Year 8: Outline and Outcomes

Term 1

Resolving Conflict – Brainstorm Productions Performance
‘The Hurting Game’
Students will

• View a live performance of a theatre in education play which highlights issues associated with bullying and resolving conflict in the middle school
• Discuss and respond to a series of activities designed to assist students improve understanding of conflict resolution strategies
• Review of peer mediation process at Sydney Boys High.

Emotional Survival Skills – Core Module
Students will

• Discuss, write and review individually and in small groups activities designed to introduce concepts such as: feelings, self-esteem, stress, assertive behaviour, active listening, effective communication and anger management
• Develop an understanding of emotional maturity and demonstrate this through discussion, group relationships and writing
• Use student planner to respond to and record information covered in the course and to create personal notes and ideas

Term 2

Healthy Body
Students will

• View the movie ‘Super Size Me’ as a starting point for discussion about nutrition and healthy lifestyles
• Complete a variety of activities from the two mini-modules, ‘Chewing the Facts’ & ‘From Test Tube to Table’ which focus on healthy eating alternatives.
• Keep a food and exercise diary for a week and discuss their findings.

Performance Coaching:

• Study Skills
• Time Management
• Enhancing Motivation

(To be completed prior to half yearly exam period)

Students will

• Examine how planning and organisation of time will assist in better achieving enhanced academic goals
• Read, write and discuss strategies for improving focus, maximising potential, designing study routines and timetables, setting and reviewing performance targets, revision

Literacy Circles – teachers will students into library to complete the activities in this short unit of work (can be completed any time after Term 1)

Term 3

Being E-Safe
This module focuses on cyber-bullying, identity theft, and creeps online issues in order to raise discussion and awareness about taking, e-safety precautions.The module can be completed online and is interactive. It consists of:

• 3 short films which provide case studies for student activities
• 18 powerpoint slides to guide group discussion and class activities
• 27 student worksheets which are also available online for individual or group work

Additional Resources:
Cyber(smart) website: http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Teens.aspx 

Performance Coaching Revision
Students will

• Implement time management strategies
• Develop strategies to improve exam performance by overcoming anxiety
• Create a revision timetable and identify goals for improvement before the yearly exam period.

Term 4

Media Study
Holly’s Heroes (ACTF)
Students will

• View the opening episodes of the series and discuss and write about issues relating to eg. relationships, teamwork, resolving conflict, authority and power etc.
• Answer review questions and complete a series of activities which focus on adolescent issues such as puberty, sport, relationships, family, leadership, friendship, conflict resolution etc.
• Consider, discuss and write about aspects of film making, audience perspective and character development
• Predict what will happen to the characters in the future by writing and presenting a proposal for future episodes (after viewing episodes or when the entire series is completed)

Teen Website Development (Leadership)

• Students will research, gather, edit and create material which will be posted on the SBHS Teen website
• Student executives will control material choice, maintenance and succession management of the site.