meaningful contexts. They will complete activities and tasks such as: • The descriptive writing of a New Zealand setting • An in-depth study of a fictional novel and a response to text essay on theme or character • Reading, retelling and creating their own myths and legends storyboard • Writing a one-sided argument about a current community issue • Oral communication character reading.
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Foreign Languages At Year 7 a foreign language is studied from a choice of Chinese (Beginning or Continuing), French or Spanish. Students will generally continue with their chosen language to the end of Year 10. The language is studied following the Accelerative Integrated Methodology (AIM) which uses a story-based approach to learning and provides an immersion experience in the classroom. The introduction of high-frequency vocabulary combined with the use of visual gestures accelerates oral production from an early stage. Activities completed by students will include: • Lessons conducted entirely in the target language from the first day • Participating in a play in the language being studied • Completion of listening, speaking, reading and written exercises • Using a range of interactive websites to develop and practise vocabulary • Learning to appreciate and develop a respect for the culture and traditions of the language. Japanese will be reintroduced in 2015 at the discretion of the Principal if minimal numbers are met. 26
Health Activities are designed to identify, develop and practise skills for positive social behaviour. These skills will focus on the family and friends. Students will develop strategies to promote communication, problem-solving and conflict resolution which will strengthen self-esteem and sense of well-being. Topics will include: • Hauora - well being • FRIENDS programme • Pubertal change • Healthy lifestyle. Humanities The aim of the study of humanities in Year 7 is to encourage and enable students to develop and inquiring mind and basic research skills, whilst developing awareness and understanding of people and cultures in a variety of places and times. This is studied through understanding related concepts. The following will be studied: • Water Matters - communities are responsible for exercising their rights through realising the importance of water as a finite source • Scars on the Heart - how hardships of WW1 contribute to change • Race to the Pole - leadership styles of early Antarctic explorers • We live on a Hot Spot - Auckland’s unique landscape brings its own challenges requiring societies to adapt and respond accordingly. Mathematics and Statistics Mathematics is all around us and, in Year 7, students are encouraged to become more aware of this by learning to apply logic and reasoning in real life situations; to reflect on the usefulness of understanding