Year 8
8 English
Semester One
Students study a variety of forms of writing this semester. Critical thinking in the media allows students to develop skills in understanding the structure of arguments through their identification of persuasive elements. The creative response is an opportunity for students to experiment with writing. They respond to a variety of images and stimulus. The study of the novel 'The Giver' endows students with foundation skills in responding to analytical prompts. Students learn how literary devices are used to convey a narrative.
Semester Two
Students develop a creative story based on the themes of 'Treasure Island'.Students complete a letter to the editor in response to an issue. They study the film 'Bend It Like Beckham' with an emphasis on film metalanguage in order to consolidate students' knowledge of filmic devices and language. Students prepare for the Public Speaking Competition, completing a written speech and develop their verbal presentation skills.
Assessment
A range of writing forms including: essay, short answer questions; creative responses and oral presentation.
8 Maths
Semester One
Students develop their understanding of probability through use of two way tables, Venn diagrams and tree diagrams and calculate experimental, theoretical and expected probability of events. They are introduced to the positive and negative number field and use the four operations to evaluate questions using integers. Students revise their whole number and fraction operations and apply these to more challenging worded problems. They also study measurement and further develop their understanding of perimeter, circumference, area, surface area and volume. Students continued to develop their understanding of algebra by learning techniques of expansion, factorisation, substitution and transposition. Throughout all topics students applied their knowledge to solve a variety of problems.
Semester Two
Students explore linear relationships, solving equations using backtracking and inverse operations. They create linear graphs through plotting and sketching, and learn about the concept of gradient. Students study the topic of geometry which includes the consideration of angles, transformations, similar and congruent shapes. They continue to strengthen number skills by revising operations with decimal numbers and they explore financial mathematics by considering percentage increase and decrease, discounts. Students explore the concepts of rates and ratio, using these ideas to solve problems related to real life contexts such as best buys and speed. They use statistics to distinguish between populations and samples, carry out statistical investigations and display and analyse results using a variety of statistical graphs and calculations.
Assessment
Students will complete three CAT tasks per semester covering the Victorian Curriculum areas of Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry and Statistics and Probability. In addition to CAT tasks students will complete additional tasks as both formative and summative assessment. CAT tasks are a variety of topic tests, problem solving analysis, collaborative assignment or scenario based applications of the mathematics studied.
8 Science
Semester One
Students spend time studying living systems, where the students analyse the relationship between structure and function at cell, organ and body system levels. They consider the many ways that one form of energy can transform into another and how energy efficiency can be calculated. Students also investigate the properties of sound and light, and perform experiments to demonstrate these properties.Throughout the semester students engage in a variety of practical tasks to develop key science skills.
Semester Two
Students study the reproductive systems of multicellular organisms to gain an understanding of how organisms reproduce and how reproductive technologies can assist with fertility. They conduct multiple experiments throughout the chemistry topic, to aid in their understanding of physical and chemical change and investigate where they can observe these in everyday life. Students also recognise that sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks contain minerals and are formed by processes that occur within Earth over a variety of timescales.
Assessment
Students will complete two common assessment tasks (CAT) in each semester. In each semester students will undertake a scientific investigation as well as a variety of tasks which may include topic tests or a research project.
8 Humanities
Semester One
Students will commence their study in Humanities with a focus upon history, particularly Medieval Europe and Shogunate Japan. Students will identify and explain patterns of change over time; considering how these societies differed through the use and evaluation of sources. In doing this, students will be interrogating sources, engaging in interactive activities and roleplays, undertaking case studies and research tasks. Following this, students will explore the role of civics and citizenship in Australian society – tracing the rise of democracy to modern day legislation, voting and freedom of speech.
Semester Two
During the second semester, students will identify the different Australian landscapes and landforms; using a selected landscape or landform as the focus of their studies. Students will explore the impact of tourism on the landforms with consideration of the impact on Indigenous cultural sites. Students will also investigate financial literacy and urbanisation; looking into the intersect of population and consumerism.
Assessment
Students will complete two common assessment tasks (CAT) in each semester. In Semester One, students will undertake a source analysis and will undertake a variety of research/presentation based tasks. In Semester Two, students will be engaging in the construction of reports, design tasks, case studies and more.
The Year 8 Humanities course is currently in the process of being updated.
8 Language - French
Semester One
Students learn to describe towns, places, directions, activities, clothing and weather. They continue to build their vocabulary, as well as learning to apply rules of grammar such as prepositions and adjectival agreement. Students practise their reading and listening comprehension skills by working with short texts. They extend their writing skills from sentences to paragraphs. They practise their speaking skills, focusing on communication and comprehension.
Semester Two
Students learn to discuss holidays, travel, sports, leisure activities, parts of the body and injuries. They continue to extend their vocabulary, along with understanding rules of grammar such as verb conjugation in the present tense. Students further develop speaking, reading and listening skills. Students also deepen their cultural awareness of France and the French-speaking world.
Assessment
Students complete one Common Assessment Task (CAT) each term. CATs include speaking tasks (such as oral presentations, videos or roleplays), writing tasks, and listening and reading comprehension tests.
8 Language - Japanese
Semester One
Students build their skills in reading and writing of the basic hiragana script. They extend their range of vocabulary through the topics of cities and towns, weekly schedules, and Japanese food. They complete various communicative tasks around these topics. Students further develop reading and listening skills to interpret and respond to texts, and begin to write longer passages of text using the structures modelled in the textbook. Students learn additional kanji and implement these in writing and reading tasks.
Semester Two
Students are introduced to grammar and vocabulary relating to time, daily life and routine, school subjects, timetables, and activities. Students consolidate key skills involving reading, writing, listening, and speaking. They develop a deeper understanding of Japanese language and culture through classroom discussion and activities, tests, and project tasks.
Assessment
Students complete two Common Assessment Tasks (CAT) each semester. CATs include writing tasks, research tasks, and listening and reading comprehension tests.
8 Health, Physical Education & Sport
Semester One
Health and Physical Education aims to promote a healthy and active lifestyles now and in the future. The sport and physical activity classes focus on the important role physical activity, sport and recreation need to play in the lives of all Australians in meeting the national physical activity guidelines. Providing opportunities for students to be challenged, achieve personal growth, enjoyment and personal fitness. Students are exposed to a variety of sports/ activities in practical sessions during semester one including; athletics, softball, outdoor education, AFL, basketball and minor games. Through sport education, students will take what they have learnt in physical education classes and facilitate their own round robin competition, taking on the roles of coaches, fitness trainers, and administration. Encouraging leadership growth and student voice through movement.
In Health education, students learn how to take positive action to enhance their own and others’ health, safety and wellbeing. Students examine the physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions of health and wellbeing. Demonstrating a range of health seeking strategies that will support them to access and evaluate health information and services.
Semester One Health content explores: Body & Mind and Respectful Relationships
Semester Two
Students are exposed to a variety of sports/ activities in practical sessions during semester two including; fitness, cricket, gymnastics, badminton and European handball. Through sport education, students will take what they have learnt in physical education classes and facilitate their own round robin competition, taking on the roles of coaches, fitness trainers, and administration. Encouraging leadership growth and student voice through movement.
In Health education, students learn how to take positive action to enhance their own and others’ health, safety and wellbeing. Students examine the physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions of health and wellbeing. Demonstrating a range of health seeking strategies that will support them to access and evaluate health information and services.
Semester Two Health content explores Youth Health and Safety.
Assessment
- Physical activity and movement skills: Students will be assessed on their practical execution of skills and movement, their participation, application of individual and team strategies, ability to work in a team, understanding of rules and leadership.
- Health Education application: Students will complete one Health CAT each semester.
8 Music
Semester One
Students use their knowledge of the elements of music to investigate the origins of a particular artist and the characteristics of their styles of music. They analyse pieces of music in these styles, investigating the structure and meaning, and how the elements of music have been manipulated to achieve the intended emotion. They use musical instruments to learn and rehearse a range of musical pieces in preparation for class performances, demonstrating technical and expressive skills.
Semester Two
Students investigate the effect of music in film. They analyse the use of the elements of music in film scores and the effect they have on mood. Students use music technology to plan, compose and record a film score that includes music and foley and an intended mood. Students work in groups to analyse a contemporary genre and form bands that rehearse and present a performance in their chosen genre.
Assessment
Keyboard Skills: Students will learn to play a melody and accompaniment on the keyboard. Students will learn a new piece that they have not played before. Students in a Band Form will be assessed on a piece they have prepared on their band instruments instead of the keyboard.
Favourite Artist: Students will choose one of their favourite musical artists. They will choose one of their songs and complete a detailed analysis of the song and musical style.
Film Music Soundtrack: Students will compose and record a soundtrack to a selected excerpt of a film.
Rock Band: Students work in groups to form their own bands. Each band chooses their own genre to study for the unit. Components include analysis of a song, and explanation/discussion about the genre, band rehearsals and a performance of a chosen song.
8 Product Design – Wood
Semesterly
In this unit the students develop skills in researching, designing and producing wooden products. Students learn and follow the design process to make several woodwork pieces, and they document their design processes in their visual diaries.
Assessment
Device Stand: Students research, design and create a Device Stand for either a phone or tablet. Students learn about the technology rooms, safety, machinery and equipment.
Wooden Box: Students research, design and create a Wooden Box for a purpose of their choosing. Students learn about the technology rooms, safety, machinery, techniques and equipment.
8 Food
Semesterly
Students study food, environmental factors and sustainable food practices. They learn about safety and hygiene, the correct procedure on how to safely turn on an oven and stove top, being able to read and follow a recipe, work flow and time management, and the correct use and name of equipment.
Assessment
Students research and explore strategies to tackle the issue of food waste at home and develop resources supporting sustainable food practices. Students learn how to use the design process.
8 Drama
Students refine their acting skills using facial expressions, voice, gesture and movement to create character. They participate in workshops exploring characterisation, script interpretation and production design. Students work collaboratively to develop an interpretation of a script. In their performance the students will focus on maintaining commitment to character and communicating the meaning of the script through the application of production roles such as lighting, sound and costume. The semester’s learning culminates in a performance to an audience of their peers.
Assessment
Drama Performance: Students use their knowledge of the elements of drama to interpret a script, develop character, rehearse, and perform a play to an audience of their peers. Students design and execute production elements such as costumes and props to enhance their final performance. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of drama terminology and elements when evaluating their performance work.
8 Art
This unit involves the study of the art elements and principles, the art and design process and the production of final artworks. Students focus on a range of visual arts practices such as drawing, printmaking, sculpture and painting processes across the semester.
Assessment
Students focus on a range of visual arts practices such as printmaking, drawing, sculpture and painting processes across the whole year.