English In Year 7, English lessons aim to cover all aspects of the National Literacy Framework across the academic year. Within this, learners’ work will cover the key skills of reading, writing and speaking and listening. Learners will analyse and create both fiction and non-fiction texts. Common assessments in each skill area are completed by all learners. Theme: The theme of this term will be ‘School’, introducing pupils to life in a secondary school and studying a range of text types related to this theme. Including diaries, travel leaflets, websites and YouTube clips.

Writing tasks Persuasive writing - a pair of letters to parents and Year 5 pupils persuading them to attend Maesydderwen School.

● persuasive techniques ● leaflet layout features ● formal and informal register

Narrative writing - a story or description about an aspect of school life

● descriptive detail; ● using a range of punctuation and sentence structures for effect; and ● vocabulary for precise meaning.

Group discussion - analysing poems about school

● collaborative working ● decision making - reaching agreement

Reading tasks The study of a range of texts (poems, extracts, articles, film clips etc. linked to the theme of school

● synthesis skills ● inference and deduction ● author technique;

Main Assessments ● Synthesis reading task ● Group discussion and presentation on school poems ● Persuasive letters ● Author’s technique reading task ● Story or description about school ●

Website:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/z3kw2hv

Maths

In Year 7, pupils will continue to build on the knowledge and skills developed during Key Stage 2, following the learning objectives from the Year 7 Programme of Study. The first unit studied in Year 7 is number, which will focus on:

Using number facts and relationships Fractions, decimals, percentages and ratio Calculating using mental and written methods Estimating and checking

The topic for the second half term is statistics which includes: Collecting and recording and presenting data as well as interpreting results Probability

Pupils will study topics at an appropriate level of challenge for their ability and half termly assessments will allow pupils to assess their progress. All pupils have access to Mathswatch, which is a set of resources including revision videos and practice questions. A weekly homework will also be set on Mathswatch. Homeworks will be set weekly on Mathswatch. The Mathematics area on the school website provides useful revision material including past papers, worked examples and videos. The Mathematics department Twitter account @MaesMaths is also regularly updated with information.

Learners will be expected to further their classroom studies by making use of the material provided online to

facilitate independent learning, in addition to set homework tasks.

Science The focus of Science at KS3 is to enthuse pupils in scientific ideas, develop their investigative skills through open ended investigations (where possible) and introduce key Science concepts that pupils will need to learn, understand and apply throughout their entire Science learning experience. Topics Assessed in Autumn Term: Science Skills: We will be learning about lab safety and will be developing basic skills that are vital to learn Science. End Product: Bunsen Burner Practical Assessment Acids and Alkalis: We will be learning about the pH of acids and alkalis, identifying commonly used substances that are acids and alkalis and investigating how acids and alkalis react react with each other to form neutral chemicals. End Product: Neutralisation Investigation Learners will complete a series of activities and homeworks each half term (theory and LNF based) leading up to the completion of a large piece of work, ranging from exam-style questions to a full practical investigation, known as the end product. The end product allows pupils to demonstrate their scientific skills and knowledge and are used to award levels in order to assess to assess progress made in subject knowledge, literacy and numeracy. There will be checkpoint assessments at the end of each half term. These will be based on classwork, homework, end point levels and end of topic tests completed before the end of each half term. It will allow us to target specific pupils. Help for homework and parts of the investigation work can be found at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zng4d2p

http://lgfl.skoool.co.uk/keystage3.aspx?id=80

The main LNF skills being practised are: · writing a comprehensive account of a topic · using varied and appropriate vocabulary and subject specific terms · draw conclusions from data and recognise that some conclusions may be misleading or

uncertain · construct a wide range of graphs and diagrams to represent data

I.C.T.

The focus in KS3 ICT is practising the skills required to plan, design, create and evaluate various types of documents using various software. During Year 7 we study: 1. Computing Basics (to help with other subjects)

● How to use their user area ● Google Drive & Classroom ● Keeping work safe

2. Sharing and Exchanging Information Module ● Safe and efficient Internet searching ● Reliability/bias and selecting safe information ● Emailing ● Begin to look at Internet Safety, the dangers of ICT and how it has impacted the world we live in ● Preparation for their extended writing to be completed during Spring term

The main Y7 Literacy and Numeracy Framework (LNF) Skills we will be practising are:

● use the tools and conventions of ICT to present information and data and to structure writing; ● use a range of reading strategies to skim texts for key ideas and themes and scan for detailed

information; ● assess the quality and reliability of information on web pages, considering who wrote it and when, (to

check accuracy); ● distinguish between facts, theories and opinions and use evidence to show the difference; ● write a comprehensive account of a topic presenting information clearly; ● use varied and suitable vocabulary, including subject-specific keywords; and ● collect data for a survey (through designing a questionnaire).

Main Assessments:

● Completion of Computing Basics and Internet Searching Student Workbooks ● Proficiency in using Email task ● Create a suitable document to inform others on the impact of ICT on society

Wider Skills Focus:

● Literacy (Oracy and Writing in particular) and Peer/Self Assessment

Good revision/practise materials available on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/z8mtsbk (BBC bitesize)

Cymraeg

In Year 7 in Cymraeg, the pupils will continue to develop the Listening and Speaking, Reading and Writing skills they started to develop in Year 6. They will study various topics designed to give them the range of tools needed to be successful in their study of Cymraeg and they will continue to build up their bank of vocabulary. Due to the new GCSE pupils will no longer be taught through themes but instead through skills:

● Giving an opinion ● Discussion ● Describing ● Questioning ● Persuasion

These 5 skills will give pupils the opportunity to discuss the 3 topics expected in the GCSE exam; Employment, Youth and Wales and the World. We aim to create more confident and fluent speakers and therefore strive to build a fun learning atmosphere. Pupils who have attended a Welsh Medium Primary School wherever possible are grouped together and follow the same broad themes but have extension work and tasks to refine Oracy, Reading and Writing skills with a focus on developing accuracy in grammar. To support revision we highly recommend pupils watch Welsh TV programmes and engage in any Welsh activities in and out of school. We also recommend the following websites: Useful websites: https://hwb.wales.gov.uk

http://www.cymraegailiaith.com/

http://www.ciwb.org

http://cymraeg.llyw.cymru/?lang=en

https://bbc.co.uk/cymrufyw

The last two websites are also very useful for adults learning Welsh. There are also many free apps available which are an excellent way to consolidate language learning. We encourage pupils to watch a wide range of Welsh language programmes catered for their age group on S4C eg Rownd a Rownd, Dyma Fi, #Fi. See listings on http://www.s4c.cymru/

French

In Year 7 in French, the pupils will continue to develop the Listening and Speaking, Reading and Writing skills they started to develop in Year 6. They will study various topics designed to give them the range of tools needed to be successful in their study of the French language and they will continue to build up their bank of vocabulary. The first unit will cover a variety of basics needed for the study of French (greetings, alphabet, school items, colours, brief conversations). In the Autumn Term, the main Year 7 Literacy and Numeracy Framework skills we will be practising are :

● use a range of strategies, e.g. speed reading, close reading, annotation, prediction, to skim texts for gist, key ideas and themes, and scan for detailed information;

● read with concentration texts, on screen and on paper, that are new to them and understand the information in them;

● use a variety of strategies and resources to spell familiar and unfamiliar vocabulary and subject-specific words correctly;

● make a range of contributions to discussions e.g. leading, encouraging and supporting others; and ● transfer mathematical skills across the curriculum in a variety of contexts and everyday situations.

Main assessments :

● Various short spelling tests. ● End of Unit 1 Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing tests.

Website to aid with the course: www.languagesonline.org.uk www.duolingo.com

Physical Education

The objective across all activities is that pupils should develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of how to perform effectively. Pupils will undertake fitness testing (Bleep Test) and further assessments in:

● Hockey ● Rugby ● Gymnastics ● Swimming

The Literacy and Numeracy Framework skills we will be practising are:

● planning, evaluating and analysing performance ● developing knowledge and understanding ● using keywords to expand vocabulary ● working individually and in groups collaborating ideas to improve performance ● using transferrable mathematical skills to score and estimate areas

Further information contact: https://hwb.wales.gov.uk resources http://www.youtube.com

Music

Pupils begin to develop their key music skills of: ● Performing - vocal and instrumental ● Composing ● Appraising and Listening

The topics studied this unit are African Music, Elements of Music and Rhythm. Pupils will develop knowledge of key rhythmic vocabulary, African traditions and build their basic performing, composing and listening skills on these topics. Pupils will develop their vocal performing skills through performing African songs and the 'Elements Song'. Pupils will develop their appraising and listening skills through completing a 'Bentley Test' to study rhythm changes, pitch changes and notes within chords. Composing skills will be built through writing a rhythm composition for African drums using ostinato patterns. Instrumental performing skills will be developed by performing Christmas music on the keyboard. Literacy and Numeracy Framework. Pupils will develop oracy skills through their work on African music and through commenting on pupils’ compositions and performances. Pupils will build their numeracy skills by composing rhythms, completing 'Musical Maths' starters and through working out the mode and mean averages for the peer assessment of composition work. Assessment Pupils composing skills will be assessed in small groups for their 'Ostinato Rhythm' compositions performed on African drums. Pupils will be assessed on their performance skills on the keyboard through an assessment on a Christmas piece on the keyboard. They will also be assessed on their vocal skills. Appraising skills will be built through commenting on other pupils’ performances and through listening work on the 'Bentley Test'.

Art

The topics covered in Art in Year 7 are ‘Bugs’. Through this theme pupils will develop their basic drawing skills and explore the key Art elements. They will also develop their understanding and use of printing techniques. Overall pupils will develop their understanding, investigation and making skills throughout the year. The main Year 7 Literacy and Numeracy framework (LNF) skills we will be practising are :

· present topics and ideas clearly using formal language; · respond to listeners questions and comment constructively; · transfer mathematical skills across the curriculum in a variety of context; and · use appropriate strategies for multiplication and division.

Main Assessments

Continual assessment of individual key class based tasks which relate to the level descriptors throughout the year. An end of year exam.

Some great examples of artists’ work and information can be found through the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRp706dolU4&t=1s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l92H1HVaPwA http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2010/05/12/jeepers-creepers-10-insanely-original-insect-inspired-artists/ http://illuminations.nctm.org/Activity.aspx?id=3533 http://www.coolmath4kids.com/tesspag1.html

Design & Technology

The focus in DT KS3 is to design and make a final product for each of the focus areas which are Resistant Materials (RM), Graphics (GR), Food and Textiles. The main Year 7 Literacy and Numeracy Framework (LNF) Skills we will be practising are:

· use tools and conventions of ICT to present information and data and to structure writing; · use varied and appropriate vocabulary accurately, including subject specific words and phrases; · prioritise and organise the relevant steps needed to complete or reach a solution; and · select and construct appropriate charts, diagrams and graphs with suitable skills.

Main Assessments: Food- · Pupils will gain marks for every practical task. Pupils will sit a test after the first unit on skills. · The design and make activity theme is “Afternoon Tea”. Pupils will gain an end of project level. Resistant Materials/Textiles/Graphics - · Pupils will gain a level for each part of their folder work eg - Research, Specification, Designing, Planning,

Making and Evaluating. · Pupils will then gain an overall level for the folio and practical task.

The projects this term will cover, general health and safety in all areas of D&T, the design and make of an afternoon tea and the construction of a pencil holder that will give them the basic skills and confidence to use the machinery and tools of the workshop.

www.technologystudent.com www.techitouk.com www.dtonline.org

Find us on Facebook @ Ysgol Maesydderwen Art, Design & Technology Department

Specialist Teaching Centre

The Specialist Centre provides a calm space where pupils can experience individualised and flexible

programmes of learning which are specifically planned to meet pupils’ varying needs. Pupils who attend the

Centre may have Learning difficulties, Autism or Social, Emotional and Communication Difficulties.

Interventions in the Centre focus on improving literacy, numeracy, wellbeing and life skills. The Centre provides

specific and tailored interventions whilst maintaining a close relationship with mainstream school and classes.

Literacy and Numeracy Interventions are individualised, specific, and arranged to meet the needs of the

pupil. The following are some of the interventions that are used in the Centre and have proven to be effective in

improving literacy and numeracy skills.

Rapid Plus & Rapid Writing - dyslexia friendly programmes designed to improve reading and writing fluency,

spelling, word knowledge and comprehension skills. www.rapid-plus.co.uk

Nessy Learning Programme - a computer based dyslexia friendly spelling programme designed to teach the

principles of phonics and spelling strategies for dyslexic pupils, and pupils with general spelling difficulties.

www.nessy.com

Toe by Toe Phonics Programme - a daily reading programme which promotes the teaching of phonics,

spelling and reading fluency. www.toe-by-toe.co.uk

Dynamo Maths Online - a dyscalculic friendly Maths programme that can be accessed in school or from home

to improve basic numeracy skills.

www.dynamomathsonline.co.uk

The Social Skills Programme is a flexible program to help young people build the social skills they need to

interact effectively with others and learn how to apply these skills to various real–life settings, situations, and

problems. The programme focuses on topics such as being a good listener, "reading" other people, accepting

rules and authority, relating to peers, and developing positive social skills. Each lesson places a specific skill

within the context of real–life situations and enables the young person to complete activities, think about,

discuss, and practice the taught social skill in and outside of the classroom. These Social Skills sessions are

not only important to promote self-care and sufficiency but also to allow young people to feel empowered,

improve socialisation, reasoning, and help develop healthy self-esteem and emotional literacy.

All programmes and interventions are delivered at the Centre in small groups or one to one. Staff seek to

develop close relationships with Centre pupils in order to maximise outcomes through intensive support and

teaching.