Helping at Home:  S3

TBC

English

• Ensure that your child reads for at least one hour per week

• Review your child's learning from class with them weekly

• Watch and discuss the news with your child

• Read and discuss quality journalism with your child

USEFUL WEBSITES

BBC Bitesize

Physical Education

• Parents should be aware that in S3 ‘core pathway’ pupils are split across different classes with varying focuses/pathways in the subject. These classes could be focused on developing:

• Motivation, self-belief, responsibility, resilience, communication & learning about the benefits of physical activity on their health and wellbeing. 

• Confidence, communication, leadership, problem solving, development of a wider range of skills and an increased understanding of theoretical concepts in sport.

• Developing an increasing complex range of skills, leadership, focus, resilience, decision-making, fitness aspects and an increased understanding of theoretical concepts in sport.

• Discuss what your child has been learning in Physical Education and any comments made within the progress statement of their written report.

• Educate yourself and your children on the vast array of benefits that can be gained from regular engagement in physical education/activity (see web links for further information)

• Encourage your child to prepare their bag the night before for their three days of PE per week.

• Have conversations with your child about a wide range of sports, discussing the physical, mental, personal and social qualities on show. 

• Encourage your child’s participation in one of our large variety of sporting clubs offered at lunch/after school.

USEFUL WEBSITES

National 5 Physical Education - BBC Bitesize

Physical activity - World Health Organisation

Why is exercise important? - Bupa UK

The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise - HelpGuide.org

Health and wellbeing in schools - Schools - gov.scot. - Government Policy on PE per week

Sport & Exercise Pathways (S3 Option)

• Discuss what your child has been learning in SEP class and any comments made within the progress statement of their written report.

• Have conversations with your child about the wide range of career opportunities that are available to them in the sport and leisure sector. 

• If your child has an interest in one of the career pathways being covered within this course then please take the opportunity to discuss their next steps and subjects they may want to study in S4 to gain them entry to further education/employment. 

USEFUL WEBSITES

NECSOL (college) Prospectus: Full-time Course Guide 2024-25 - North East Scotland College

Aberdeen University Undergraduate Prospectus: Undergraduate | Study Here | The University of Aberdeen

Robert Gordon’s University Prospectus: Prospectus & Guides | Study | RGU

S3 Business Management

·         All parents/guardians are encouraged to directly join their child’s Google Classroom to view their National 4 Business progress and to view completed/overdue assigned tasks.

·         If you are able, please provide your child with a pencil case, 2 highlighters, a diary/planner and a ring binder. We will provide jotters, paper and the Business textbook.

·         Encourage your child to keep their mobile device in their school bag throughout Business lessons; the classroom is an ICT Suite and your child has their own computer workstation.

·         Homework is realistic and posted under the ‘Homework’ section of the Google Classroom. It is important to complete any homework set to secure the National 4 Business qualification and to reinforce learning.

·         Check/discuss your child’s progress using their Skills Tracker on Google Classroom.

·         Engage in discussion with your child about the value of developing transferrable skills for the future (unknown) workplace/running their own business.

·         We actively encourage external partnerships with Industry. If you have expertise in the following areas: computing science/technology/renewable energy/offshore experience/Business experience and are willing to produce a ‘what I do’ 2-5 mins video to show to classes or come in as a Guest Speaker to talk and take questions, please get in touch with the school.

·         Please be aware that if your child is absent from Business & Employability class, they will miss a lot of explanation/understanding of the topic. The course is fast paced. To ensure successful attainment of National 4 Business please encourage class attendance. Level 5/National 5 Business Management will be introduced towards the end of S3 to bridge learning should your child choose Business Management in S4. 

USEFUL WEBSITES

National 4 Business course online: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47432.html

Bus Man National 4 BBC Bitesize:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z8xsr82

Maths

At home it would be helpful if you could:

• Stress to your child the significance of trying their best in every lesson and crucially, learning/retaining the key skills learned in class by revisiting topics through regular practice at home. How well they perform in S3 will decide which course is most appropriate for them in S4.

• Interact with revision materials on google classroom at an appropriate level, including useful websites listed on google classroom.

• Encourage your child to bring their jotter to school every lesson so they have a record of their learning and they are able to review their learning at home.

• Look out for information on google classroom regarding assessments and encourage your child to engage with the revision material available to prepare for their assessments.

USEFUL WEBSITES (in addition to the ones listed in the BGE S1/S2 section)

National 5 pathway students; 

https://www.national5maths.co.uk/n5-lifeskills-maths/

https://www.national5maths.co.uk/

https://maths.scot/national-5-maths

https://maths.scot/national-5-apps

https://achieve.hashtag-learning.co.uk/

National 4 pathway students;

https://maths.scot/national-4-apps

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zgm2pv4

Future Linguists

• Help your child to learn speaking and writing pieces at home

• Encourage them to look over and memorise vocabulary lists

• Advise them to spend short, regular periods of time using the recommended languages websites.

Languages Young Workforce

• Talk to your child about what their own skills and qualities are

• Talk about the world of work and consider future careers together

• Help them to learn short speaking presentations in the language

• Advise them to spend short, regular periods of time using the recommended languages websites.

USEFUL WEBSITES

www.linguascope.com (check with your teacher for login details)

www.duolingo.com

www.languagesonline.org.uk

www.careerpilot.org.uk

www.scilt.org.uk

https://barclayslifeskills.com/

Music

• Help encourage your child to practise their instrument at home where possible.  There are links to all the performing materials used in school on Google Classroom with helpful videos and audio tracks.  Ask them to let you hear what they have been learning to help develop their confidence.

• Talk about the music you listen to with your child and encourage them to listen to lots of different styles of music.  In S3 they cover Ragtime, Jazz, Musicals, Scottish Jig and Strathspey, Reggae and Video Game Music.

USEFUL WEBSITES

Chrome Music Lab 

Music Technology

• Ask your child to show you their completed projects where possible.

• Encourage your child to develop their creativity by using online programmes such as BandLab for Education, Chrome Music Lab and Incredibox to create their own music.  They should also use GarageBand if they have access to it.

• Look over their class website with your child and encourage them to use this to support their learning in class.

Drama

• Encourage your child to explore different genres of film/tv/theatre. 

• Encourage the viewing of live theatre as much as possible.

• Discuss different types of film and media with your child.

• Ask about the work and performances your child has been doing in class.

USEFUL WEBSITES

National Theatre Online

Digital Theatre

S3 Science

At home encourage your child to:

• Catch up on any notes missed using online resources, friend’s jotter or asking the teacher.

• Try different revision strategies, such as mind-maps or flash cards to consolidate learning

• Share what they learned with friends or someone at home, even a pet, as this helps make sure they understand what was covered that day.

• Set up a revision group with friends and meet up to share notes and test each other.

USEFUL WEBSITES

BBC Bitesize (Level 3) 

BBC Bitesize (Level 4) 

S3 Biology

At home encourage your child to:

• Complete homework in a timely manner. They will be a good way to test your understanding.

• Catch up on any notes missed using online resources, friend’s jotter or asking the teacher.

• Try different revision strategies, such as mind-maps or flash cards to consolidate learning

• Share what they learned with friends or someone at home, even a pet, as this helps make sure they understand what was covered that day.

• Set up a revision group with friends and meet up to share notes and test each other.

USEFUL WEBSITES

BBC Bitesize (Level 3)

BBC Bitesize (Level 4)

S3 Chemistry

At home encourage your child to:

• Share their learning with parents and guardians. They can ask you to quiz you on topics.

• Try out revision strategies, eg flash cards or mind maps, or read their notes, then shut their jotter and see how much they can remember.

• Complete homework.

USEFUL WEBSITES

BBC Bitesize (Level 3)  

BBC Bitesize (Level 4) 

S3 Physics

At home encourage your child to:

• Complete homework in a timely manner. This will be a good way to test their understanding.

• Catch up on any notes missed using online resources, friend’s jotter or asking the teacher.

• Try different revision strategies, such as mind-maps or flash cards to consolidate learning

• Share what they learned with friends or someone at home, even a pet, as this helps make sure they understand what was covered that day.

USEFUL WEBSITES

BBC Bitesize (Level 3) 

BBC Bitesize (Level 4) 

S3 DTEK

At home encourage your child to:

• Revisit classwork regularly to deepen understanding.

USEFUL WEBSITES

BBC Bitesize (Level 3) 

BBC Bitesize (Level 4)

S3 Psychology

At home encourage your child to:

• Revisit classwork regularly to deepen understanding.

USEFUL WEBSITES

Simply Psychology

UShare (via SQA) 

Geography

Topics

• • Mapping skills including research techniques needed in certificated courses

  • Physical Environments

  • Human Environments

  • Global Issues 

How you can help

• Engage in discussions with your child about the snapshot courses they will be experiencing this year. They will cover several short topics every 2-3 weeks introducing Geographical content and skills and embedding how to answer questions at National 3-5 level. 

• Ask pupils how they have done in any assessments or questions in class, what level they have achieved and what their personal targets are to progress to the next level. 

• Encourage them to ask their teacher if they need help in class or want deeper learning opportunities beyond what they have already learnt.

USEFUL WEBSITES

• • https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/education 

  • https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/map-skills 

  • https://www.nationalgeographic.com/ 

  • https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47446.html 

History

Topics

• • JFK 

  • The Cold War

  • The Jacobites

  • Snapshots

How you can help

• Engage in discussion with your child about the units covered in the class. These will cover a wide historical area and will be embedding National 3-5 skills. 

• Ask pupils how they have done in any assessments or questions in class, what level they have achieved and what their personal targets are to progress to the next level. 

• Encourage them to ask their teacher if they need help in class or want deeper learning opportunities beyond what they have already learnt.

USEFUL WEBSITES

• • https://www.archives.gov/research/jfk

  • https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/the-cold-war 

  • https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/jacobites 

  • https://www.youtube.com/@HISTORY

Modern Studies

Topics

• Hot topics 

• Terrorism

• Pressure Groups

• Added Value Unit (Research Project)

How you can help

• Engage in discussion with your child about the units covered in the class. These will cover a wide area and will be embedding National 3-5 skills. 

• Ask pupils how they have done in any assessments or questions in class, what level they have achieved and what their personal targets are to progress to the next level. 

• Encourage them to ask their teacher if they need help in class or want deeper learning opportunities beyond what they have already learnt.

USEFUL WEBSITES

• • https://www.bbc.co.uk/news

  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zwbhmsg/revision/2

  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zwbrjty/revision/7

  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zwbrjty/revision/4

  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zwbrjty/revision/10

RMPS

Topics

Pupils will be looking at a range of mini topics including: 

• • Medical ethics

  • Animal rights 

  • New religious movements and cults 

  • Ancient greek mythology 

  • Mindfulness 

How you can help

• Engage in discussion with your child about the units covered in the class. These will cover a wide area and will be embedding National 3-5 skills. 

• Ask pupils how they have done in any assessments or questions in class, what level they have achieved and what their personal targets are to progress to the next level. 

• Encourage them to ask their teacher if they need help in class or want deeper learning opportunities beyond what they have already learnt.

USEFUL WEBSITES

• • https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zwxm97h/revision/1

  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cjnwl8q4ny3t

  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006s6p6

  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/articles/zy24bqt

  • https://www.truetube.co.uk/

  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/groups/c0rx344r1g5t

CORE RMPS

Topics

• Morality - Conflict or Justice. Religious and  Philosophical Questions- Evil and Suffering or the Existence of God- All National 4 units.

How you can help

• Talk about topics such as what is morality, examples of moral issues, examples of  war/ conflict, miscarriages of justice, the death Penalty and the consequences it can have as well as examples of ethical issues in relation to these topics.

• Keep up to date with news in relation to these topics, such as examples of conflict in the world today, the development of weapons of mass destruction - focusing on arguments for and against these topics and laws around the world that affect these.

• Ask pupils how they have done in their assessment, what level they have achieved and what their personal targets are to progress to the next level- pupils will be assessed at a National 3/ 4 level throughout their topics.

• Encourage them to ask their teacher if they need help in class or want deeper learning opportunities beyond what they have already learnt.

USEFUL WEBSITES

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zmwxvcw

• https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47420.html

TBC