Parent letter secondary topics term 3 2018

1. Secondary Topics
Term 3 2018
English
S1 and S2
In English this term S1 and S2 are studying Writing to Inform. They will learn all
about:
 Facts, opinions and bias;
 Purpose and audience;
 Language and layout;
 Formal and informal language;
 Research strategies
They will read and evaluate a number of published non-fiction articles and leaflets.
The outcome for this term will be an information leaflet called "Stronsay for Kids",
which pupils will research and create themselves.
S3
S3 pupils are focusing on Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation. They
will read a range of non-fiction texts, including newspaper articles, essays, travel
writing and speeches, and look at the techniques and effects of the language used.
S4
In addition to Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation, S4 pupils are
revising the examination texts Hieroglyphics by Anne Donovan and An Inspector
Calls by J.B . Priestly. They will also be refining their essay techniques and
expanding their study skills in some colourful, musical ways so that revision does not
feel like too much of a chore.
Mathematics and Numeracy
S1
 Completion of Term 2 work
 Shape – Construction of 2D Shapes
 Shape – Angles and Angle Relationships of 2D shapes
 Number – Best Buy

2. S2
 Completion of Term 2 work
 Number – Circle Properties
 Number – Special Numbers (primes, factors)
 Angle, Symmetry and Transformation - Coordinates
 Ideas of Chance and Uncertainty – Probability
S3
 Completion of level 4/National 4
 Holistic assessment/Added Value Unit assessment
 National 5 Mathematics—Expression and Formula:
o Working with Surds
o Simplifying expressions using laws of indices
o Working with algebraic expressions involving brackets
S4
National 4
 Completion of National 4:
o Trigonometry
o Scatter graphs
o Preparation for added value unit
National 5
 Applying algebraic skills to graphs of quadratic relationships:
o Sketching a quadratic function
o Identifying features of a quadratic function
o Working with quadratic equations
Sciences
S1/2:
 Completion of Term 2
 Atoms, elements and compounds
 Hot and Cold
 Electrical circuits

3. S3 Biology:
 Cell Biology
o Proteins
o Genetic Engineering
o Respiration
S3 Chemistry:
 Atomic structure and Bonding relating to properties of materials
o Completion of Covalent and Ionic Bonding
o Chemical formulae
o Acids and bases
S3 Physics
 This term S3 will be completing their work on radioactivity by looking at the
half lives of radioactive elements and they will consider the dosimetry
equations required for calculating the dose of radiation as well as nuclear
fission and fusion. We shall then move onto our next topic of Dynamics and
Space.
S4 Biology:
 Life on Earth:
o Ecosystems
o Distribution of organisms
o Photosynthesis— Assignment
Social Subjects: Geography
S1/2
During this Term students will be involved in the study of the following topic:
Why do people choose to live in different places? ( 6 Weeks ).
 What is the Arctic Tundra like?
 What would it be like to live in the Arctic Tundra?
 What is the Equatorial Rainforest like?
 What would it be like to live in the Equatorial Rainforest?
 What are Hot Deserts like?
 What would it be like to live in Hot Deserts?

4. S3
Global Issues: Hazards . ( 6 Weeks ).
 Volcanoes (Causes, Impact, Management ).
 Earthquakes (Causes, Impact, Management).
 Tropical Storms (Causes, Impact, Management ).
S4
National 5 Coursework: (for those students working towards a National 5
qualification). 1 hour exam using information gathered during the National 4 AVU.
National 4 Added Value Unit: (for those students working towards a National 4
qualification). Processing and write up of information collected over the Summer /
October 2017 break.
National 5 Prelim: Week of 22/1/2018
National 4 End of Unit Assessments: Week of 22/1/2018
During this Term students will also be involved in the study of the following topics:
Global Issues: Hazards . ( 4 Weeks ).
 Earthquakes (Causes, Impact, Management).
 Tropical Storms (Causes, Impact, Management ).
Social Subjects: History
S1/S2
During this Term students will be involved in the study of the following topics:
 Civilisations Individual Project: (2 Weeks ) including choices from The
Ancient Egyptians, People of The Indus Valley, Ancient China, Romans.
 A History Mystery: (3 Weeks ).
This will give students the opportunity to:
o Develop skills of question formulation, deduction, reasoning, group work
and structured writing.
S3
During this Term students will be involved in the study of the following topics:
Module: The Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807 (Scottish Topic )..
 The Captive’s Experience and Slave Resistance.

5.  The Abolitionists Campaigns:
1. Origins of the Abolitionist Movement & its increased support within &
outside Parliament.
2. Role of key players in the Abolitionist Campaign, such as William
Wilberforce.
3. Arguments of the Abolitionists: - Christian, Humanitarian & Economic.
4. Methods used by the Abolitionists.
5. Defenders of the Trade.
6. Why did it take so long to end the Slave Trade?
7. Why was the Slave Trade abolished?
8. When did slave trade end?
S4
During this Term students will be involved in the study of the following topics:
National 4 Value Added Unit & Preparation for National 5 Exam Essay (5
Weeks)
 National 4 – Personal Project completed in class & at home. No
examination, internally marked.
 National 5- Preparation for a one hour essay conducted under exam
conditions, externally marked. Essay topic chosen by student with
guidance.
National 5 Prelim: Week beginning 22/1/2018.
Health and Food Technology
S1
 This term we will be considering Food and Health by looking at the nutrients
found within foods, such as carbohydrates, fat and protein as well as vitamins
and minerals and we shall be cooking a range of dishes that contain some of
these nutrients.
S2
 This term S2 will be continuing with their topic 'Skills in Food and Textile
Preparation'. We shall be considering; healthy eating and how to make
recipes healthier, cooking methods and how these can affect the nutritional
value of food and then we shall move on to look at bread making and produce
a variety of different breads each week.

6. S3
 S3 will be studying a unit called 'Contemporary Food Issues'. This will involve
looking at personal and worldwide factors that can affect a consumers choice
of food and technological developments in food. We shall also be carrying out
a range of cooking activities that are relevant to the topic.
S4
 This term S4 will be carrying on with their Assignment, which involves
developing a new product, testing its production, carrying out sensory tests
and finally evaluating the product. When we have completed this we will be
revising for the exam.
Practical Cake Craft
S3/4
 This term we shall be working towards the main practical exam. This will
involve designing a cake to fit certain criteria, making a time plan, producing
the decoration, baking the the cake and adding finishing decorations and
finally doing the evaluations. We shall then be revising for the exam.
French
S1
Mes passe-temps
Mon ordi et mon portable
 Talking about computers and mobiles
 Regular –er- vebs
Tu es sportif /sportive?
 Talking about which sports you play
Qu’est-ce que tu fais?
 Talking about activities
 Using the verb “FAIRE”
J’aime faire J’aime faire ça !
 Saying what you like doing
 Using « aimer » + infinitive
Ils sont actifs !
 Describing what other people do
 Using ils and elles

7. S2
Chez moi – Chez toi
Là où j’habite
 Describing where you live
 Comparative adjectives
Dans mon appart:
 Describing your home
 Prepositions
À table tout le monde
 Talking about meals
 Verbs BOIRE & PRENDRE
Il faut faire des crêpes
 Discussing what food to buy
 Il faut + infinitive
L’identité régionale
 Talking about different regions
S3
A l’horizon
Es-tu fait pour ce metier?
 Describing jobs
 Using masculine and feminine nouns
Le monde est un village
 Learning languages
 Using modal verbs (pouvoir/vouloir/devoir)
Quand j’étais plus jeune
 Saying what you used to do
 Using the imperfect tense
Ta vie sera comment?
 Discussing your future and your past
 Practising the future and imperfect tenses
Mon boulot
 Talking about your job
 Using different tenses together

8. RME
S1
 RME matters for learning about people’s beliefs.
S2
 Christianity booklet
S3/4
 Christianity then & now
 Death and beyond
Music
 S1/2 – Music in the Media/Performing
The S1/2 course this term will focus on Music in the Media and Performing.
Pupils will learn how music is used in many forms of media such as film,
television and radio. As well as listening and discussing characteristics of
these types of music, pupils will be creating their own backing tracks/sound
tracks to accompany text and images. Pupils will continue to practice their
instruments on level specific pieces. Teacher input will come in the form of
short discussions with the pupil and help will be given both musically and in
goal setting. Although there will be no formal assessment, pupils will be
expected to show improvement over the duration of this term.
 S3/4 – Music Literacy/Performing
This term the S3/4 class will focus on Music Theory and Performing on their
two instruments. They will learn National 4/5 musical concepts and be
undertaking activities/exercises based on music theory from the curriculum.
Pupils will also be continuing their studies in Performance. Pupils will regularly
practise on two instruments and will be encouraged to perform at end of term
services. In-class performance days also give pupils the opportunity to listen
to other pupils and comment on their performances. These performances will
be recorded.

9. PE
S1-S4
 Swimming
 Health-related fitness
 Volleyball at the end of the term
Health and Wellbeing
S1 and S2
We are now into our third term of this academic year, in health and wellbeing the
focus for learning will still be around the individual’s mental, emotional, social and
physical wellbeing. The programme this term will include work on:
 Target setting
 Winnie the pooh day with links to mental health and The Time to
Talk initiative in early February
 Safe internet day
 Careers
 National women’s week
 National day of happiness
 Heroes and role models
 Substance misuse
We hope to have the community police officer in school to deliver some of the
internet safety materials and to talk about substance misuse. The pupils will as
always be encouraged to celebrate success and look to the future in planning their
own next steps, through the use of their logs and target setting. S2 will continue to
have time to build their portfolio of evidence for the Achieve programme.
S3 and 4
We are now into our third term of this academic year, in health and wellbeing the
focus for learning will still be around the individual’s mental, emotional, social and
physical wellbeing. The programme this term will include work on:
 Target setting
 Winnie the pooh day with links to mental health and The Time to Talk initiative
in early February
 Safe internet day (Feb) *
 Careers *
 National women’s week (Mar) *
 National day of happiness(Mar) *
 Heroes, role models and values *
 Choices and future planning (mar)

10. We hope to have the community police officer in school to deliver some of the
internet safety materials and to talk about substance misuse. The pupils will as
always be encouraged to celebrate success and look to the future in planning their
own next steps, through the use of their logs and target setting. The S4 groups will
have specific input on stress management and assessment/exam strategy.