HOMEWORK/INDEPENDENT LEARNING FOR YEAR 8
Autumn Term (Deadline Friday 5th December 2014)
Each department has set one ‘optional’ piece of extended learning / homework per term for all students in year 8. This homework is
generic, i.e. it is not linked to a particular lesson, so it can be done at anytime during the term. The deadline for these pieces of work is
Friday 5th December 2014, but it can be handed in to the relevant class teacher before that time.
The homework in the green section is generally for students in set 3 or 4. The homework in the yellow section is for set 2 and the
homework in the red section is for set 1. However, students in the lower sets are encouraged to ‘have a go’ at the yellow and red
sections. Remember ‘No Glass Ceilings!’
This optional homework is designed to either stretch students to level 6, 7 and 8, which are levels that focus on analysis, evaluation or
creativity or it is designed to develop personal, learning and thinking skills (PLTS). Students in any set can attempt these projects and
help from parents is encouraged.
If a student does a task to a basic standard they will be rewarded with 1 or 2 house points from the subject teacher because every piece
is optional. However, if a student attempts any piece of optional homework with a ‘degree of seriousness’ he or she will automatically
receive 5 House Points which they must collect from the subject teacher. They will also gain extra points for their ‘House’ in a separate
competition. A record of achievement will also be kept for those students who have produced the most optional homework. Any student
completing 4 or more pieces will receive a certificate.
Students who are judged to have produced the top three best pieces of work will receive special rewards.
REMEMBER TO AIM HIGH
HOMEWORK/INDEPENDENT LEARNING FOR YEAR 8
Autumn Term (Deadline Friday 5th December 2014)
This work is usually for students in Sets 3 or 4, but these students are encouraged to attempt the work in the yellow and red
sections.
History
Were the Tudors the best ever Monarch of England? Report this any way you want. You could do a thought board, a video, a booklet or even
build a coat of arms that shows the good and the bad about the Tudors.
Geography
What will happen if the population continues to grow?
Think about why population grows, why happens when a country becomes over populated? How will the world have to change to cope with a
growing population? You can present this in any form (video/shoebox/collage/written). The more creative the better!
Science
Investigate how plants grow in different conditions. You will need to write up your investigation which should include:
Your method (making sure that the results you produce are valid - fair test)
Your results recorded clearly
Your conclusion
English
After reading a Renaissance Reading book create a comic strip showing part of the story.
Art
Make a piece of Art that relates to your environment. This could be about the area you live in or the wider environment, looking at an issue you
think is important such as pollution or famine. The work could be 2D or 3D.
French
Either produce a poster by hand or by using IT to describe what your local area is like. You should label all buildings in French e.g boulangerie
( Bakery)
Maths
Produce a teaching aid such as a Power Point or video to teach a topic of your own choice that you have been learning about in lessons.
HOMEWORK/INDEPENDENT LEARNING FOR YEAR 8
PE
Autumn Term (Deadline Friday 5th December 2014)
Safety in Sport
‘DR. ABC’ is a common way of remembering the First Aid response when someone is requiring emergency assistance.
State what each letter – D, R, A, B, C – stands for and give a brief description of what you need to do for each.
Technology
Research and write up the design development of mobile phones since the first products became available in the late 80’s. Show dates,
timelines, photos, explain features/developments and sight examples of brands or designers.
Then answer the following question: Explain the technology development which has enabled current phones and tablets to be so thin?
Performing
Arts
Make a DVD or CD recording of yourself performing. This can be a dance, drama or music performance.
Cultural
Studies
Find a news story that shows something that someone has done that is wrong create a story board about it
ICT
An Impending Disaster
There have been a lot of movies released recently by Hollywood which focus on disasters striking the earth.
 The Day After Tomorrow
 Independence Day
 Deep Impact
 Armageddon
Your task:
Use the Internet to help you answer the following questions:
Has the Earth ever been hit by an asteroid?
What effect did it have on the Earth?
When is an asteroid next predicted to hit the Earth?
Find a picture of Haley's comet
How did Haley's comet get its name?
How many years does it take for Haley's comet to come by the Earth? When is it next due to pass?
What is Roswell famous for?
What year was the Roswell incident supposed to have happened in?
What is 'global warming'?
What are the predictions that are being made about global warming?
What year was 'Independence Day' released?
Who were the leading actors in 'The day after tomorrow'?
Devise five webquest questions of your own and find the answers.
HOMEWORK/INDEPENDENT LEARNING FOR YEAR 8
Autumn Term (Deadline Friday 5th December 2014)
This work is usually for students in Set 2 but these students are encouraged to attempt the work in the red sections.
History
Were the Tudors the best ever Monarch of England? Report this any way you want. You could do a thought board, a video, a booklet or even
build a coat of arms that shows the good and the bad about the Tudors.
Geography
What will happen if the population continues to grow?
Think about why population grows, why happens when a country becomes over populated? How will the world have to change to cope with a
growing population? You can present this in any form (video/shoebox/collage/written). The more creative the better!
Science
Investigate how plants grow in different conditions. You will need to write up your investigation which should include:
Your method (making sure that the results you produce are valid - fair test)
Your results recorded clearly
Your conclusion
Analyse your results to suggest why different crops are grown in different parts of the world
Ask your teacher which of the below is appropriate for you. Either:
English
After reading a Renaissance Reading book create a comic strip showing part of the story.
OR
Write a review of your Renaissance Reading book that will persuade another student to read the book.
Art
Make a piece of Art that relates to your environment. This could be about the area you live in or the wider environment, looking at an issue you
think is important such as pollution or famine. The work could be 2D or 3D. You should show experimentation with your materials and develop a
range of ideas for your piece of Art.
German
Create a poster imagining that you are a celebrity. Give your name, age, you birthday and say what country you come from.
Either produce a poster by hand or by using IT to describe what your local area is like. You should label all buildings in French e.g boulangerie
( Bakery)
French
HOMEWORK/INDEPENDENT LEARNING FOR YEAR 8
Autumn Term (Deadline Friday 5th December 2014)
Spanish
Create an alphabet poster with a different Spanish word for each of the letters A-Z eg A= armario (wardrobe). You can use a dictionary if you
would like to.
Maths
Produce a teaching aid such as a Power Point or video to teach a topic of your own choice that you have been learning about in lessons.
PE
Safety in Sport
‘DR. ABC’ is a common way of remembering the First Aid response when someone is requiring emergency assistance. State what each letter –
D, R, A, B, C – stands for and give a brief description of what you need to do for each.
Describe how to put someone into the Recovery Position.
Pictures and/or diagrams are needed for a good piece.
Technology
Research and write up the design development of mobile phones since the first products became available in the late 80’s. Show dates,
timelines, photos, explain features/developments and sight examples of brands or designers.
Then answer the following question: Explain the technology development which has enabled current phones and tablets to be so thin?
Performing
Arts
Compose your own song, choreograph a dance or devise a piece of drama and then record it onto CD or DVD.
Cultural
Studies
Complete the green task plus
Explain how a Christian would want the person to change and behave differently.
HOMEWORK/INDEPENDENT LEARNING FOR YEAR 8
ICT
Autumn Term (Deadline Friday 5th December 2014)
An Impending Disaster
There have been a lot of movies released recently by Hollywood which focus on disasters striking the earth.
 The Day After Tomorrow
 Independence Day
 Deep Impact
 Armageddon
Your task:
Use the Internet to help you answer the following questions:
Has the Earth ever been hit by an asteroid?
What effect did it have on the Earth?
When is an asteroid next predicted to hit the Earth?
Find a picture of Haley's comet
How did Haley's comet get its name?
How many years does it take for Haley's comet to come by the Earth? When is it next due to pass?
What is Roswell famous for?
What year was the Roswell incident supposed to have happened in?
What is 'global warming'?
What are the predictions that are being made about global warming?
What year was 'Independence Day' released?
Who were the leading actors in 'The day after tomorrow'?
Devise five webquest questions of your own and find the answers
Create a factual Powerpoint Presentation on the above for a 12 year old – think about audience, style and consistency.
HOMEWORK/INDEPENDENT LEARNING FOR YEAR 8
Autumn Term (Deadline Friday 5th December 2014)
This work is usually for students in Set 1.
History
Were the Tudors the best ever Monarch of England? Report this any way you want. You could do a thought board, a video, a booklet or even
build a coat of arms that shows the good and the bad about the Tudors.
Geography
What will happen if the population continues to grow?
Think about why population grows, why happens when a country becomes over populated? How will the world have to change to cope with a
growing population? You can present this in any form (video/shoebox/collage/written). The more creative the better!
Science
Investigate how plants grow in different conditions. You will need to write up your investigation which should include:
Your method (making sure that the results you produce are valid - fair test)
Your results recorded clearly
Your conclusion
Analyse your results to suggest why different crops are grown in different parts of the world.
Research the differences between Cereal and Pseudocereal crops. Include the differences, the major areas in the world where they are grown
and give examples.
English
Write a review of your Renaissance Reading book that will persuade another student to read the book.
Art
Make a piece of Art that relates to your environment. This could be about the area you live in or the wider environment, looking at an issue you
think is important such as pollution or famine. The work could be 2D or 3D. You should show experimentation with your materials and develop a
range of ideas for your piece of Art. You should collect a variety of resources to inspire your work; these could be newspaper articles,
photographs or images of other Artists’ work. Preparatory work should be annotated showing clear understanding and evaluation of techniques
and informed opinions.
German
Create a poster imagining that you are a celebrity. Give your name, age, you birthday and say what country you come from. You could also say
who is in your family and provide some information about them.
French
Either produce a poster by hand or by using IT to describe what your local area is like. You should label all buildings in French e.g boulangerie
( Bakery)
HOMEWORK/INDEPENDENT LEARNING FOR YEAR 8
Autumn Term (Deadline Friday 5th December 2014)
Spanish
Create a fact file for a young celebrity. Give their name, age, and say what they study at school. It does not have to be the truth and can be a bit
unusual
Maths
Produce a teaching aid such as a Power Point or video to teach a topic of your own choice that you have been learning about in lessons.
PE
Safety in Sport
‘DR. ABC’ is a common way of remembering the First Aid response when someone is requiring emergency assistance. State what each letter –
D, R, A, B, C – stands for and give a brief description of what you need to do for each.
Describe how to put someone into the Recovery Position.
Pictures and/or diagrams are needed for a good piece.
Technology
Research and write up the design development of mobile phones since the first products became available in the late 80’s. Show dates,
timelines, photos, explain features/developments and sight examples of brands or designers.
Then answer the following question: Explain the technology development which has enabled current phones and tablets to be so thin?
Performing
Arts
Make a video diary of your involvement in a Performing Arts activity: for example a drama group, choir, dance class, music lessons etc.
Cultural
Studies
Explain what a Christian believes about heaven, hell or purgatory and link this to the need to change for the better.
HOMEWORK/INDEPENDENT LEARNING FOR YEAR 8
ICT
Autumn Term (Deadline Friday 5th December 2014)
An Impending Disaster
There have been a lot of movies released recently by Hollywood which focus on disasters striking the earth.
 The Day After Tomorrow
 Independence Day
 Deep Impact
 Armageddon
Your task:
Use the Internet to help you answer the following questions (make a list of the website you have used.
Has the Earth ever been hit by an asteroid?
What effect did it have on the Earth?
When is an asteroid next predicted to hit the Earth?
Find a picture of Haley's comet
How did Haley's comet get its name?
How many years does it take for Haley's comet to come by the Earth? When is it next due to pass?
What is Roswell famous for?
What year was the Roswell incident supposed to have happened in?
What is 'global warming'?
What are the predictions that are being made about global warming?
What year was 'Independence Day' released?
Who were the leading actors in 'The day after tomorrow'?
Create a factual Powerpoint Presentation on the above for a 12 year old – think about audience, style and consistency.
Evaluate the websites you have used in terms of:
Accuracy – is the resource accurate?
Bias – could the material be biased?
Up-to-date.