S4 Parent information - Term 1

Dear Parents/Carers

Please see below some of the key topics your son/daughter will be studying during this term.

If you would like further information on any of the following, please contact the individual teacher at the school.

S4 English – Term 1  

They are doing the National 5 course this year. Much of the work is internally assessed over the year and in May 2015, if they have passed the internal tests, they will sit the exam. The breakdown of the final mark is as follows: 30% writing, two pieces done at home/in class over the year and externally marked 40% literature exam, externally marked : (1) a critical essay based on literature read in class - 20% (2) questions on a Scottish set text studied in class - 20% 30% close reading comprehension exam, externally marked Until October we are working at completing the Scottish set text part of the course. We are studying six set poems by Edwin Morgan which they will be examined on for 20% of their final mark. They will be expected to do an hour's homework a week.


S4 Maths – Term 1

 
Common Factors
Using the distributive law

Factorising

Simplifying

Solving Equations
Evaluating an expression

Calculations in context

　
Number Patterns
Sequences and patterns

Extending number patterns

Well-known sequences
Nth term


Gradient
Gradients in real life

Comparing gradients

Calculating gradients using a coordinate

Grid

Parallel lines

Area and Circumference of Circles
The circle.

Relationship C and D.

Finding the diameter or radius

Calculating area.

Area of kite, parallelogram and trapezium
Area of a parallelogram

Area of a triangle

Area of a kite

Area of a trapezium

Calculating Surface Area
Describing prisms

Nets of prisms

　
Surface area of a prism

Efficient use of materials


S4 Biology – Term 1

Assessment of unit 1 – Cell structure

Multicellular Organisms

Mandatory Course key areas

1 Cells, tissues and organs

Specialisation of cells, in animals and plants, leads to the formation of a variety of tissues and organs.

2 Stem cells and meristems

a. Stem cells in animals can divide and have the potential to become different types of cell. Stem cells are involved in growth and repair.

b. Meristems are the sites of production of non-specialised cells in plants and are the sites for mitosis in a plant. These cells have the potential to become other types of plant cell and they contribute to plant growth.

3 Control and Communication

a. Nervous control Nervous control in animals, including structure and function of central nervous system (CNS) and the brain, to include:

cerebrum, cerebellum and medulla.

b. Rapid reflex action and reflex arc: sensory, relay and motor neurons. Receptors detect sensory input/stimuli. Electrical impulses

carry messages along neurons. A synapse occurs between neurons. Chemicals transfer these messages across synapses.

c. Hormonal control including: Endocrine glands release hormones into the blood stream. Hormones are chemical messengers. Target tissues have cells with receptor proteins for hormones, so only some tissues are affected by specific hormones.

d. Blood glucose regulation including the role of insulin, glucagon, glycogen, pancreas and liver.

S4 Chemistry – Term 1

Assessment of unit 1 – Chemical changes and structure

Nature’s Chemistry
Mandatory Course key areas
Homologous series
The study of cycloalkanes and branched chain alkanes and alkenes (up to C8).To include their physical, chemical properties, general formulae, systematic names, structural formulae, uses, reactions and isomers. Reactions —combustion and addition.
Everyday consumer products
Uses of alcohols and carboxylic acids: to include their physical, chemical properties. For straight chain alcohols and carboxylic acids (C1–C8) general formulae, systematic naming, structural formulae. Functional groups in alcohols, carboxylic acids and esters.Manufacture of esters as a use of alcohols and carboxylic acids and .Uses of esters.
Energy from fuels
Energy calculations involving Eh = cmΔT

(There is no requirement to calculate enthalpy per mole.) Calculations based on balanced equations

S4 French – Term 1


Finish LES ETUDES (Talking about school and your future career)

MA VIE: My Life

• Relationships with parents, brothers, sisters and friends: how do you get on with your family – What are you allowed and not allowed to do – Household chores.
• Hobbies – Sports -
• Health – Advantages of a healthy lifestyle – Dangers of an unhealthy lifestyle

S4 RMPS – Term 1

S4 will study Animism this term.


S4 PSE – Term 1

At the beginning of this new academic year, all secondary pupils will be taking part in discussions which will inform their programme of study for the year. The focus for learning will be around the individual’s mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. The programme this term will include work on:

• Study skills
• Target setting
• Reflecting on their own learning and using learning logs as a tool for personal development
• Social wellbeing and positive thinking

S3/4 Health and Food Technology Term 1

 This term S3/4 will be studying the National 5 unit Food for Health. We have already begun to look at the macronutrients (protein, carbohydrate and fat) and will move on to look in detail at some of the vitamins and minerals required for a healthy balanced diet. We will then begin to consider diet through life; which involves looking at the nutritional requirements of each life stage from babies to the elderly. This theory work will be reinforced with practical experiences that involve producing food to meet specific requirements.

S4 Geography – Term 1  

During this Term students will be involved in the study of the following topics:

• Rural Geography
• Changes in the rural landscape in developed countries related to modern developments in farming including diversification, impact of new technology, organic farming, genetically modified crops & government policy.
• Changes in the rural landscape in developing countries related to modern developments in farming such as genetically modified crops, impact of new technology, bio- fuels.
• National 4 Value Added Unit.
• Individual Project

S4 History – Term 1


During this Term students will be involved in the study of the following topics:

• The North Atlantic Slave Trade.
• Reasons for the growth of the North Atlantic Slave Trade.
• The Trade Triangle.
• Slave factories.
• The Middle Passage.
• How did the North Atlantic Slave Trade affect Britain?
• Captives experience & Slave Resistance.

 S4 Art – Term 1

S4 will be continuing working on the Expressive Unit of the National 4 course. This includes drawing individual Still Life objects using a variety of media, beginning to create compositions and examining and discussing the work of relevant artists.

Context for learning: Investigating the work of artists including Wayne Thiebaud and Audrey Flack to inspire and inform own artwork.

Approaches to learning: Opportunities to further explore individual areas of interest within Art and Design through taught lessons and independent work. Practical art making informed by and linked to critical work