YEAR 8 SUBJECT HANDBOOK 2019 - Star of the Sea College Grace Kerrison
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Grace Kerrison
Star of the Sea College
YEAR 8
SUBJECT HANDBOOK
2019
INDEX
STAR OF THE SEA COLLEGE EDUCATION CHARTER .............................................................................3
THE CURRICULUM AT A GLANCE .........................................................................................................5
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................................6
AIMS .....................................................................................................................................................7
GENERAL INFORMATION .....................................................................................................................8
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION .....................................................................................................................10
DESIGN LAB ........................................................................................................................................11
DRAMA...............................................................................................................................................12
ENGLISH .............................................................................................................................................13
FOOD TECHNOLOGY ..........................................................................................................................15
HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION ......................................................................................................16
HUMANITIES ......................................................................................................................................18
LANGUAGES .......................................................................................................................................19
MATHEMATICS...................................................................................................................................22
MUSIC ................................................................................................................................................23
SCIENCE ..............................................................................................................................................24
VISUAL ARTS ......................................................................................................................................25
Year 7 Subject Handbook - 2019 2STAR OF THE SEA COLLEGE EDUCATION CHARTER
Learning and Teaching at Star As teachers we….. As students we…..
We are a community of learners, who have • Demonstrate a love of learning and a passion for • Understand that it is our responsibility to
a passion for learning, sharing knowledge, our learning area. exercise initiative in order to be active learners.
celebrating achievement, enabling growth
and striving for excellence. • Are active members of our profession who seek to • Embrace and celebrate our passion for
improve student learning and engagement through education and our achievements
a commitment to 21st Century pedagogy, facilitated
by ongoing professional learning.
• Validate and celebrate all achievements in our
community.
We have a dynamic and holistic approach to • Respect, value and support the diversity of learners • Open our eyes and hearts to different people
life. We are responsive to the needs of and learning activities at Star and issues and use the values we witness at Star
others, strive for justice and empower to better our world and our future.
young women to make a difference in the • Recognise that learning and teaching contributes
world. to each student recognising her place as a • Use our initiative to participate in the many
responsible, global citizen. enriching activities on offer and accept diversity
within our community
• Celebrate each other’s gifts.
We build authentic relationships founded on • Care for all members of our community and uphold • Build mutual, trusting relationships by
care, compassion and mutual respect. the dignity of each individual encouraging, supporting, accepting and
respecting each other.
• Instil a sense of belonging, identity and pride
amongst our students
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 3Learning and Teaching at Star As teachers we….. As students we…..
We value personalised learning that is • Develop relevant and innovative curriculum that • Take responsibility for discussing with our
rigorous, relevant and engaging and seeks to challenge students and engage them in teachers how best to understand and improve
provides ongoing support, challenge and real world learning activities our learning.
success for all students.
• Support differentiation and personalisation of the • Optimise all learning opportunities
curriculum
We promote independence, • Engage in respectful dialogue • Uphold our identity as strong Star women in an
interdependence and self-confidence environment that encourages and nurtures
through collaboration and effective • Instil the skills and confidence necessary to work independence, creativity and positive
communication. effectively in both collaborative and individual relationships.
settings
• Encourage each other in everything we do and
collaborate with respect.
We create opportunities to engage in self- • Embrace opportunities that provide timely and • Are open to discovering ourselves as learners.
reflection to assist in the development of constructive feedback to develop a community of
meaningful learning. reflective and responsive learners. • Embrace constructive feedback by reflecting on
our achievements and our failures.
We encourage creativity and critical • Foster curiosity and deep thinking by creating an • Invest in our learning through remaining open
thinking, where risk-taking and problem environment where students are encouraged to minded and curious in everything we do. We
solving is valued as an important question, explore and appreciate learning through are prepared to question, explore more deeply
contribution to learning. inquiry and take risks to challenge ourselves. We value
creativity and thinking outside the square.
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 4THE CURRICULUM AT A GLANCE
YEAR 7 YEAR 8 YEAR 9 YEAR 10 YEAR 11 YEAR 12
Core Subjects Core Subjects Core Subjects Core Subjects Core Subjects Core Subjects
Religious Education Religious Education Religious Education Religious Education Religious Education Religious Education
English English Integrated Studies: English English or Literature English or Literature
Health & Physical Health & Physical English & Humanities Health & Physical
Education Education Integrated Studies: Education Elective Subjects Elective Subjects
Humanities Humanities Science & Geography Mathematics Accounting Accounting
Mathematics Mathematics Health & Physical Australian & Global Biology
Science Science Education 1 Semester of: Politics Business Management
Visual Arts Visual Arts Mathematics Dynamic Science Biology Chemistry
Modern History Business Management Classical Studies
Languages (choose 2) Languages (choose 1) Languages (choose 1) Society and Money Chemistry Dance
German German German Classical Studies Economics
Italian Italian Italian Elective Subjects Dance Food Studies
Japanese Japanese Japanese Choose 5 Economics Geography
Art Food Studies German
1 Semester each of: 1 Semester each of: Elective Subjects - Rewind Geography Global Politics
Drama Drama Choose 4 (2 per semester) - Everything Old is New German Health & Human
Food Technology Design Lab American History Dance Styles Health & Human Development
Digital Technology Food Technology Art Design & Technology in Development History - Australian
Music Music Design & Technology in Textiles History - 20th Century History - Revolutions
Textiles - Fashion & Style Icons Italian Italian
Drama - Fashion & Culture Japanese Japanese
Electronics Drama Legal Studies Legal Studies
Environmental Science Food Technology Literature Literature
Food Technology Geography Mathematics Mathematics
ICT: Illustrate & Animate German - Foundation - Further Mathematics
Literature ICT: Publish & Broadcast Mathematics - Mathematical
- Stranger Things Italian - General Mathematics Methods
- Dark Imaginings Japanese - Mathematical - Specialist
Music Law & Order: Juvenile Methods Mathematics
- All That Jazz & All That Justice - Enhanced Methods/ Media
Rocks Literature Specialist Music Performance
- So You Want To Be a - Essential Reads Mathematics Physical Education
Rock & Roll Star - Literature Now! Media Physics
Sports Coaching Media Music Performance Product Design &
The Power of Persuasion Music Physical Education Technology (Textiles
Visual Communication - Rockin’ All Over The Physics & Fashion)
Design World Product Design & Psychology
- Get A Job Sha na na na Technology (Textiles Studio Arts (General)
Photography & Fashion) Studio Arts
Science Psychology (Photography)
- In Sickness & Health Studio Arts (General) Texts & Traditions
- Mission to Mars Studio Arts Theatre Studies
- Nature versus Nurture (Photography) VCAL
- Science of Life Texts & Traditions VET Business
Sports Science Theatre Studies Visual Communication
Visual Communication VCAL Design
Design VET Business
- Signature Branding Visual Communication
- Grand Designs Design
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 5CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Whilst attending Star of the Sea students are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities outside the
realm of the classroom. The following table gives an indication of the programs available in 2019.
• Aerobics • History Competitions (Year 9) • PE Day Activities
• AFL Football • Hockey • Public Speaking
• Art Club • House Netball • S.R.C.
• Athletics • Instrumental Music Lessons • Sailing
• Australian Mathematics • Inter-Faith Exchange (Islamic- • Science Experience (Year 9)
Competition Christian Dialogue) • Self Defence (Year 9)
• Backstage Crew • Iona Presentation College • Singing Lessons
• Badminton Exchange (Year 10)
• Soccer
• Ballroom Dancing Lessons • Irish Dancing
• Social Justice Group
(Year 10) • iTeam
• Softball
• Bands • Lacrosse
• Sound & Lighting Technician
• Basketball • Languages Council
• Soup Van
• Big Sister Little Sister • Language Tours (Italy & Japan)
(Year 7 & 11) (Year 9 – 11) • Stacella Choral Program
• Bike Education (Year 8 & 9) • Library Monitors • Stage Band
• Central Australia Tour • Lighting Technician • Stage Crew
(Year 9 & 10) • Liturgy Planning and Leadership • Star Reading Challenge
• Companions (ANZAC) • Magazine Committee • Star Writers’ Collective
• Concert Orchestra • Makerspace • Statewide Maths Games Days
• Cricket • Maths Challenge • Surf League/Lifesaving
• Cross Country Running • Maths Peer Tutoring • Swimming and Water
• Dancing Activities
• Media Internship
• Debating • Table Tennis
• Ministry Retreat
• Diving • Tennis
• Music Festival
• Drama Club • Tournament of the Minds
• Music Soirees
• Drama Festival (Year 8, 9 & • Triathlon
• Musical/Production (Bi-annual)
10) • Tutoring of recently arrived
• NASA Space Camp Study Tour Australians
• Environmental Activities (Year 10 & 11)
• Exchange Programmes • UNSW Maths Competition
• National Chemistry Quiz
(Japan & Germany) • UNSW Science Competition
• National Presentation
• Future Problem Solving Leadership Conference • Vietnam Study Trip
• Great Victorian Bike Ride (Year 10 & 11)
• National Reconciliation Process
• Growing Tall Poppies • Volleyball
• Netball
(Enrichment Program) • Wagga Pilgrimage (Year 9)
• Online CAT (Computational &
• Gymnastics Algorithmic Thinking) • Writing Competitions
• Help Force Activities at Competition • World Scholar’s Cup
Hostel (Year 9) • Outreach to Sacred Heart (Year 7 & 8)
Mission
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 6AIMS
AIMS
The education policy of Star of the Sea College has emerged from a growing tradition developed
throughout the years by the Presentation Sisters in conjunction with other dedicated staff
members.
In formalising the aims of the College it is acknowledged that the school is not the sole educator;
we affirm the importance and necessity of working with families in the educational process.
Your daughter will be in a happy and lively environment at Star of the Sea College. She will
experience a challenging, forward-looking education. The wide-ranging curriculum is designed to
meet her individual needs and to develop her gifts.
She will be given the opportunity to be part of a faith community and encouraged to develop a
growing relationship with the person of Jesus revealed to us in the Gospels and through the
teachings of His Church. This vision is integral to the Catholic environment and to the
Presentation tradition at Star of the Sea College.
Your daughter will be encouraged to develop a strong sense of social justice, to live justly and
compassionately in a spirit of Christian hope.
She will be urged to embrace a whole-hearted, enthusiastic approach to life, to reach her full
creative potential and to aim for excellence in all that she undertakes. She will be challenged to
think critically, research productively and express her opinions thoughtfully.
She will benefit from the Pastoral Care Program and be supported and sustained by staff who
believe in the value of caring for each student as an individual.
She will be encouraged to develop a positive and confident approach to the technological
developments that are enriching modern education.
Your daughter will be educated within structures which are liberating rather than constraining and
challenged to be responsible for her own life and the decisions she makes. She will be helped in
her growth towards maturity, independence and interdependence. Understanding failure,
rejoicing in success and knowing how to forgive will be important elements in this growth.
Your daughter will be encouraged to develop a capacity for personal reflection, to have a sense of
wonder and appreciation of the complexity and beauty of our world, leading her to a commitment
to care for the earth in order to preserve it for future generations.
She will be prepared to approach the future with confidence and encouraged to seek and stand by
the truth in all aspects of her life. She will come to realise the power all women have to be
peacemakers and to affirm the dignity of all peoples.
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 7GENERAL INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION
StarWISE
StarWISE is a whole-school wellbeing framework designed to enhance the resilience and
emotional literacy of students from Year 7 to 12.
In Year 8 the program focuses on understanding emotions and optimism. This builds on the work
your daughter completed in Year 7 where she explored the role of relationships and the
importance of values and leads to the work she will complete in Year 9 about respectful
relationships and thinking skills.
Camp
In Term 1, Year 8 students go on camp. There is a choice of four camps located in Melbourne,
Rawson, Somers and Gembrook.
The camp offers students an opportunity to challenge perceived limitations and build
communication, collaboration and critical-thinking skills.
Leadership Opportunities
Whilst there are a myriad of leadership opportunities on offer, the ones pertaining to Year 8
include:
• Class Captain (two from each Mentor Group per term)
• College representation at school functions and social justice events
• Student Representative Council (SRC)
Homework Expectations
Throughout the term there will be fluctuations in the amount of homework that your daughter
will have to complete. However, usually your daughter will have one hour of homework to
complete each night. If your daughter is experiencing difficulties with her homework, she is
encouraged to contact her Mentor and/or subject teacher so they can work together. If your
daughter is having difficulties across a number of subjects, it would be prudent to bring this to the
attention of her Mentor to enable them to work together on study habits.
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 8Emily Scown
YEAR 8
SUBJECTS
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 9RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Introduction
Star of the Sea is a Catholic school in the Presentation tradition and, as such, provides an
environment in which students may experience what it is to live a truly Catholic life. The Religious
Education curriculum, through its academic and formative dimensions and processes, is grounded
in the theology of the human person. This is a theology which radically affirms the sacredness of
life - the invitation to the individual and the community to co-operate with the Divine in and
through Christ to renew all creation. Through processes of reflection, prayer, celebration, enquiry
and response, students are enabled to become people for whom the way and the presence of
Christ are the pattern of reality.
Course Description
Star of the Sea’s Religious Education program is based upon the Archdiocesan RE Curriculum
Framework. Year 8 units flow from an understanding of the Church and its life where the person
of Jesus, known in the Scriptures, is central. This learning structure comprises strands of learning:
• knowledge and understanding – seeking truth
• reasoning and responding – making meaning
• personal and communal engagement – living story
and the following content areas:
1. scripture and Jesus (e.g. The Jewish context of the life and words of Jesus)
2. church and community (e.g. participating in the life of the church)
3. God, religion and life (e.g. ways of being Catholic)
4. sacrament, prayer and liturgy (e.g. sacraments of initiation)
5. morality and justice (e.g. social justice initiatives across the year)
Assessment of student achievement across all units is dynamic, creative and varied. Students will
be assessed on the following:
1. participation in class activities and discussions
2. maintenance of workbook and study materials
3. completion of a range of written and research tasks
4. oral and group presentations
Reflection and Action
In keeping with Star’s motto – Deeds Not Words – the Religious Education and pastoral curricula
work hand-in-hand to encourage considered reflection on social and interpersonal issues and
creative action in response to the needs of our world. In recent years this has taken the shape of
liturgical and practical involvement in the Lenten Caritas Australia program - Project Compassion -
and an Advent response to local Vinnies’ conferences via the compilation of hampers for needy
families. Students in Year 8 are involved in daily prayer within their Mentor Group and are invited
to take a leadership role in year level, house and whole-school liturgies. Year 8s also participate in
a reflection day which allows students to explore the development of their spiritual identity in the
context of a community of faith.
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 10DESIGN LAB
DESIGN LAB
Course Description
This semester subject provides students an opportunity to be creative, to problem solve and to
collaborate. Design Lab draws from skills and thinking used in the Arts, Digital Technology and
Engineering. Students are exposed to new fabrication processes in the use of 3D printing.
Market day: Wearable Design
Time for students to test out their entrepreneurial prowess!
Students design, construct and present their wearables. This unit guides students through new
ways to be inspired, to design and produce works of art they can wear. They design in both two
and three dimensions, using low technology and high technology to design and make their
wearables.
Toys for Joy
Bring some joy back into our day to day lives.
Students design toys that require touch or play to work. They explore the role of cogs, wheels,
chains and other mechanisms to engineer movement for an automaton toy. They also consider
aesthetics and audience in design.
Toys produced will be part of a program for the well being of a variety of audiences. These may
include primary aged patients recovering from illness, children without access to toys, young
children in the development of motor skills or the Star community as pop up toy stations.
Assessment
Students will be assessed on:
• time management
• completion of a variety of design tasks
• skill in the design and production of each product
• skill in the use of design process and application of design thinking for a specific
audience/client
• documentation of design thinking
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 11DRAMA
DRAMA
Course Description
Drama at Year 8 continues to develop dramatic skills such as use of space, tension and timing
which was introduced in Year 7. Emphasis is placed on group work, interpersonal skills and the
development of cultural awareness. Students study three different theatre styles and explore how
these theatre styles work in performance.
Unit 1
Improvisation Improvisation skills are developed and extended through this challenging unit
which emphasises risk-taking and teamwork. Students develop skills that
allow them to respond to a range of theatre style games.
Unit 2
Melodrama Students are introduced to this 19th century theatre style and explore how
this can be interpreted in a variety of contexts. In groups students write,
direct and take responsibility for the stagecraft elements of a Melodrama
performance.
Unit 3
Character Students are introduced to the acting process through the performance of a
monologue character. They are responsible for writing and performing a
three-minute monologue that is based on a personal experience. This is
performed to parents at the end of the semester.
Assessment
Assessment is based on the student's ability to devise and perform work that addresses key
criteria. Students are also required to demonstrate commitment and concentration in group and
individual situations. They are also expected to reflect critically and evaluate their experiences
across the three units.
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 12ENGLISH
ENGLISH
Course Description
Studying English builds on concepts, skills and knowledge developed in earlier years, and teachers
will revisit and strengthen these with you.
Year 8 English is designed to consolidate and expand your knowledge and understanding of
language and literature and develop your competency in literacy skills for academic purposes and
for your future careers. These areas focus on developing knowledge, understanding and skills in
listening, reading, speaking, writing, creating and film analysis techniques.
You will continue to participate in the wider reading program with regular library visits and the
opportunity to discover recent releases and must-read literature.
Areas of Skill Development
Language:
The learning focus is on developing your understanding and knowledge of the English language
and how it works, changes, develops meaning and allows people to communicate.
You learn the patterns of English such as grammar, punctuation and spelling. You develop the
ability to reflect on your own use of language in writing and speaking. The aim is to examine
language in various contexts and how texts are structured for particular audiences and purposes.
Literature:
Reading and viewing a wide range of texts will help you to understand and appreciate a range of
literary texts which explore ideas, views and information related to challenging themes and
issues.
You develop a critical awareness of the way that texts are produced in order to position readers
and learn to evaluate the decisions that must be made to create certain effects. You compare
texts that explore similar themes and come to recognise how different historical, cultural and
social contexts shape texts and your understanding of them.
After exploring the work of others, you learn to develop your own literary texts.
All students are expected to read and reflect on a variety of Literature in the wider reading
program.
Literacy:
The focus is to develop your ability to interpret and create texts with appropriate language use,
accuracy and fluency for school and the wider world. You learn to adapt your language to use to
meet the demands of the purpose, context and audience of your work. You explore and learn the
way that written, multimedia and cinematic texts entertain, inform and persuade an audience.
You are required to keep a folder of class notes, handouts, research material and homework, and
need to keep your work on your laptops in an orderly manner.
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 13ENGLISH
Assessment
Assessment in English is both during a unit and at the end of a unit of work. It includes
homework, class tasks and peer assessment. The assessment feedback you get needs to be looked
at and understood by you so that you can do even better the next time. Assessment tasks are
completed in each area over the semester and major tasks are reported on at the end of that
semester.
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 14FOOD TECHNOLOGY
FOOD TECHNOLOGY
Course Description
Food Technology at Year 8 level offers students the opportunity to investigate how various food
materials and kitchen equipment can be used to produce different products. The program is also
designed to assist students in developing confidence when working in a practical setting. It allows
the students to experiment with various cookery processes so they develop a breadth of
knowledge in the fundamental aspects of cookery. The course is both skills-based in practical work
through "hands-on" experiences in the kitchen and theory work in the classroom.
Students are instructed in the design process and how to follow the steps in responding to a
design brief. This forms the basis of the major assignment task for the course. Students are
encouraged to access online resources to assist them in responding to a design brief and create a
food product.
In addition to practical work, students complete research, planning and evaluation work related to
what they prepare.
Topics covered in this subject include:
• principles of safety and hygiene
• sensory analysis of food
• key nutrient groups
• factors influencing food selection
• kitchen management
• methods of food preparation and cookery
• responding to design briefs
• food selection models
Assessment
Work assessed:
• practical work/production performance
• design brief with a practical and written component
• written test
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 15HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION
HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Health
Course Description
Health Education is aimed at providing students with accurate and relevant information about
personal health issues. Topics covered allow them to make informed and positive lifestyle choices
relevant to their physical, emotional and social wellbeing.
The aim of Year 8 Health Education is to consolidate learning from the Year 7 course as well as
investigate a number of additional health issues arising in today’s society, particularly during
adolescence. The program plays a vital role in providing a solid foundation for building a healthy
lifestyle by assisting students to develop knowledge and skills. There will be a focus on the
promotion of participation in physical activity and provision of harm minimisation strategies to
protect the individual, and learning about human-body systems.
Units Covered
Students investigate a number of issues in the following units:
• health promotion in the community
• drug education (with a harm-minimisation approach)
• body systems
Assessment
Graded, criterion-referenced assessment is based on the following tasks:
• body systems test
• health promotion group task
• illegal drugs assignment
Physical Education
Course Description
The aim of Year 8 Physical Education is to reinforce the ideal of a healthy and active lifestyle
through participation in physical activity. Through a range of individual and team-based sports,
students have the opportunity to develop skills introduced in Year 7 and to expand upon their
repertoire of skills with the introduction of new sporting activities.
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 16HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Students are encouraged to use their expanding knowledge and range of motor skills to devise
and implement movement responses to changing demands in different games, activities and
sports. There is also an increasing focus on the importance of rules, team positions and strategies
involved in various sporting activities. Students develop their knowledge and skills not only
through physical participation but also through umpiring, coaching and administrative roles.
Topics Covered
Students will participate in a number of ball, aquatic and movement based activities:
• badminton • softball
• cricket • swimming/diving/water polo/
deep water running/water aerobics
• cycle-on bike program
• table tennis
• fitness
• tennis/hot shots
• football
• soccer
Assessment
Descriptive assessment is based on:
• skill development
• class participation
• group cooperation and responsibility
• game sense and spatial awareness
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 17HUMANITIES
HUMANITIES
Course Description
The purpose of the Humanities course is to extend breadth and depth in the understanding the
students have regarding the areas of History, Geography, Economics, and Civics and Citizenship.
Through a variety of units and tasks, students will examine the world in which they live from various
dimensions and perspectives.
History: The ancient world to the modern world
The Year 8 History course provides an in-depth study of two significant periods: Medieval Europe and
Shogunate Japan. Skills of chronology, historical research, analysis and communication will be
developed throughout the units of work.
Geography
The Year 8 Geography course comprises of two units: Landscapes and Landforms, and Urbanisation
and Markets. These units challenge students to explore three key questions:
• How do environmental and human processes affect the characteristics of places and
environments?
• How do the interconnections between places, people and environments affect the lives of people?
• What are the consequences of changes to places and environments and how can these changes be
managed?
Economics
Students will explore elements of Economics that build on their knowledge from the previous year.
They will examine a range of business environments within the Australian economy, and the
interactions that take place within such environments between consumers, producers and the
government. Students will also consider the role that they play in the economy, in terms of their
rights, responsibilities and also opportunities which may be presented to them.
ICT
Humanities develops skills in research and students will utilise their laptops to investigate topics
across all units during the year. They may choose to utilise the iMovie, Keynote and Garage Band
programs to enhance their presentations on particular assessment tasks. With digital access to the
textbook resources and the teacher-developed resources, via the Google Classroom, students will be
constantly in contact with the course material. ICT helps to enable students and increase their
independence and accountability for their own learning.
Assessment
Throughout the year, students will be assessed both formally and informally. The formal pieces of
assessment will include research assignments, tests and group tasks.
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 18LANGUAGES
LANGUAGES
Course Description
In Year 8 students will choose one of the two Languages you studied in Year 7 to study for the full
year. They continue the study of that same Language into Year 9, again for the full year.
Languages are completely optional from Year 10.
There are two main strands to all Languages in the Victorian Curriculum at Year 7: Communicating
and Understanding.
GERMAN
In Year 8 German students will complete units of work on useful, everyday topics like
introductions, school, free-time activities and family. The language skills you acquired in Year 7
will be extended and developed. Students significantly increase vocabulary and learn some
fundamental German grammar.
To help do this, each unit is introduced with a cartoon story and accompanying audio. This is
supplemented with a workbook, additional texts, online and interactive activities. There is also
material for extension and revision. They are also encouraged to practise speaking German in
dialogues and role-plays.
Language and culture are integrated in the course. Your understanding of life in German-speaking
countries will be broadened.
Through its focus on everyday topics, Year 8 German will provide the foundation to understand
German through reading and listening and will help effectively communicate in speaking and
writing.
Successful completion of Year 8 German should give the background and confidence to continue
German studies into further years.
ITALIAN
The Year 8 course builds on the basics covered in the Year 7 course. The course reinforces
listening skills, speaking skills, reading skills, writing skills, vocabulary acquisition, grammatical
understanding and bilingual dictionary skills. The course also enables students to study the culture
where the target language is spoken.
Each chapter starts with a cartoon story with audio as a way to introduce new grammar and
vocabulary.
Topics include introductions, time, home, school, nationalities, pets, birthdays, sports, transport,
travel and food.
ICT and multimedia presentations are a part of the course whereby the students incorporate
cross-curricular knowledge and skills.
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 19LANGUAGES
JAPANESE
Japan is a vibrant and exciting country, famous for its pop culture and innovative technology. The
focus of the Year 8 course is to build students’ ability to communicate. Each unit is filled with a
variety of games and learning activities which encourage students to use the language patterns
they are studying. The Year 8 Japanese website offers a wide range of support and extension
material to help achieve success.
Topics covered include family and friends, my town, daily and weekly routines, school and school
events. ICT and multimedia presentation play an important role in the classroom. Students will
use a number of interactive websites and programs to help prepare for assessment tasks and
reinforce the grasp of vocabulary and grammar.
We have a system of self-study videos and activities to help you master the Hiragana script. The
system allows students to work through the tests at their own pace. They can accelerate quickly
through the levels, or take their time and sit a test when they feel ready. Students receive
Academic Awards when they master the entire Hiragana script. They can move on to the Katakana
script whenever they are ready.
By the end of the course, students will feel comfortable working with the Hiragana script. They
will also be well on the way to expressing themselves with confidence on topics relevant to the
world.
Learning Outcomes
These are the learning outcomes for all of our Year 8 Language courses:
SPEAKING AND LISTENING
• understands and responds to familiar greetings and expressions
• imitates correct pronunciation and speaks with approximate pronunciation
• reproduces modelled language in structured exchanges, recycling language for new situations
• listens to short, spoken texts and identifies key information
READING AND RESPONDING
• reads short sentences and identifies letters and words
• joins in and repeats parts of texts in shared reading
• understands the gist and main ideas in written texts with generally correct pronunciation,
intonation and phrasing when reading aloud
WRITING
• begins to adapt models to express own ideas
LANGUAGE AWARENESS
• reflects on their language learning through the use and sharing of effective strategies
• develops an awareness of linguistic features that serve specific purposes: e.g. words with a
common stem and introduction to present tense regular verbs
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 20LANGUAGES
Assessment
There are four main areas for assessment:
1. listen to and understand short dialogues
2. performance in basic conversations and oral presentations
3. read and understand short written passages
4. complete simple written tasks
In Japanese, progress in the script is also assessed.
In addition there are two Victorian Curriculum strands:
1. communication
2. understanding
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 21MATHEMATICS
MATHEMATICS
Course Description
Mathematics no longer merely focuses on the acquisition of numeracy skills. Developing the
ability to reason, utilise appropriate problem-solving strategies and effectively use technology
have become increasingly more important in our contemporary world. Consequently, the
development of these skills is given a high priority.
The acquisition of strong algebraic and arithmetic skills is also a major focus of the Year 8
Mathematics program.
Topics covered by this course:
• operations with positive & negative numbers
• algebra – simplification, substitution and indices
• number – fractions, decimals and percentages
• solving equations and plotting linear graphs
• measurement
• statistics and probability
• ratios and rates
• geometry
Assessment
Skill mastery tests are held at the end of each topic to assess each student’s understanding of
basic skills as well as their application in more challenging contexts. In Semester 1, students will
complete their own mathematical investigation of a particular area of Mathematics. They will
then need to submit a report for assessment. The report needs to contain explanations of the
procedures used, relevant mathematical calculations and the results found. In Semester 2,
students complete an application task that requires them to apply their algebra knowledge and
skills to a real-life scenario.
In addition, students have the opportunity to participate in the UNSW Mathematics Competition,
the Australian Mathematics Competition and the Australian Mathematics Challenge.
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 22MUSIC
MUSIC
Course Description
Music is a single-semester core subject at Year 8 with four lessons per ten-day cycle. The aim of
the course is for students to further their understanding of basic concepts of music through
listening, reading, creating and playing music in a cooperative learning environment.
In this course, you will experience the following:
• guitar performance
• music theory and aural training
• blues music – music appreciation and history
• creating original blues music
Assessment
• guitar performances
• theory and aural exercises and tests
• blues music research assignment
• an original blues composition using computer software
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 23SCIENCE
SCIENCE
Course Description
Science and technology have shaped our world in many ways. We have put people into space and
looked into the farthest corners of the unknown universe. Everyone of us has to be able to think
scientifically and to understand some science in order to get through our daily activities. Every day
we face decisions that hinge on Science. Even for decisions that don’t depend on specific scientific
facts, science provides the best methods for acquiring accurate information about the world.
The learning area of Science is organised into two strands:
• Science understanding provides understanding of key concepts and involves applying
appropriate scientific knowledge to new situations. It examines the role of Science in
influencing changes in our society that affect people’s lives. Students will develop science-
literacy skills by analysing articles of recent scientific discoveries.
• Science-inquiry skills involves planning, conducting and reflecting on class investigations.
Students will undertake STEM challenges to further develop their problem-solving skills.
The topics that are studied:
• energy matters
• light it up (electricity)
• cells and microscopes
• states of matter
• chemicals and their reactions
• body systems - living connections
Through this study, students practise and develop skills of observation, analysis, expression and
communication. Students experience a variety of learning approaches through the use of practical
experimental work, digital simulations using laptops and Google sites, textbook exercises, written
investigations, individual work and group work. In addition students have the opportunity to
participate in the UNSW Science Competition, the National Chemistry Quiz and Science Week
challenges.
Assessment
Assessment is continuous and is based on the work requirements below. Details of the work
requirements are set out on the task sheet for each topic studied.
• participation - cooperative and responsible participation in all aspects of class work
• practical work - conducting activities and experiments, recording observations and writing
scientific reports
• written work - class work, worksheets and homework tasks are maintained in an organised
workbook
• assessment tasks - a range of practical activities which require research and planning over an
extended period of time
• topic tests - unit tests consisting of multiple choice and short answer questions
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 24VISUAL ARTS
VISUAL ARTS
Course Description
After an introductory experience of visual experience in Year 7, Year 8 students build new skills in
the areas of painting, printmaking and mixed media. Unit topics include:
• Impressionism Ways of Seeing
• Expressionism Ways of Feeling
• Surrealism Ways of Dreaming
• Pop Art Ways of the Popular
Students use their visual diary to research, design, experiment and record their developing
artworks. They are encouraged to produce artwork that demonstrates more individual
involvement and to consolidate research and design skills in the following areas:
Painting Students develop skills in painting, including colour mixing and
brush techniques. Using a range of media they gain experience in
the use of the elements and principles of art such as tone and
colour.
Printmaking Students produce a lino print which allows them to build upon
technical skills of design and composition, and the safe handling
of tools. They learn the conventions of signing an edition.
Mixed Media/Collage Students are encouraged to explore the imaginative use of mixed
media to create 2D and/or 3D artworks.
Assessment
Students will be assessed upon the following work requirements:
Art Production (a) visual diary – evidence of research and design planning
(b) folio – all practical work produced
Art Appreciation (a) oral and written analyses of artworks
(b) evaluation of student's own work
Year 8 Subject Handbook - 2019 25You can also read
