ACADEMIC

OVERVIEW

Durham School
Confidence for Life

Year Eight
Curriculum Booklet
Autumn Term 2024
English
Literary Study and Reading - Animal Farm
Know and understand how characters are constructed deliberately to shape and
create meaning.
Understand the dangers of power and corruption.
Explore the importance of critical thinking.
The role of propaganda in developing and sustaining totalitarian regimes.
Understand George Orwell’s context, especially his experiences in the Spanish Civil
War and the Second World War.

Skills
Reading
Compare, contrast and/or combine key points of information within a text, or in
spoken language.
Make inferences from specific evidence found in a text or in spoken language,
including specific vocabulary choices.
Explore a writer's or speaker's intention and viewpoint.
Express a critical response to a text through writing, discussion or presentation, by
considering the text's features and their effects.
Select relevant, focused evidence to support ideas.

Writing
Explore the impact of some of a writer's or speaker's choices of grammatical
features and sentence structure.
Explore the impact of some of the writer's or speaker's significant vocabulary
choices.
Gather and structure a range of relevant ideas before writing.
Use the presentational conventions of a range of forms, for a range of purposes and
audiences (e.g. academic essays, stories, scripts and notes for talks and
presentations), with confidence and understanding.
Use appropriate linguistic conventions to achieve a wider range of purposes and
address a wider range of audiences (e.g. to explain, to describe or to persuade), with
confidence and understanding.
Write in Standard English and a largely appropriate register.
Use a balance of single-clause sentences, coordinate and subordinate clauses with
confidence.
Use upper-case letters, end punctuation, commas, speech marks and apostrophes
correctly with accuracy and consistency.
Use grammatical terminology for parts of speech with some accuracy.
Mathematics:
Number
1.1 Calculating with negative integers
1.2 Prime factor decomposition
1.3 Using indices
1.4 Priority of operations

Equations and Formulae

2.1 Solving one-step equations
2.2 Solving two-step equations
2.3 More complex equations
2.4 Working with formulae

Indices
3.1 Simplifying expressions
3.2 More simplifying
3.3 Factorising expressions
3.4 Expanding and factorising expressions
3.5 Substituting and solving

2D Shapes and 3D Solids

4.1 Area of triangles, parallelograms and trapezia
4.2 Area of compound shapes
4.3 Properties of 3D solids
4.4 Surface area
4.5 Volume
4.6 STEM: Measure of area and volume
4.7 Plans and elevations
4.8 Solving problems with 3D solids and measures

Arabic A
‫اﻟﻘﺮاءة‬
‫ﻧﺼﻮﺻﺎ ﺷﻌﺮﻳﺔ ﺑﻄﻼﻗﺔ‬ ُ ‫ﻳﻘﺮأ‬.
‫ ﻳﺴﺘﻨﺘﺞ اﻟﻄﺎﻟﺐ ﻣﻌﺎين اﻟﻜﻠامت ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻴﺎق واﻟﺼﻮر‬.
‫ﻳﺤﺪد اﳌﻌﺎين واﻷﺿﺪاد ﻟﻠﻜﻠامت اﻟﺠﺪﻳﺪة ﰲ اﻟﻨﺼﻮص اﻷدﺑﻴﺔ‬.
‫ ميﻴﺰ ﺑني اﻟﺮأي واﻟﺤﻘﻴﻘﺔ‬.
‫ﻳﺠﻴﺐ ﺷﻔﻮﻳﺎ ﻋﻦ أﺳﺌﻠﺔ اﻟﻔﻬﻢ واﻻﺳﺘﻴﻌﺎب اﻟﺘﻲ ﻳﻄﺮﺣﻬﺎ اﳌﻌﻠﻢ‬.
‫ﻳﻮﺿﺢ اﻷﻓﻜﺎر اﻟ ّﺮﺋﻴﺴﺔ واﻟﺠﺰﺋﻴﺔ واﳌﻐﺰى ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﺼﻮص اﻷدﺑﻴﺔ‬.
‫ﻳﻘﱰح ﺣﻼ ﻟﻠﻤﺸﻜﻼت ﰲ اﻟﻨﺺ اﳌﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎيت‬
‫ﻧﺼﺎ ﻣﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎﺗ ًﻴﺄ ﻣﻌﺘﻤ ًﺪا ﻋﲆ ﻣﺼﺎدر ﻣﺘﻌﺪدة‬
ً ‫ﻳﻜﺘﺐ‬.‫ﻧﺼﺎ أدﺑ ًﻴﺎ ﻧرثﻳُﺎ ﺑﻄﻼﻗﺔ‬
ً ‫ﻳﻘﺮأ‬..
‫ﻳﻜﺘﺐ وﺻﻔﺎ ﻟﺮﺣﻠﺔ ﻗﺎم ﺑﻬﺎ‬.
 ‫اﻟﻜﺘﺎﺑﺔ‬
‫ﻳﻮﻇّﻒ اﻟﻜﻠامت اﻟﺠﺪﻳﺪة ﰲ ﺳﻴﺎﻗﺎت ﺟﺪﻳﺪة ﺗﻔﴪ ﻣﻌﻨﺎﻫﺎ‬
(‫ﻳﺴﺘﺨﺪم ﻋﻼﻣﺎت اﻟﱰﻗﻴﻢ )اﻟﻨﻘﻄﺔ اﻟﻔﺎﺻﻠﺔ ﻋﻼﻣﺔ اﻟﺘﻌﺠﺐ ﻋﻼﻣﺔ اﻻﺳﺘﻔﻬﺎم اﻟﻨﻘﻄﺘﺎن اﻟﺮأﺳﻴﺘﺎن‬
‫ﻳﻠﺨﺺ ﻗﺼﺔ ﻗﺼرية‬.
‫ﻳﻜﺘﺐ اﻷﻟﻒ اﳌﻘﺼﻮرة واﳌﻤﺪودة ﺑﺸﻜﻞ ﺻﺤﻴﺢ‬.

‫اﻻﺳﺘامع واﻟﺘﺤﺪث‬
‫ﻳﺠﻴﺐ ﻋﻦ اﻷﺳﺌﻠﺔ ﻋﲆ اﳌﺎدة اﳌﺴﻤﻮﻋﺔ‬.
‫ﻳﻔﴪ اﻟﻜﻠامت ﻣﻦ ﺧﻼل اﻟﺴﻴﺎق اﳌﺴﻤﻮع‬.
‫ﻳﻌﻴﺪ ﴎد ﺣﻮار اﻟﺸﺨﺼﻴﺔ ﺑﺄﺳﻠﻮﺑﻪ اﻟﺨﺎص‬.
‫ميﺜﻞ ﺷﺨﺼﻴﺎت اﻟﻘﺼﺔ متﺜﻴﻼً دراﻣﻴًﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﻠﻐﺔ اﻟﻔﺼﻴﺤﺔ‬.
‫ﻳﺴﺘﺒﺪل ﺑﺎﻟﺘﻌﺎﺑري اﻟﻌﺎﻣﻴﺔ ﺗﻌﺎﺑري ﻓﺼﻴﺤﺔ‬.
‫ﻳﺤﺪد اﻷﻓﻜﺎر اﻟﺮﺋﻴﺴﺔ واﻟﺘﻔﺎﺻﻴﻞ‬.

‫اﻟﻘﻮاﻋﺪ‬
‫ﻳﺠﻴﺐ ﻋﻦ اﻷﺳﺌﻠﺔ ﻋﲆ اﳌﺎدة اﳌﺴﻤﻮﻋﺔ‬.
‫ﻳﻔﴪ اﻟﻜﻠامت ﻣﻦ ﺧﻼل اﻟﺴﻴﺎق اﳌﺴﻤﻮع‬.
‫ﻳﻌﻴﺪ ﴎد ﺣﻮار اﻟﺸﺨﺼﻴﺔ ﺑﺄﺳﻠﻮﺑﻪ اﻟﺨﺎص‬.
‫ميﺜﻞ ﺷﺨﺼﻴﺎت اﻟﻘﺼﺔ متﺜﻴﻼً دراﻣ ًﻴﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﻠﻐﺔ اﻟﻔﺼﻴﺤﺔ‬.
‫ﻳﺴﺘﺒﺪل ﺑﺎﻟﺘﻌﺎﺑري اﻟﻌﺎﻣﻴﺔ ﺗﻌﺎﺑري ﻓﺼﻴﺤﺔ‬.
‫ﻳﺤﺪد اﻷﻓﻜﺎر اﻟﺮﺋﻴﺴﺔ واﻟﺘﻔﺎﺻﻴﻞ‬.

Arabic B:
Arabic B (set 1 )
Speaking
To describe some places in the city.
To describe places using a variety of adjectives.
Create complex sentences about places they visit.
To show understanding by answering questions.
To give opinions and reasons.
To specify places in the city using directions.
To talk about the activities he/she can do in the city.

Reading
To read paragraphs with correct pronunciation.
To show understanding by answering the questions.
To extract the nouns, adjectives, colours and directions.
To label pictures using the keywords of the topic (my small body).
To understand some details within the text.
To read and distinguish words and arrange them to form correct sentences.
The student can link some words and expressions he learned with related meanings.
To understand simple information in a text.t
Writing
To write an email or message to invite someone to visit a city.
To write and use some adjectives in Arabic.
To describe places in a house using a variety of adjectives.
To write sentences to describe, family, friends, city and home.
To write sentences or a topic he/she learned in class with the help of some images.
To write a paragraph about the city using present tense, adjectives, and connectives.

Listening
Listen and identify key information about various places in the city.
Demonstrate the ability to understand and recall details about different city
locations.
Listen to complex sentences describing visited places in the city.
Understand and extract information from detailed and elaborate descriptions
Understand and respond by expressing personal opinions on the places discussed.
Listen to information about activities available in the city.
Respond by discussing or providing details about the activities mentioned.
Listen to detailed descriptions of a house's interior and exterior.
Understand and recall information about the layout and features of a house.

(beginners)
Speaking
Count numbers up to twenty.
Use simple words and short, simple phrases to introduce him/herself.
Sing some Arabic songs related to the topics.
Name some places in Arabic.
Name family members in Arabic.
Name some transportations in Arabic.
Conjugate the verb Go with pronouns I/he/she.
Create meaningful sentences using places, transportation and family members.
Name some fruit and vegetables.
Create complex sentences about the market.

Reading
Read letters ( ‫ ي‬،‫ ن‬،‫ ث‬،‫ ت‬، ‫ ) ب‬with short and long vowels.
Read simple words consisting of ( ‫ ي‬،‫ ن‬،‫ ت ث‬، ‫ ) ب‬.
Read letters ( ‫ خ‬،‫ ح‬،‫ ) ج‬with short and long vowels.
Read simple words consisting of ( ‫ خ‬،‫ ح‬،‫) ج‬.
Read letters ( ‫ و‬، ‫ ز‬، ‫ ر‬،‫ ذ‬،‫ د‬،‫ ) أ‬with short and long vowels.
Read simple words consist of ( ‫ و‬، ‫ ز‬، ‫ ر‬،‫ ذ‬،‫ د‬،‫ ) أ‬and previous letters,
Read letters ( ‫ غ‬،‫ ع‬،‫ ظ‬،‫ ط‬،‫ ض‬،‫ ص‬،‫ ش‬،‫ ) س‬with short and long vowels.
Read simple words consist of ( ‫ غ‬،‫ ع‬،‫ ظ‬،‫ ط‬،‫ ض‬،‫ ص‬،‫ ش‬،‫ )س‬and previous letters.
Read letters ( ‫ﻫـ‬، ‫ م‬،‫ ل‬،‫ ) ك‬with short and long vowels.
Read simple words consist of ( ‫ﻫـ‬، ‫ م‬،‫ ل‬،‫ ) ك‬and previous letters.
Read simple words using reading cards.
Match familiar words and phrases to the right pictures.
Writing
Write the shape of the letters ( ‫ ي‬،‫ ن‬،‫ ث‬،‫ ت‬، ‫ ) ب‬in the beginning/ middle/ end of the
words.
Join letters ( ‫ ي‬،‫ ن‬،‫ ث‬،‫ ت‬، ‫ ) ب‬to form simple words.
Write the shape of the letters ( ‫ خ‬،‫ ح‬،‫ ) ج‬in the beginning/ middle/ end of the words.
Join letters ( ‫ خ‬،‫ ح‬،‫ ) ج‬to form simple words.
Write the shape of the letters ( ‫أ‬، ‫ و‬، ‫ ز‬، ‫ ر‬،‫ ذ‬،‫ ) د‬in the beginning/ middle/ end of the
words.
Join letters ( ‫أ‬، ‫ و‬، ‫ ز‬، ‫ ر‬،‫ ذ‬،‫ ) د‬to form simple words.
Write the shape of the letters ( ‫ غ‬،‫ ع‬،‫ ظ‬،‫ ط‬،‫ ض‬،‫ ص‬،‫ ش‬،‫) س‬in the beginning/ middle/ end of
the words.
Join letters ( ‫ غ‬،‫ ع‬،‫ ظ‬،‫ ط‬،‫ ض‬،‫ ص‬،‫ ش‬،‫ ) س‬to form simple words.
Write the shape of the letters ( ‫ﻫـ‬، ‫ م‬،‫ ل‬،‫ ) ك‬in the beginning/ middle/ end of the words.
Join letters ( ‫ﻫـ‬، ‫ م‬،‫ ل‬،‫ ) ك‬to form simple words.
Write simple words from memory independently from the covered letters.
Write simple sentences with support.
Fill out some simple forms with some basic personal information such as, name,
date of birth and year group.
Write simple sentences using the present tense.

Listening
To recognise the sound of the covered letters.
Recognise , understand different greetings in Arabic.
Recognise numbers up to 20.
Recognise days of the week in Arabic.
Understand simple expressions used by others to introduce themselves.
Recognise names of the family members in Arabic.
Recognise names of some places.
Recognise names of some transportations.
Recognise names of some fruit and vegetables.
Understand a simple dialogue between sellers and buyers.

Islamic:
1. The Resurrection and Raising up (Surat Qaf from
Understand the meaning of the verses 1-11 of Surah Qaf.
Identify the key themes of resurrection and the afterlife.
Reflect on the signs of Allah’s power in creation.

2. Glad Tidings for those who Pray (Hadith)

Memorise the Hadith that promises glad tidings for those who perform Salah.
Understand the significance of Salah in Islam.
Analyse the rewards for maintaining regular prayers.
3. Evidences for the Oneness of Allah
Recognize the concept of Tawhid (the Oneness of Allah) in Islamic belief.
Explore evidence from the Quran and Sunnah that affirm Allah’s Oneness.
Understand the implications of Tawhid in a Muslim's life.

4. Those in the Shade of the Most Merciful (Hadith)

Memorise the Hadith that describes those who will be shaded by Allah on the Day
of Judgement.
Understand the qualities and actions that make a person eligible for Allah’s shade.
Reflect on the importance of developing these qualities in daily life.

5. Consciousness of Allah's Witnessing

Understand the concept of Ihsan and be conscious of Allah’s witnessing.
Reflect on the impact of being aware of Allah’s presence on behaviour.
Discuss ways to increase mindfulness of Allah in daily life.

6. Ritual Unificatory Bath (Ghusl)

Understand the importance and significance of Ghusl in Islamic ritual purity.
Learn the conditions that require performing Ghusl.
Memorise the steps involved in performing a proper Ghusl.

Science:
Nutrition and Digestion
Identify components of a healthy human diet; carbohydrates, proteins, lipids (fats
and oils), vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and water.
Carryout nutrient tests for; reducing sugars, starch, proteins and lipids.
Describe the consequences of deficiencies of an imbalanced diet, including
obesity and starvation.
Calculate and compare energy values in different foods.
Describe the journey through the human digestive system, including adaptations.
Explain the role of enzymes and their action.

Plants & their reproduction

Understand plants make food by photosynthesis.
Investigate how plants reproduce including flower structure, wind and insect
pollination, fertilisation, seed and fruit formation and dispersal.
Evaluate a quantitative investigation of dispersal mechanisms of seeds.
Continuous and discontinuous variation.
Breathing & Respiration
Structure and functions of the gas exchange system in humans, including adaptations.
Mechanism of breathing to move air in and out of the lungs, using a pressure model to
explain the movement of gases.
Impact of exercise, asthma and smoking on the human gas exchange system.
The role of leaf stomata in gas exchange in plants.

Unicellular Organisms
Know that cells are the fundamental unit of living organisms and be able to
divide organisms into five kingdoms.
Role of diffusion in the movement of materials in and between cells.
Structural adaptations of some unicellular organisms.
Structure of a virus and harm caused by its replication.
Use of antibiotics and vaccines in controlling pathogens, and the problems caused by
overuse of antibiotics.
Anaerobic respiration in humans and microorganisms, including fermentation, and a word
summary for anaerobic respiration.
Differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration in terms of the reactants, the
products formed and the implications for the organism.
The carbon cycle.

History:
Power in the Middle Ages
Henry II vs. Thomas Becket: Exploring the clash between King Henry II of England and
Archbishop Thomas Becket, including the power struggle between church and state.
Magna Carta: Investigating the significance of the Magna Carta in limiting the power of
King John and establishing principles of justice and rule of law.
King John: analysing the controversial reign of King John, his conflicts with nobles and the
consequences of his rule.
Analytical Thinking: Learn to critically analyse historical events, sources and
interpretations to form well-reasoned conclusions.
Source Evaluation: Evaluate the reliability, bias and relevance of primary and secondary
sources.

Geography:
Africa
Locate Africa and its countries.
Identify key features of Africa’s physical landscape, climate, environments, population
distribution and economy.
Understand the pattern of climate zones and biomes across Africa.
Understand how biomes are formed by the interaction of the Earth’s spheres.
 Describe and explain population distribution and change in Africa.
Identify reasons for economic growth in Africa.
Understand the causes and consequences of desertification in the Sahel.
Evaluate solutions to desertification in the Sahel.

Physical Education (P.E):

Table Tennis
Work cooperatively with a partner to keep a continuous rally going using only one
bounce while attempting to move the ball to both the forehand and backside side
of a partner.
Consolidate the use of backhand stroke, attempting topspin and backspin.
Consolidate the use of forehand stroke, attempting topspin and backspin.
Consolidate the accuracy and consistency of the serve, trying different types of
spin and implement the rules of serving.
Play in competitive games and attempt to self score matches with your opponent.
Attempt to use a variety of shots to outwit an opponent.
Use the full scoring system and follow the rules of the game effectively.

Netball
Consolidate specific netball skills in games - pivoting, dodging, bounce pass, chest
pass, lob pass, shooting and any other previously learnt skills.
Change direction to lose a defender in practice and games, knowing when to go for
an interception.
Play in different positions accurately on the court in both attack and defence,
developing an understanding for passing and moving towards the goal.
Increase power and strength of passes, moving the ball over longer distances to
advance up the court to attack.
Develop the shooting action from different areas in the D.
Pupils should aim to provide feedback to their peers on their performance in order
to improve.

Volleyball
Understanding the fundamental rules and how scoring works in volleyball.
Practicing essential techniques such as serving, passing and setting and attempting
to link these shots together in practice and game situations.
Learning how to work together and communicate effectively on the court.
Developing movement skills and positioning for effective play - rotation of positions
and serving.
Self officiate a game of volleyball.
Applying skills in game scenarios and understanding strategies in order to win
games.

Football
Refine football skills such as passing, shooting, and dribbling and use these more
effectively during games.
 Consolidate ball control techniques such as stopping the ball from various heights and
speeds.
Emphasise the use of both feet effectively.
Understanding of football rules and regulations.
Explore tactical aspects, including different formations and strategies against specific
opposition.
Understand roles and responsibilities associated with specific positions on the football
pitch.
Encourage players to support and collaborate with teammates while giving feedback in
order to improve.

Athletics
Apply different speeds over varying distances.
Develop fluency and coordination when running for speed.
Sustain pace over short and longer distances such as running 100m and running for
1000m.
Use and understand the importance of power, control and consistency in jumping for
distance.
Develop technique and coordination in the triple jump.
Consolidate technique in relay changeovers and use them accurately within races.
Perform a range of jumps and throws demonstrating increasing power and accuracy.
Pupils can give feedback to their peers on their performances and use this to improve
technique.

Music:
Performance
Pupils will develop instrumental skills on the tuned percussion, ukulele and voice.
Pupils will develop their instrumental skills by working independently, as a group and as
a whole class.
Pupils will add accurate expression and tone to their performances as the term
progresses.
Pupils will develop key traits through performing, including: confidence, self motivation
and patience.

Music Theory
Pupils will begin to develop a basic understanding on the notes of the treble clef, note
values and time signatures.
Pupils will learn how to accurately read and write music on manuscript paper.
Pupils will be able to participate in discussions about music as well as analysing their own
performances.
Art
The project will focus on ‘Figurative Art’.
Explore and develop drawing skills focusing on accuracy, proportions and detail.
Improve confidence when experimenting in a range of different materials using a variety
of techniques including card, wire sculptures and oil pastels
Develop visual literacy and demonstrate how the formal Elements might be used within
their own artwork and that of other artists’ including Da Vinci, Alberto Giacometti,
Brahim, and Basquiat.
Realise intentions and create a personal and meaningful final outcome when
manipulating a variety of media to create a large-scale mixed-media painted outcome
in response to Basquiat.

French:
Pupils will cover the following vocabulary, grammar and phonics through the topic of
Cinema, Technology, Music and Freetime activities:

Vocabulary
Different types of film, music, technology, leisure activities
Opinion phrases
Adjectives to describe interest
Question words
Adverbs of frequency and time
Numbers to 100
C’est / ce sont / c’était / ça sera / ça va être
Regular and irregular verbs pertaining to topic

Grammar
Question forming (inversion/est-ce que)
Regular ER/
Irregular verbs lire and faire
Aller + infinitive (near future tense)
Past perfect tense (recognition and formation)
Modal verbs pouvoir and devoir

Phonics
Vowels
Qu
Silent final consonant/ silent e
En, on, an, un, in
g/j
eu/eux/au/aux
 Ai/oi/ui
“É”
ce/ci/ça/ca/cu/co
j/g
il/ille

Speaking - pupils will be able to ask and respond to questions and will be able to pronounce
familiar and unfamiliar words with increasing accuracy.
Reading - Pupils will be able to extract information from texts relating to film, and technology.
They will read for gist as well as using inference skills to decode longer texts. They will be able
to analyse a text to understand when activities are happening (past, present, future).
Writing - Pupils will be able to spell with increasing accuracy and at varying lengths including
correctly conjugated verbs in three tenses. They will be able to give and justify their opinions
using adjectives and respond to questions. Pupils will be able to translate from English in to
Frenc.h
Listening. Pupils will be able to identify keywords from recordings and understand people's
opinions and when things are happening They will be able to write down information in English
and in French.
Grammar - Pupils will be able to describe what is meant by the term “infinitive”, “near future”
and “perfect tense” and will be able to conjugate regular ER verbs in 1st, 2nd and 3rd person
as well as employing aller + infinitive to form the future tense. Pupils will be able to employ the
past perfect tense. Pupils will be able to negate verbs.

Computing:
MicroPython
Events
Errors
Sequence
Selection
Iteration
Data Types

Algorithms and flowcharts

Data into algorithm
Key symbols
Flowchart structure
Convert algorithms to flowcharts
Moral, Social and Cultural Education
Individual Responsibilities, Duties and Moral Obligations
Demonstrate ability to speak in front of others about their responsibilities and
duties towards their classmates.
Demonstrate awareness of their responsibilities and duties within their family in
daily life and the ability to discuss these.
Describe some of the moral rules and explain their significance in community life,
and the reasons behind the necessity of committing to them, such as: stealing is
wrong because..., lying is wrong because..., keeping promises is right because...
Reflect on “doing what is right”, and applying one moral rule or more that has been
discussed in the unit.

Making Good Decisions

What is a risk?
What are the consequences of taking risks? What actions should you take when you
are at risk?
How can you protect yourself from risk?

The Geography of East Asia

Learning about the people of East Asia
Learn about the importance of the natural environment of East Asia, both in the past
and today.
[Link]