where they will be required to develop their skills of running, throwing and jumping. The students will learn the refine the correct techniques for high jump, long jump and shot putt. After sports day, students will begin to learn a variety of sports in our Striking and Fielding unit. This will see the students develop their skills in cricket and teeball as well as be introduced to new sports such as rounders. The boys in the year group will participate in a Swimming unit, where they will learn how to be safe and confident in the water using swim and survive techniques. They will learn how to enter and exit the pool safely and begin to complete activities designed to develop their swimming techniques and strength to play Waterpolo.

Business Studies (Mr Marc Edmonds)

In the Summer term students will examine the process of selection and recruitment of staffing

within a company. They will investigate the process of recruitment, from advertising to

interviewing, and learn how they can “sell” themselves to become the better candidate when

applying for jobs. They will complete a Curriculum Vitae, and apply for a job which they are

interested in. They will then attend a mock interview (wearing business suits are recommended for

this task). Students will also look at how managers can motivate staff and how this can affect the

morale of workers.

Upcoming Events

8 April First Day of Summer Term

10 April – 26 April Checkpoint Exams – Year 6 & Year 9

19 April – 22 April Easter Mini Break

30 April Early Years – Year 6 Sports Day (Athletics)

1 May Labour Day (Public Holiday)

2 May Year 7-11 Sports Day (Athletics)

16 May Teachers Day

19-21 May Wesak Day (Public Holiday)

22 May Nuzul Al-Quran (Public Holiday)

29 May Twilight Concert

1 June Open Day

5 – 9 June Hari Raya Mini Break

10-21 June Assessment Week

27 June Year 5-11 Production : We Will Rock You

7-8 July Georgetown Heritage Day (Public Holiday)

15 July Reports Day

17 July Parents Evening & Art Exhibition (Primary)

18 July Parents Evening & Art Exhibition (Secondary)

19 July Primary and Secondary End of Year Prize Giving

Ceremony

19 July Last Day of Term