2014 ks3 guide

International School, Luxembourg A.S.B.L.

KS3 Guide

Snoon Booklet

Table of Contents Overview ............................................................................................................................. 2 Assessment ......................................................................................................................... 3 Art and Design ..................................................................................................................... 4 English ................................................................................................................................ 6 French ................................................................................................................................. 7 Geography ........................................................................................................................... 8 German ............................................................................................................................... 9 History .............................................................................................................................. 10 Information Technology...................................................................................................... 11 Mathematics ...................................................................................................................... 12 Music ................................................................................................................................ 13 Physical Education .............................................................................................................. 14 SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education) .......................................................... 15 Science.............................................................................................................................. 16

Version: 27th March 2014

Overview At St. George’s International School, students in Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) study a broad and balanced curriculum that builds on their learning in the Primary school and prepares them for the examination courses which begin in Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11).

All students will study the following subjects:       

Maths, Science, English Modern Foreign Languages (French and German) The Arts (Music, Drama, Art) Humanities (History, Geography) Physical Education SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education) ICT

Students with particular needs will receive specialist support:   

English as an Additional Language (EAL) Learning Support – Maths and English Gifted & Talented students

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Assessment Assessment during Key Stage 3 is based on progression through the levels of performance stipulated in the National Curriculum of England and Wales. Assessment takes place informally through continual teacher assessment and also formally in end of year exams in the summer term. Average students are expected to make two levels of progress during Key Stage 3. Some students may make more progress, and others a little less depending on their individual needs and their aptitude for certain subjects. Students will also take a MidYIS test (Middle Years Information System) which is administered by Durham University in the UK. This provides the school with an assessment of the progress and potential of individual students and is also used internally to assist subject teachers when monitoring and tracking student progress through the Key Stage.

NC level

YEAR 7

YEAR 8

YEAR 9

GCSE

Exceptional Performance

A*

High Performance

High Performance

A/A*

Above average Performance

Above average Performance

B

Average Performance

Average Performance

C

Below average Performance

Below average Performance

D

Low Performance

Low Performance

E-G

8 7 6 5 4 3 2

Excellent Performance High average Performance Average Performance Below Average Performance Low Performance

Homework Homework in KS3 will follow the programme outlined in the KS3 homework timetable which is published on the school website.

For further information on the Key Stage 3 programme please contact Mr G. Cooper (Assistant Head Teacher, Key Stage 3). Parents of students wishing to join the school in Key Stage 3 are asked to contact Mrs Kerry Tranter, Admissions Officer (admissions@st-georges.lu).

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Art and Design The Art and Design course will encourage personal expression, imagination, sensitivity, conceptual thinking, powers of observation, analytical ability and practical attitudes. It will lead to a greater understanding of the role of the visual arts in the history of civilisations. It will widen cultural horizons and enrich the individual. It will combine a breadth and depth of study so that it may accommodate a wide range of abilities and individual resources.

Art and Design complements literary, mathematical, scientific and factual subjects. It is especially concerned with the development of visual perception and aesthetics, and it is a form of communication and a means of expressing ideas and feelings.

Outline of the schemes of work for Key Stage 3 Year 7 The Natural World

Year 8 The Man Made World

Year 9 The Written Word

Autumn

Landscape

Modern Technology

Spring

Microscopic

Buildings

Summer

Insects

Products

Text and Typography Cross-curricular prize, science & art Individual or group outcomes for Bill Bryson Prize

Year 7 The Natural World Students will focus on developing colour mixing skills using watercolour and mark making skills using various dry materials. They will produce a section of a map of Luxembourg using these skills inspired mainly by the work of Paul Klee, Vincent Van Gogh and Nigel Peake.

Artists studied Van Gogh Paul Klee Nigel Peake Ernst Haekel Henri Rousseau Andy Goldsworthy Lousie Bourgeois

Materials & techniques used Mixed painting & drawing Medias Batik Silk painting Weaving Embroidery Recycled materials

Outcomes Individual maps to work as a group when displayed Individual textile pieces for a class patchwork Individual sculptures

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Year 8 The Man Made World Students will explore and develop existing patterns to create a variety of mono-prints and collagraphs. They will then develop these by adding colour and texture with a variety of appropriate materials. The outcome will be a selection of patterns that could be used for textiles / stationery / interior design / advertising.

Artists studied Bridget Riley MC Escher Dan Funderburg Wael A Sabour The Boyle Family John Virtue

Materials & techniques used Monoprinting Collography Drawing/ Graphite Watercolour Colouring pencil Fineliner Clay and plaster

Outcomes Rotational symmetry design 3D plaster cast Ink drawings Individual paintings

Year 9 The Written World Students will follow the GCSE assessment objectives to help them prepare for their option choices in Key Stage 4. They will produce a series of observation drawings in a range of media that will then use text as the subject matter.

Artists studied Typography Artists Ed Ruscha Barbara Kreuger Vic Lee Peter Blake Sarah Fenelli Leonardo da Vinci Various artists exploring art and science

Materials & techniques used Drawing with ink, biro, pencil, pastels Collage Detailed pen work

Outcomes Typography Word Science and Art, individual or group outcomes for Bill Bryson Prize

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English

The work in Key Stage 3 is designed to practice and continue the development of skills taught in Key Stage 1 and 2.There are three main sections in the Year 7, 8 and 9 course with a fourth, subsidiary, section on drama. The three principal areas of study are speaking and listening, reading, and writing. Work throughout the subject generally ensures that these areas are integrated.

In addition language study – grammar and the development of language – are also incorporated within the three main sections.

What will students learn?

Speaking and listening Students should be able to:  Speak fluently and appropriately in different contexts, adapting their skills to the situation and audience  Listen, understand and respond critically to texts  Participate effectively in group discussion discussing and evaluating evidence in order to arrive at a considered viewpoint Reading Both class study and individual reading should enable students to develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of texts. For example they should be able to extract meaning beyond the literal and decide how language and style affects implied and explicit meaning. Students are presented with a wide range of literature, plays, poetry, fiction and non fiction including both traditional and modern writers. Students will also examine the social, cultural and historical content to works of literature from around the world.

Writing There is particular emphasis on planning and redrafting in Year 7 so the skill is embedded for use as early as possible. Various study skills are included as the programme progresses. These include skimming and scanning, paragraphing and main points, summarising, planning, self checking and some revision and memory techniques. They will be able to produce formal essays in standard English within a specified time, writing fluently and legibly and maintaining technical accuracy when writing at speed. The opportunity to write creative prose, poetry and non-fiction pieces is available throughout Key Stage 3.

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French What will students learn?

Students are taught in ability groups and with different objectives in mind: these differences normally reflect their previous experience of French.

Students will develop their skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing in French. They are encouraged to work independently, in pairs, in groups or as a class on various tasks. The course promotes the learning of grammar in context and the ability to communicate. It also affords an insight into the culture and civilisation of the francophone world with the use of authentic material.

Students will be expected to participate actively in all their lessons and do homework on a regular basis. The four linguistic skills will be tested at the end of each unit of work. They will also use technology as part of their learning.

The curriculum is based on the following points:          

Linguistic competence.

Developing the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in a range of situations and contexts.

Applying linguistic knowledge and skills to understand and communicate effectively.

Knowledge of language.

Understanding how a language works and how to manipulate it.

Creativity.

Using familiar language for new purposes and in new contexts.

Using imagination to express thoughts, ideas, experiences and feelings.

Intercultural understanding.

Appreciating the richness and diversity of the French culture.

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Geography Key Stage 3 Geography begins by concentrating on the area around us, and seeing how the familiar relates to basic geographical principles, such as drawing plans to scale, using keys, planning a route on a map and accurate use of an atlas by way of grid references. As the course progresses students will be expected to use the common practices on locations they are less familiar with, giving them a solid foundation, both in geographical techniques and knowledge of different global locations. Reccurring themes such as climate, development, natural hazards, ecosystems, industrialisation and environmental impact will be reinforced throughout the 3 years, giving each student the opportunity to further their understanding and expertise in what is a very broad subject.

Year 7 Topics      

Making Connections Settlements Exploring Britain Rivers Floods Plate Tectonics

Year 8 Topics      

Coasts Weather Ecosystems Global Warming Energy Resources Brazil

Year 9 Topics      

Development China USA Globalisation Tourism Oceans

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German What will students learn?

Students are taught in ability groups and with different objectives in mind: these differences normally reflect their previous experience of German.

Throughout the course students will develop their skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing.

They are encouraged to work independently, in pairs, in groups or as a class on various tasks.

The course promotes the learning of grammar in context and the ability to communicate. It also affords an insight into the culture and civilisation of the German speaking world with the use of authentic material. Students will be expected to participate actively in all their lessons and do homework on a regular basis. The four linguistic skills will be tested at the end of each unit of work. They will also use technology as part of their learning.

The curriculum is based on the following points:          

Linguistic competence.

Developing the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in a range of situations and contexts.

Applying linguistic knowledge and skills to understand and communicate effectively.

Knowledge of language.

Understanding how a language works and how to manipulate it.

Creativity.

Using familiar language for new purposes and in new contexts.

Using imagination to express thoughts, ideas, experiences and feelings.

Intercultural understanding.

Appreciating the richness and diversity of the German culture.

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History Key Stage 3 builds on and consolidates the knowledge, skills and understanding developed during KS2.

What do students learn?

In Years 7, 8 and 9 students will follow an adaptation of the National Curriculum of the UK which states that History fires students' curiosity and imagination, moving and inspiring them with the dilemmas, choices and beliefs of people in the past. Our fun courses help students develop their own identities through an understanding of history at personal, local, national and international levels. It helps them to ask and answer questions of the present by engaging with the past.

Students find out about the history of their community, Britain, Europe and the world. They develop a chronological overview that enables them to make connections within and across different periods and societies. Students are also encouraged to develop the ability to discuss the causes and significance of important historical events learning how to make an argument supported by evidence in order to reach an analytical conclusion.

Themes studied include: Year 7: The Middle Ages, the Romans and a castles project Year 8: The Tudors, the Renaissance and slavery Year 9: Industrial Revolution, World War One and World War Two

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Information Technology The work in Years 7, 8 and 9 is completed individually or as part of a team and as far as possible is cross curricular.

What will students learn?

This course introduces students to a range of software and builds on skills already acquired in Key Stages 1 and 2.  Hardware: digital cameras, scanners, memory storage devices  Word processing: keyboard familiarisation, text entry and format, editing, proof reading, printing  Databases – creating, sorting and searching  Desk-top Publishing (DTP) – design, change of format, text manipulation, graphics  Spreadsheets – enter text and formulae to complete calculations and charts  Presentation – layout, graphics, animation and sound  Animation – creating animations using symbols, key frames, layers and tweens  Google Sketch up – creating 3D animations of buildings  Scratch - using a programming language to create interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art  Website – developing a website using html codes as well as Flash and Dreamweaver  App Inventor – creating an App using App Inventor for Android devices This work is often project based using real situations such as producing a newspaper, ecological surveys etc.

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Mathematics What will students learn?

The students will learn to:  Apply their knowledge and skills to problem solving using appropriate strategies.  Enjoy maths and develop a confident and positive approach to the subject.  Develop their “mental mathematics” and logic skills.

We also encourage students to participate in the European Council of International Schools’ Maths Competitions and World Maths Day. In Years 7, 8 and 9 all students follow the National Curriculum for Mathematics, using the Collins New Maths Frameworking text books.

Topics include:    

Number Algebra Geometry Statistics

Resources We are privileged to have access to a wide range of resources within the Mathematics department. We encourage ICT integration with maths through the use of the teaching and learning website www.myimaths.com, amongst others. Please feel free to use it to revise or play some maths games.

Username: sgis Password: hexagon13

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Music Music in Years 7, 8 and 9 builds on the skills and knowledge developed in Key Stage 2 and uses them to develop the student’s abilities in composing their own pieces of music based on different stimuli. They will use the classroom instruments as well as learning the use of computers and computer programs in music composition.

What will students learn?  Listening – students are required to listen to extracts of music of varying styles and to analyse and comment on selected aspects of the work. They will also study the way in which music from other cultures is structured.  Composing – the student’s own abilities and knowledge are used to create pieces of their own composition based on different stimuli and using cross-curricula materials.  Performing – students are expected to take part in various productions during the school year. They continue to sing songs of increasing musical complexity although the composition aspects take a greater part in the Key Stage 3 curriculum.

These   

three elements join together to broaden the student’s knowledge of: How music is structured The different instruments used The various styles of music composed.

This will enable the students to understand and enjoy a wide variety of music, both in and out of school.

Instrumental Lessons Individual instrumental lessons are available on a variety of instruments and are taught by visiting teachers to St George’s. These lessons are charged separately and are not included in the school fees. Enquiries regarding lessons, instruments and timetabling can be directed to Mr Heley at music@st-georges.lu.

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Physical Education What will students learn?

The main aim of Physical Education is to promote physical development and the appreciation of a healthy life style. At present the students travel to off-site facilities including those at the INS and the Coque during their PE lessons.

The students follow a programme of study across the Key Stage that includes:   

Swimming, personal survival skills and diving (Year 7 only).

Team sports including Basketball, Rugby, Hockey and Football.

Individual activities including Badminton, Dance and Athletics

The COBIS Games team – Istanbul 2014 Students will have the opportunity to take Sports Leadership awards externally accredited by Sports Leaders UK and will be formally assessed against the National Curriculum objectives in each activity.

Students will have the opportunity to be selected to participate in international competitions including the COBIS Games and Unified Sports tournaments.

For their annual residential trips, Year 8 students will visit a sports resort in Austria and all Year 9 students will go skiing in France.

Students will have the opportunity to study Physical Education as a GCSE option in Key Stage 4.

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SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education) What will students learn?

SMSC is cross curricular and is continuous in its promotion of personal and social development.

It gives students the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active and responsible citizens.

The students will have the opportunity to participate in the ‘Learning to Lead’ programme, a personal development course teaching leadership skills, and is endorsed by the Chartered Management Institute. This course teaches our students the behaviours, attitudes, qualities and skills to enhance their personal effectiveness.

In doing so they:     

Recognise their own worth Contribute to the life of the school community Become increasingly responsible for their own learning Learn to reflect on their own experiences Understand how they are personally developing

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Science During Key Stage 3 students build on their scientific knowledge and understanding, making connections between different areas of science. They use scientific ideas and models to explain phenomena and events and to understand the positive and negative effects of scientific and technological developments on the environment and in other contexts. In Key Stage 3 this subject is taught as an integrated programme.

What will students learn?  Problem solving skills, mainly through planning, carrying out and evaluating their practical work.  The ability to use scientific apparatus and materials safely and with increasing confidence.  IT skills.  To recognise there are hazards in living things, materials and physical processes and to assess the risks and take action to reduce these risks to themselves and others.  To use scientific language conventions and symbols.

Topics studied in Year 7 include:  Safety  Variation and classification  Solar system  Solutions  Reproduction  Forces and their effects  Acids and alkalis Topics in Year 8 include:  Food and digestion  Respiration  Microbes and disease  Ecological relationships  Atoms and elements  Light

    

Simple chemical reactions Energy sources Electrical circuits Environment and feeding relationships Solids, liquids and gases

     

Compounds and mixtures Rocks and weathering The Rock Cycle Heating and cooling Magnets and electromagnets Sound and hearing

Topics in Year 9 include:  Inheritance and selection  Fit and healthy  Plants and photosynthesis  Plants for food  Reaction of metals and metal compounds  Patterns of reactivity  Environmental chemistry  Using chemistry  Energy and electricity  Gravity and space  Speeding up  Pressure and moments

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NOTES

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St George’s International School, Luxembourg

11, rue des Peupliers L-2328 Luxembourg tel: +352 42 32 24 fax: +352 42 32 34 www.st-georges.lu

A.S.B.L