Years 7 & 8 Curriculum - English

Year 7

When students join us in Year 7, they often find that English lessons are quite different from those that they have experienced previously. Our aim is to ensure that students retain and develop their knowledge about language and build on the reading habits established during their primary education. All students are expected to develop their independent reading and will be expected to read regularly at home and at school.  We study a range of texts from Shakespeare to 21st century novels, sharing our love of literature and language. The biggest leap is related to extended writing in response to texts; we aim to build the skills and vocabulary for inference swiftly by ensuring that this is part of everything that we do and the language that we use every day.

Year/Unit

 

Detail

Assessment

Autumn 1

Literature: ‘The Hobbit’

We begin by studying ‘The Hobbit’ by J.R.R.Tolkien. The emphasis is on the imagination and the techniques writers use to bring stories to life.

Reading response to ‘The Hobbit’.

Autumn 2

‘The Hobbit’ and creative writing (Opening doors to other worlds)

Students will read a range of extracts and consider visual images in an imaginative exploration of the symbolism of doors. The focus will be on developing narrative and descriptive writing skills.

On-going reading response.

 

Creative writing inspired by ‘The Hobbit’ and other examples from Literature.

Spring 1

Play Study: ‘Oliver Twist’

Following the study of theatre through the ages, students read a scripted version of Dickens’s classic tale, ‘Oliver Twist’. Students will research the historical context and learn more about Charles Dickens. They will consider how the techniques used by the authors of both prose and drama bring texts to life.

Reading Assessment

Spring 2

The Art of Rhetoric

Having read ‘Oliver Twist’, students are then challenged to argue that the character of Fagin is either a victim or a villain. The focus is on structuring a coherent argument and making effective use of rhetorical devices.

Spoken language: delivery of a speech

 

Writing: argue and persuade

Summer 1

Introduction to Shakespeare’s theatre

 

Year 7 Reading Exam

The reading exam will involve comprehension and analysis of an unseen text. Students will be expected to demonstrate the skills that they have developed throughout the year.

Year 7 Exam: Reading

Summer 2

Shakespeare and ‘The Tempest’

In the final weeks of Year 7, we focus on a Shakespeare text and the students prepare for a celebration of ‘The Tempest’ in our annual Shakespeare Festival.

On-going formative assessment

 

Year 8

By the beginning of Year 8, students are familiar with how to respond to literature texts and how to secure knowledge using a range of strategies such as self-quizzing. Students are confident with developing and discussing ideas and are becoming more accomplished with their writing. The aim in Year 8 is to develop students’ understanding of a range of literary genres and styles of writing through reading together and independently and through studying and imitating professional writers.

Year/Unit

 

Detail

Assessment

Autumn 1 

Mystery and Detective Stories

We begin by reading ‘The Hitchhiker’ by Anthony Horowitz and analysing the techniques used to build suspense. This is followed by the study of a range of mystery and detective stories including ‘The Speckled Band’ by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Letter writing

Autumn 2

Novel Study: Animal Farm

All classes read ‘Animal Farm’ and develop their understanding of the text as allegory. During the half term, they will explore the writer’s style by considering, language choices, characterisation, setting and structure. They will be encouraged to respond at both a personal and analytical level.

Literature response to ‘Animal Farm’

Spring 1   

Gothic Literature

Students will read a range of extracts and consider visual images in an imaginative exploration of the Gothic genre. The focus will be on understanding the writer’s craft and developing creative writing skills.

Narrative and descriptive writing

Spring 2

Poetry

The half term begins with the reading and performance of a range of poems and poetic forms. Later, students will focus their attention on ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ by Lord Tennyson. They will research context, analyse language, structure and form and will endeavour to learn the poem by heart.

The literature exam will involve a critical response to the poem, ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’.

Year 8 Exam: Literature

Summer 1

The Art of Rhetoric

Building on their experience in Year 7, students develop their understanding of rhetorical devices and are challenged to research and write a speech about an environmental issue of their choice. The focus is on structuring a coherent argument and making effective use of rhetorical devices.

Spoken language: delivery of a speech

 

Writing: argue and persuade

Summer 2

Shakespeare and ‘Romeo and Juliet’

Students will be expected to demonstrate the analytical skills that they have developed throughout the year. In the final weeks of Year 8, we focus on a Shakespeare text and the students prepare for a celebration of ‘Romeo and Juliet in our annual Shakespeare Festival.

On-going formative assessment

 

Enquiries to:

Mrs Chambers – Learning Leader: English (m.chambers@brookfield.hants.sch.uk)