ENGLISH
Overview
In Year 7 pupils will begin to study texts which meet the literature requirements of the National Curriculum for Key Stage 3. Reading in Year 7 will therefore include scenes from Shakespeare, pre-1914 fiction and pre-1914 poets, as well as post-1914 texts (including non-fiction).
Furthermore, teachers will choose and use a range of texts to help pupils compare and evaluate texts and to become more discriminating readers.
Pupils are introduced to the school library, and will chose books deemed suitable for their Year. For the Independent Reading Programme (see Reading Scheme) they will keep a record of their private reading, and complete tasks on their chosen texts. Classes study at least one novel every half term and written tasks and oral work will often arise from this reading. Poetry, plays and works of non-fiction are also studied, and work on critical analysis of plot, setting, themes, style and characterisation is undertaken.
During the year, opportunities will be given to write in a variety of different genres: poetry, prose, drama, non-fiction; and for different purposes: to explain, entertain, persuade, inform. Techniques of drafting and re-drafting are introduced. Pupils are taught to use full stops, commas and capital letters accurately, and to paragraph logically.
With regard to Speaking and Listening, pupils at this level will take part in whole class and small group discussion, learn the conventions of debating, develop their skills in reading aloud, plan and deliver short oral presentations (on a favourite pastime, for example).
