Arbroath AcademySecond Year

S3 Course Choices

2019-20

Introduction to S3 Course Choice

Course choice is an important part of preparations for starting S3 in Arbroath Academy. By the end of S2 all pupils will have experienced a Broad General Education covering all Curriculum for Excellence Third Level Outcomes. This Broad General Education continues in S3, but at this stage, it is important to offer some choice so that pupils are able to focus more on their own strengths, interests and abilities at CfE Level Four.

In this booklet there are descriptions of every subject available. The BGE offered in S3 provides a sound basis on which all pupils will enter the Senior phase in S4 and work towards their National Qualifications.

Course Options Form

All S3 pupils are entitled to experience all Curricular areas. Therefore, the following subjects are compulsory:

English Maths Modern Language Religious Education Core Physical Education Lifeskills Science

Across the four other Curricular areas (Social Studies; Expressive Arts; Technology) pupils may choose a further five subjects.

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S2 to S3 Subject Index

Administration & IT 4

Art and Design 4

Biology 5

Business 5

Chemistry 6

Computing Science 7

Design and Manufacture 8

English

Fashion and Textiles

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Geography 11

Graphic Communication 12

History 12

Home Economics 13

Lifeskills 13

Mathematics 14

Modern Languages 15

Music

Music with Technology

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Physical Education 17

Physics 17

Practical Woodwork 18

Core RME 18

RMPS 19

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Administration and IT

Every organisation, no matter how small, is supported by people performing administrative tasks.

Administration and IT aims to develop employability skills in learners and allows them to gain an understanding of the personal qualities and attributes required of people involved in providing administrative support.

Developing essential IT skills will stand learners in good stead regardless of the career path they ultimately choose and thus learners will be able to play their part in the economic and social life of the 21st century effectively.

Topics include:

Customer Care Health & Safety Employment Legislation Use of office software (spreadsheet, database, word processing) Communication (gathering and sharing information) Organising Events

Career?Included but not limited to; Administrative Assistant, Business Analyst, Clerical Officer, Customer Support, Data Analyst

Art and Design

In S3 pupils will follow a broad skills based course which will form the foundation for National 4 or National 5 courses in Art and Design in S4. The course covers both traditional art and design techniques and modern cutting edge digital image making and manipulation.

Pupils will learn:

to experiment with the visual elements using a range of media to produce drawings and colour studies.

to handle materials with control and assurance to create still life paintings. some basic skills to manipulate images in Photoshop. some basic photography skills. to work through the design process to communicate imaginative and original

graphic, illustration and textile design solutions. to use skills and creativity to generate original ideas in expressive and design

work. to express and communicate your thoughts and feelings through your art and

design work. to analyse and make informed judgments about the work of artists and

designers.

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skills which can be applied to other areas of the curriculum

Biology Biology, the study of living organisms, plays a crucial role in our everyday existence, and is an increasingly important subject in the modern world. You will develop the skills of scientific inquiry and investigation using practical techniques. You will also recognise the impact the sciences have on your life, the lives of others, the environment and society. Throughout the course you will be able to express opinions and make decisions on social, moral, ethical, economic and environmental issues based upon sound understanding. The overall theme of the course is to allow you to develop an understanding of the living world and your role in it.

The S3 Biology course is divided into three Units at CfE level 3 and 4.

In Unit 1- Cell Biology you will learn about: Cell structure and function Cell Division Enzymes and Microorganisms Inheritance

In Unit 2 - Multicellular Organisms you will learn about: Sexual and asexual reproduction and their importance for survival of species. Propagating plants. Growth and development of different organisms. Biological actions and responses to maintain stable body conditions.

In Unit 3 – Skills Unit you will gain experience in: Researching topical biological issues Practical lab skills Investigation design and write up

Business

Businesses play an important role in society and we all rely on them to create wealth, prosperity and jobs.

The Business & Enterprise course aims to develop enterprise and employability skills in learners and allows them to gain a better understanding of the personal qualities and attributes required of people involved in business.

During the course learners will develop an understanding of the importance of satisfying customers’ needs in business and how this can be done best by managing activities such as finance, marketing, people and operations (production).

The course will include practical activities based on real life business contexts which will

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help learners develop their enterprise skills and attitudes as well as understand the effects that financial matters and other internal influences have on business planning and decision making.

Topics include:

How small businesses operate. How businesses satisfy customers’ needs and wants. How businesses manage their functional activities including Finance, Marketing,

Human Resources and Operations. Who and what can influence decisions made in a business.

Career?Included but not limited to; Business Advisor, Business Analyst, Business Development Manager, Chartered Accountant, Human Resources, Investment Banker, Data Analyst, Management Consultant, Marketer, Market Researcher, Project Manager, Stockbroker, Supply Chain Manager

Chemistry Chemistry underpins everything in the world around us, from the smallest particles and their interactions, through the creation of life itself, to the formation of fuels over millions of years.It is a pre-requisite in many courses and careers, from pharmacist, chemical engineer, food nutritionist and lab technicians, and an added bonus in many others including lawyers, sports scientists, opticians and fashion design.Studying chemistry can teach us many transferrable skills, including numeracy, literacy and problem solving, alongside the ability to work individually and within teams, and communicate our findings.

Pupils will continue to build on their skills developed during S1 and S2 through a number of different Chemistry contexts. These contexts include:

Unit 1 – Atomic Structure and Chemical Reactions

* Rates of reaction

* Atomic structure, bonding and properties

* Acids and bases

Unit 2 – Structures and uses of Carbon Compounds

* Fuels and hydrocarbons

* Manufactured materials

Unit 3 – Skills Unit you will gain experience in:

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* Researching topical chemistry issues

* Practical lab skills

* Investigation design and write up

Pupils will be assessed on project work, presentations, homework and written assessments as they progress through the course.

Computing Science

Computing Science is transforming the way we conduct our daily lives. It has made it possible to carry out banking transactions, check the news, watch a video and many other activities using a mobile device. It is a subject which is economically vital to the UK economy.

What will you learn?

You will learn all about modern and mobile computing and how it is used in society. This will range from finding out how to use and produce multimedia enriched Information Systems to developing programming techniques using different languages like Scratch and Visual Basic.

You will learn the skills required to prepare graphics for the World Wide Web, create and test programs, web pages, photo albums and investigate the underlying knowledge of associated topics like file types, file sizes, processor capability and storage media.

The experiences and outcomes for Computing will help you develop an understanding of the need for digital information in society and the different ways that information systems are developed.

Information is media rich and this unit has many activities that develop skills to enable the integration of different media, eg. graphics, sound, text and video to create websites, adverts, icons, logos and other digital solutions.

Presentation skills are covered in a variety of different formats such as radio adverts, short videos, animations, multimedia presentations and web portfolios.

Investigation plays an important part and pupils learn to compare different security software, computer systems and emerging technologies and consider their suitability for the world of work

You will also learn how to design and write programs in different programming languages.

You will learn that all applications are programs and need to be planned for, designed, implemented and tested. This is the approach that is taken to develop

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programming techniques and skills in Scratch. Some programming in Visual Basic will also take place so that a comparison of languages can be completed. As well as learning how to test that programs are working correctly, evaluation of solutions to problems will be covered.

This course leads to National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.

Career?Included but not limited to; Software Developer, Project manager, IT Engineer, Ethical Hacker, Computing Games Developer, Multimedia Artist, Web Developer.

Design and Manufacture

Purpose and Aims of the CourseThe Design and Manufacture course provides the chance for you to think and act creatively and in doing so, provides a situation which balances craft and design skills in an interesting and demanding way.

Unit 1: DesignThis unit covers the product design process from brief to final proposal. You will learn and develop your knowledge of the various factors that influence the design of products.

Unit 2: Materials and ManufacturingThis unit covers the process from design proposals to prototype. You will design ideas and manufacture them in wood, metal or plastic. You will develop practical skills as well as an understanding of materials and processes.

HomeworkPupils will complete regular homework based on current classroom work and theory. 

What can this lead to?Successful candidates in S3 will be encouraged to return in S4 and sit at either National 4/5.

Career?Included but not limited to; Product Designer, Interior Designer, Construction, Manufacturing, Property Maintenance.

This course leads to National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.

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English

All pupils will choose English in S3 and will continue to study the four key modes of communication:

Listening Talking Reading Writing

Pupils will develop their skills in these elements by studying literature and language as well as aspects of the media.

Pupils will also be preparing for their National 4 and 5 courses, and much of the assessment will be centered on ensuring that pupils will be presented at the correct level in S4. Assessments will include:

Critical essays on texts studied in class (poems, short stories, plays, films and novels)

Close reading of both fiction and non-fiction passages and extracts in both familiar and unfamiliar contexts

Writing tasks (imaginative, personal and discursive/ persuasive) Listening tasks which may also be audio-visual Speaking tasks which may be individual presentations, group discussions or

group presentations

Home Learning tasks will typically involve:

Personal research or reading for pleasure Preparation for assessments (including talks) Drafting or redrafting folio essays Close reading or language tasks

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Fashion & Textiles

This Course is suitable for all learners with an interest in fashion and textiles. It is particularly suitable for learners who enjoy experiential learning through practical activities and who wish to study fashion and textiles for the first time. It will provide an opportunity for learners to develop their skills and knowledge, develop ideas and follow plans to make basic fashion/textile items. The aims of the Course are to enable learners to develop: ♦ basic textile construction techniques ♦ ability to make basic fashion/textile items ♦ basic knowledge of textile properties and characteristics ♦ basic knowledge of a range of factors that influence fashion/textile choice ♦ basic knowledge of fashion/textile trends ♦ the ability to select and use relevant tools and equipment safely ♦ decision-making and reviewing skills

Particular emphasis is placed on the development of practical skills and textile construction techniques to produce basic fashion/textile items to an appropriate standard of quality. The Course will also help learners develop knowledge of textile properties, characteristics and technologies, item development, fashion/textile trends and factors that affect fashion choice. This Course will help learners to develop important skills, attitudes and attributes related to fashion and textiles that are transferable to other contexts, including problem solving skills and communication skills. The Course may also contribute towards the development of numeracy skills through the measurement of textiles and timing of production.

Examples of mini projects you will undertake are: a needle book which you will keep and use over the next 3 years! a cosmetics or technology storage case with a zip feature ‘Day of the Dead’ felt sugar skull, using hand embroidery techniques Halloween bunting using the sewing machine and hand applique ‘Mr Jingles’ the Christmas Elf, using traditional knitting skills

Progression RoutesNational 5 Fashion & Textiles TechnologiesHigher Fashion & Textiles Technologies

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Geography

Geography explores the relationship between the earth and the people who inhabit it. It studies physical processes and human interactions at a range of scales from local to global. In S3 pupils investigate a range of topics to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. Pupils will also be given the opportunity to develop and enhance fieldwork skills through investigating local areas.

Topics covered will include:

Our Changing Urban Areas – Dundee is changing every day. This Unit focuses on the features of the city, changes, and impacts of change, including the Waterfront development.

Population Studies – Why are some parts of Earth crowded and other parts empty? What are the future problems in the UK due to our ageing population? You will develop a detailed understanding of these issues as well as investigate the ways in which some countries have tried to influence population trends.

Hazards – focusing on Hurricanes in a developed and developing country (e.g. Typhoon Haiyan).

Our Fragile Environments – focusing on the human impact on the Rainforest or Tundra landscape.

Weather – exploring weather patterns and learning to predict the weather that affects our daily lives.

Coasts - focusing on formation of coastal features, land use and conflict on coastal areas.

Assessment

Pupils will be assessed in a variety of ways, from end of Unit tests, to projects, posters and other evidence for which clear success criteria will be given. Pupils will be encouraged to be in charge of their own learning through peer and self assessment, in addition to teacher assessment.

Homework

All pupils will be expected to complete homework in a range of forms in order to reinforce and develop learning, understanding and skills.

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Graphic Communication

This course will introduce the participant to communicating ideas and information through manual and computer generated drawing. Pupils will further develop their manual drawing board skills producing orthographic (two dimensional) and three-dimensional drawings, and also graphs & charts. They will be involved in the creation of computer generated drawings, many of which will be rendered to make them more “realistic” including drawings of room plans, buildings and other models of their choice.

If you want a career in Graphic Design, Engineering or Architecture and would like to improve your graphic presentation skills for college or university, then this course will meet your needs.

This course leads to National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher

History

S3 pupils will study a variety of topics to build up their knowledge and understanding of some important events in World History.

WW2 will develop your knowledge and understanding of the World War from 1939 to 1945. You will research important events and present your findings.

The Holocaust will develop your knowledge and understanding of the lives of those affected by genocide as well as the reasons for discrimination and persecution.

Germany 1918-1933 will develop your knowledge and understanding of how Germany changed from a democracy to a dictatorship with the rise of Hitler to Chancellor of Germany (New Unit replaces American West and Wars of Independence)

Space Race will develop your knowledge and understanding of the tension between Russia and USA in the 1960s focusing on the race to space and subsequent Apollo missions.

Each unit will use primary and secondary sources to develop your ability to understand sources? Is a source useful? What does the source tell us? How does one source compare with another? Pupils get to act as detectives, looking at a range of evidence, which helps to reconstruct events in the past.

You will be given study guides for each unit of work. Textbooks, pictures, photos, newspaper articles and DVDs will be used to develop your knowledge and skills in History.

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Home Economics

This S3 Home Economics course is mainly practical in nature. Pupils will develop their knowledge and understanding of Health and Food, Hospitality, Practical Cake Craft and Fashion and Textiles throughout the year.

Assessment

This will take place regularly as part of learning and teaching and will allow for naturally occurring evidence to be gathered in a portfolio for each pupil. Assessment will include a variety of approaches to allow for personalisation and choice that challenge pupils in relation to the depth of their knowledge, understanding and skills taught in the Broad General Education (BGE) Curriculum.

The purpose of these assessments is to allow teachers to gauge pupils progress with the BGE and prepare pupils for the assessment practices in the senior phase of National Qualifications.

Lifeskills

During S3, pupils will build on the skills and knowledge they have developed in Lifeskills in S1 and S2. As part of the Health and Wellbeing outcomes they will look at planning for the future, relationships and lifestyle choices.

Planning for the Future – Pupils will reflect on their progress and their skills and qualities in preparation for making subject choices. They will be encouraged to identify their strengths and their next steps. They will explore how their learning links to different careers to help them make informed choices. All pupils will use the World of Work website to explore career options and prepare for the future.

Healthy Relationships and Relationships and Sexual Health – Pupils will further develop their understanding of relationships and what makes a healthy relationship. They will be able to identify signs of an unhealthy relationship and develop the skills to manage challenging situations. Pupils will reflect on what love means to them and they will know how to keep themselves healthy and safe within relationships. The Young Peoples’ health worker will have input into the relationship unit.

Lifestyle Choices and Health - Pupils will look at risk taking behaviour and reflect on how their lifestyle choices may impact on their wellbeing. They will develop their research skills by carrying out an investigation into the impact of substance misuse on individuals and the community. They will further develop their skills in assessing risk to help them make safe choices. They will also consolidate their knowledge and understanding of the different risks associated with the internet and how to access support.

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In addition to this, pupils will explore their understanding of mental health and mental illness. They will build on their previous knowledge to further understand the factors that may affect mental health and the support services available.

Mathematics

The S3 Mathematics course is designed to prepare pupils for the transition into Senior Phase in S4. In S3 Mathematics learners will be studying courses that aim to build upon and extend prior knowledge, they will be actively encouraged to further develop higher order thinking skills and decision making to enable them to problem solve and integrate mathematical knowledge.

An emphasis will be placed on Numeracy, course work tasks and mathematical challenges to develop skills for learning, life and work.

Regular checks on progress will be made throughout the year using self and peer assessment as well as class and year group assessment.

Learners will be given the opportunity to develop their skills in:

Algebra and its applications Reasoning in real life contexts Interpretation of Data Geometry and its application in real life contexts

Most learners will enhance their learning and extend their knowledge to cover topics such as:

Trigonometry Financial mathematics

All learners should expect regular homework throughout S3 in addition to any class work that needs to be completed.

Progression from S3 will be into the appropriate National 4 or National 5 course in Mathematics.

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Modern Languages French, German and Spanish

Description

All learners will study a Modern Language in S3, but there is more opportunity for personalization and choice within this.

Pupils who choose to continue with French will continue to build on prior learning in S2 through topics such as: ‘My identity’, ‘My Community’, and ‘My Future’. The course will include a variety of interactive and collaborative activities covering all modes of communication i.e. Reading, Writing, Listening and Talking. Learners will also have the opportunity to learn more about French culture and relevant information regarding language and events in France and Francophone countries.

Learners in S3 may also choose to study German or Spanish which offers learners the option to transfer the language skills they have acquired in S1/2 to a new language. In addition, learners will have the opportunity to find out about many aspects of cultural life in countries where German or Spanish is spoken.

Most learners in all Modern Languages will experience units of work based upon the SQA accredited Languages for Life and Work Award which is specifically designed to equip young people with the skills necessary for future life and work.

Assessment

Learners choosing French will continue to work through Level 3/ 4 outcomes as appropriate and will also do some preparatory work towards National 4/ 5 qualifications as well as working through the Languages for Life and Work course (level 3/4).

Learners choosing German or Spanish will work through the Languages for Life and Work course level 3/4. Those interested in continuing German or Spanish into Senior phase, will have the opportunity to embark on National Qualification work.

Learners will be assessed in the four modes of communication on a variety of topics.

Home Learning

Home Learning work will be set to complement class work and will be a mixture of written (supported) and learning work.

Progression

Pupils who have chosen French , German or Spanish will have the opportunity to continue with these languages into the Senior Phase at National 4 or 5 level, depending on their ability, work rate, previous learning or attainment and level of interest/ commitment.

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Music←Performing

Pupils will develop their skills in 2 instruments and perform as part of class ensembles. The pupil will be able to choose their pieces from a bank of music that includes everything from pop/rock to classical. For assessment pupils will perform one of their favourite pieces at the end of the year.

Composition

Pupils will develop their composition skills over the year in the form of short projects. Each topic will have a project that involves composing instrumental music and songs in groups or individually. Pupils will have access to the very latest composition software used by professionals in fields such as film and TV scoring. There will also be an opportunity to record some of their compositions using recording equipment.

Listening

Pupils will learn about many different styles of music including Pop/Rock, Jazz, Blues, World music and Scottish. This involves listening to, and analysing music.

Music with Technology

The S3 Music Technology Course will enable pupils to develop basic skills in the use of music technology hardware and software to capture and manipulate audio. The Course also enables pupils to use music technology in sound production and to develop a basic understanding of significant 20th and 21st century musical styles and genres.

The Course consists of three components: Music Technology Skills In this Unit, learners will develop skills and techniques relating to the creative use of music technology hardware and software to capture and manipulate audio. Learners will explore a range of uses of this technology through practical activities. Understanding 20th and 21st Century Music In this Unit, learners will develop basic understanding of 20th and 21st century musical styles and genres, and of related developments in music technology. Music Technology in Context In this Unit, learners will use music technology skills in a range of straightforward contexts such as live performance, radio broadcast, composing for film, TV themes, adverts and computer gaming.

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Physical Education

Performance Development

In S3 pupils will follow a course in a variety of activities which will form the foundation for National 4 and National 5 courses in Physical Education in S4. You will learn:

How to improve performance in a variety of activities The factors which could have an effect on your performance How to reflect on your performance and how to use this to improve your skill

level To analyse and develop performance using a variety of methods e.g. Video/Apps Develop leadership skills for sport

Assessment Criteria

The assessment and homework criteria will be mainly practical based with some emphasis on theory to provide understanding.

Pupils attending the S3 Physical Education course will gain the necessary knowledge and understanding in preparation for the National Qualifications in S4.

Physics

The S3 physics course aims to introduce you to many of the topics (such as waves, dynamics, electricity, energy, space) you will meet at National 5, albeit not at the same depth or with the same level of maths. Most of the material that we cover, we link clearly to everyday life; for example why the sky is blue, why clouds are white and sunsets red, how your smartphone ‘thinks’, the smallest detail a spy satellite can actually ‘see’, how internet fibre-optic cables work, how airport body scanners work, why the biggest animals ‘on’ Earth are actually in the oceans, aircraft flight, submarines and much more. Practical work has included building loud-speakers, pin-hole cameras and doing dissections. (yes biology is guided by evolution, but it is very much constrained by the laws of physics) Along the way we – very gently – introduce you to some of the maths it helps to know for National 5 physics, as well as skills such as making graphs with Excel. Whilst some assessments are ‘tests’, the majority are challenging ‘open-book’ assessments; I want you to really engage with the physics concepts, not panic you or test your memory. As with any science, physics is not always straight-forward (and definitely not “just cars”) but the more you are willing to engage and get ‘stuck in’ with it, the more you will get out of the course. Whether or not you then go on to National 5, the S3 physics year should be a worthwhile and (hopefully) interesting experience.

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Practical Woodworking

Purpose and Aims of the CourseThis course aims to develop practical skills in the creation of products and develop knowledge and understanding of practical woodworking activities. This course would be a benefit to anyone considering a career in construction or building industries, as well as having direct relevance for DIY activities.

Units: Flat frame; Carcase construction; and Machining and FinishingIn all three units you will learn how to read drawings, mark out work pieces to given dimensions and safely construct projects within set tolerances. Throughout the course you will develop practical skills as well as an understanding of materials and processes.

HomeworkPupils will complete regular theory homework.

What can this lead to?Successful candidates in S3 will be encouraged to return in S4 and sit at either National 4/5.

Career?Included but not limited to; Construction, Building and Engineering trades, DIY, Joinery, Handcraft.

Core RME

All pupils continue with one period of Core RME in S3. Throughout the year we study the following topics:

Human Rights and Making Moral Decisions Crime and Punishment Capital Punishment

Throughout the year we will be thinking about how people make moral decisions and we look at a range of issues about each viewpoint studied, both religious and non-religious. Pupils will be challenged to think about how they make moral decisions and their own views on the issues studied. This course helps pupils to develop their critical thinking skills through analyzing a variety of viewpoints and evaluating these while drawing their own conclusions.

RMPS

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In addition to the one period of Core RME described above, pupils can choose to opt in to study RMPS. Throughout the year we study the following:

World Religion – Hinduism Morality and Belief – Religion and Relationships Religious and Philosophical Questions – Origins of Life Investigation of a religious or moral issue – pupils will research an issue of

their choice and present their findings in a Power Point or Word Document.

Choosing these additional periods will help pupils to develop the skills and knowledge required for the National Courses in RMPS in the Senior Phase.

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