S3 parent info term 1 2015 16

1. Stronsay School Parent Information
Term 1, 2015-16
S4
Dear Parents/Carers
Please see below some of the key topics your son/daughter will be studying during this term.
If you would like further information on any of the following, please contact the individual
teacher at the school.
S4 English – Term 1
 N5 text "To Kill a Mockingbird". In-depth study of the novel.
 Discursive Writing.
 Reflective writing.
 Debating; talking and listening tasks.
S4 Maths – Term 1
Expressions and formula
 Applying numerical skills to simplify surds/expressions using the laws of indices
 Applying algebraic skills to manipulate expressions
 Applying algebraic skills to algebraic fractions
 Applying geometric skills linked to the use of formulae
End of unit assessment.
S4 Biology– Term 1
Unit 2 Multicellular Organisms
 Cells, tissues and organs: Specialisation of animal and plant cells.
 Stem cells and meristems: the role and potential of stems cells.
 Control and communication: Nervous control and the Central nervous system, Rapid reflex
action, and Hormone control including Blood glucose regulation (Diabetes).

2. S4 Chemistry – Term 1
Unit 2 Natures Chemistry
 The homologous series: study of cycloalkanes, branched alkanes and alkenes up to 8
Carbons.
 Everyday consumer products: Uses of Alcohols and Carboxylic acids.
S4 Physics
This term we will focus on the students working on investigations and a National 5 Assignment
linked to examination criteria. This will include experiments on motion and an investigation into
road safety.
S4 French – Term 1
Citoyens du Monde (Citizens of the World)
 Where I live: Your local area : Things you can do in your town - Tourist information in
your local area.
 Town vs. the countryside: Advantages/disadvantages of living in a town
Advantages/disadvantages of living in the countryside - Comparisons between town and
country life.
 Recycling: Environmental advice - How to be environmentally friendly at home - What you
do to help the environment
 Importance of languages: The importance of learning a language - How another language
can be useful in a personal and professional context - Why speaking another language will
give you new opportunities
S4 RMPS – Term 1
This term in RMPS we will be looking at Social ethics.
S4 PSE – Term 1
Using current health awareness events including Childhood Cancer awareness month and the
“Genes for Jeans” day campaign to promote awareness and discussion of cancer and genetic
disorders.

3. Continuing work towards the whole school “Emotional Resilience” target. Exploring and
developing pupil’s personal coping strategies in order to work on managing emotions, building
positive relationships and structures for support.
S4 Health and Food Technology Term 1
This term we will be completing and assessing the unit Food Product Development. We
will cover the process of product development and look at the sensory testing involved.
This will culminate in an assessment, which will be partially practical and partially
theory. All students must pass this assessment to pass the course.
S4 Geography – Term 1
During this Term students will be involved in the study of the following topics:
National 4 Value Added Unit ( Weeks 1-3 ).
 Individual write up using results collected over the Summer Holidays.
Health ( Weeks 4-8 ).
 Diseases in ELDC’s.
 Diseases in EMDC’s.
 Malaria.
 Heart Disease.
 AIDS.
S4 History – Term 1
During this Term students will be involved in the study of the following topics:
Exam Style Questions ( Weeks 1-3 ).
The different types of exam question will be looked at; Describe, Explain, To What Extent, How
Useful, Compare, How Fully
Migration and Empire 1830-1939 ( Module 3 ). ( Weeks 4-8 ).
Migration& Empire 1830- 1939.
 The British Empire.
 Immigration into Scotland of Irish, Jewish, Italian & Lithuanians immigrants. For each
group consider:-
1) Explain why they came to Scotland.
2) Describe where they settled.
3) Describe the impact of these groups on Scotland.

4. S4 Music – Term 1
S4 – Classical Music/Solo Performing
The S4 music class will be learning N4/5 concepts in Baroque/Classical music. These concepts
will be a mixture of theory and historical terms which will form a part of their final Listening
exam later in the year. Each pupil will be able to define concepts both aurally and visually. A
short listening test at the end of the unit will determine pupils’ progress.
Pupils will also be continuing their studies in Performance. Pupils will regularly practise on two
instruments and this will culminate in a performance day where pupils will perform to each
other/teachers. They will self-reflect on their performance highlighting areas for improvement
together with aspects they thought went well.
S4 Art – Term 1
Continuing working on the Expressive Unit of the National 5 course. This includes drawing
individual Still Life objects using a variety of media, beginning to create compositions and
examining and discussing the work of relevant artists.
Context for learning: Investigating the work of artists including Michael Craig Martin to inspire
and inform own artwork.
Approaches to learning: Opportunities to further explore individual areas of interest within Art
and Design through taught lessons and independent work. Practical art making informed by and
linked to critical work.
S4 PE – Term 1
This term in PE, we will focus on netball and rugby.
S4 Practical Woodworking
We will continue to work on N5 Practical Craft Skills.