YEAR 8

English

This unit extends students’ language, literature and literacy knowledge, understanding and skills from Year 7. Text and issues allow students to learn across the three interrelated strands of Reading and Viewing, Writing and Speaking and Listening. Through the reading, viewing and creation of a variety of texts, students will explore themes and issues such as culture, societal values, conflict and relationships. Common Assessment Tasks include:

• Analytical Interpretation

• Analysing Argument

• Presenting Argument (speeches) Crafting and

• Creating Texts

Students in Year 8 also spend one lesson a week working on foundational Literacy skills such as written complexity, grammar and vocabulary.

Mathematics

At the Year 8 level, students build on the fundamental Mathematical skills developed in their previous years of schooling. All students have the opportunity to improve their abilities in the following topics:

• Measurement Geometry

• Real Numbers – fractions, decimals, percentages and ratios

• Statistics and Probability

• Linear Relationships

• Patterns and Algebra

Students will also develop their calculator skills to assist their improvement in Maths. Assessments are performed using a range of measures, such as tests, problem solving activities and Essential Assessment pre and post assessment tasks.

Science

In Year 8 Science, students continue the development of their skills in science inquiry. In Biology, they study cells and learn to use a light microscope. They explore Body Systems, including the structure and function of the skeletal, muscular, and cardiovascular systems. In Chemistry, students examine elements, compounds, and mixtures and how changes can be classified as physical or chemical. They plan and conduct chemical experiments and investigate reaction rates. Students explore different forms of energy and energy transformations. They examine different rock types and how they are formed as part of the Rock Cycle.

Health and Physical Education

Year 8 Physical Education is a compulsory subject.

Students are expected to change into the Wangaratta High School PE uniform for all practical sessions and bring a note of explanation to the teacher if they cannot participate due to illness or injury.

Sport units covered in Year 8 include; fitness testing, swimming, athletics field event training, basketball, touch rugby, badminton, hockey (indoor and outdoor), Aussie rules, gymnastics, softball, cricket and minor games.

The aim is for students to understand how to develop sporting skills and specific sporting fitness, warm-up and cool down to prevent injury and work as a team player.

The health course focuses on topics derived from the Victorian Curriculum and is completed for one single session per week in Terms 2 and 3.

Topics covered include a personal fitness plan, respectful relationships, improving and maintaining mental health and the harmful effects of smoking and alcohol. Students are to bring a workbook and pens to health classes.

Italian

Begin your Italian journey by learning and being involved in the exciting skills of conversation, reading, and writing in Italian. Students will use everyday conversation skills as well to be immersed in the rich cultural topics of food, family and sport.

Learn the Italian language with:

• Up-to-date educational materials

• Multimedia resources

• Learn through practice using games and roleplays

Music

In Year 8 Music students will study and learn the following key units of work:

• History of Rock Music, in particular the history of Blues Music.

• Learn how to play the 12 bar blues on guitar, bass and keyboard.

• Work in small groups to perform a piece on instruments chosen by the students.

• Basic composition and computer music software techniques to create their own music piece.

• Basic musicianship skills: analysis of music, listening, aural and theory skills.

Drama

In Year 8 Drama students develop an understanding of the skills required for building scripts and physical comedy. They develop their understanding of how to progress a scene and not stall the action. They have also work in their groups to devise a group performance to demonstrate their knowledge of playmaking techniques. Students are required to script, rehearse and present their work to an audience. Students further explore how to use expressive skills to develop engaging characters through a range of styles including slapstick, farce, parody and satire.

Visual Communication and Design Course information

Wood Technology

Year 8 wood students are introduced to a range of woodworking skills and processes. They learn about the characteristics and properties of timber. From the design briefs provided, students develop and create their own design solutions for each of the products they produce. Students are introduced to design factors covering society, ethics, economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Students learn how to evaluate using the design process to develop and improve future design solutions.

Common Assessment Tasks: Phone holder - introduction to hand tools and sawing, Bread board - Laminating timber, Container, or box- introduction to joinery.