English

Length of Course : One year

Year 7 is the first year of the three year Key Stage 3 English programme

Course description and aims

The course is a combined literature and language course. Language objectives are organised into four main areas of English. These comprise the four language strands: reading, writing, listening and speaking, and language study. The literature course is aimed at exposing students to a wide variety of texts covering different literary genres.

Main concepts and topics covered

The broad aims of the course are to help students to:

● Explore ideas, texts and issues through a variety of approaches

● Recognise and understand main ideas, viewpoints, themes and purposes in literary and non-literary selections

● Write with reasonable accuracy using varied punctuation and sentences

● Organise and present ideas coherently with a clear introduction, development and conclusion with appropriate paragraphing

● Develop different ways of generating, organising and shaping ideas using a range of planning methods

● Describe and narrate events, express feelings and opinions in a variety of contexts in both the written and oral forms

● Develop in their own writing some of the key linguistic and literary techniques used by writers

● Develop critical thinking skills

Contents

The focus will be on the development of language skills and appreciation of themes, characters and writer’s craftsmanship. Thematic and formal links between texts and an understanding of the influence of cultural contexts on texts will be encouraged. In addition to empathy and discursive responses to the texts, students will write their own poems and stories in different forms. Students will be involved in oral presentations and dramatisations as a means to explore text and show their understanding. They will also be expected to read independently throughout the year.

Course outcomes

Reading Students will :

● Show understanding of a range of texts selecting essential points and using inference and deduction where appropriate

● Identify key features, themes and characters and provide textual evidence to support views

● Retrieve and collate information from a range of sources

Writing Students will: write in a varied and interesting way conveying meaning clearly in a range of forms for different readers

● Write sentences, including complex ones, and paragraphs which are coherent, clear and well developed; use accurately a range of punctuation, vocabulary and spelling

● Present work neatly and legibly

Speaking and Listening

Students will:

● Talk and listen confidently in a wide range of contexts

● Adapt spoken language to suit the situation and begin to use standard English in formal situations

Types of assessment

A combination of formative and summative assessments will be used. NC levels will be based on a variety of tasks covering a range of skills. This will be a combination of home and class assignments.

Methodology

● Independent research by students

● Presentations, paired and group work

● Dramatisation

● Project work

● Writing process of drafting, editing, revising

● Use of multi-media and IT tools

● Group discussions, debates

Text and materials

Autobiography Unit - Getting to know you!

Novel Study - The Bone Sparrow

Introduction to Shakespeare - A selection of extracts from some of his best works, focusing on Shakespeare's villains

Poetry - A selection of poetry focusing on the theme of growing up, including poetry from Carol Ann Duffy

Additional expectations

Students are encouraged to participate in the Faculty’s annual House Activities Week. Furthermore, in conjunction with the Library, students should benefit from interactions with the Visiting Author. In addition, they should be encouraged to participate in various challenges such as the PTA Poetry Contest and the International Week story competition.