Physics Y8 at WGHS

Aims

Physics is the study of the laws that govern the working of the physical world. It helps us to answer the questions 'Why?' and 'How?'. Each topic is chosen to broaden knowledge of the surroundings and to encourage students to want to find out more.

This year students will be introduced to more specialised scientific terms and units and will learn how to measure precisely, use laboratory equipment with confidence, manipulate equations to calculate values, interpret simple graphs and draw scientific diagrams.

They will have an opportunity to display data in tables, draw bar charts, pie charts and graphs and look for patterns and trends in data.

Students will be encouraged to make use of the school library facilities (including CD-ROM), the School Physics Extranet site and the World Wide Web when researching topics for homework.

The employment of ICT is an integral part of the course. Students will word process documents, handle images, and devise spreadsheets to help them calculate derived data values and plot graphs using MS-Excel

Assessment

At the end of each topic there is a test to check on students’ understanding of the material covered and to indicate the type of questions on each topic they are likely to be asked in the summer examination. Plenty of notice of the test date is given and homework time is allocated for revision. The teacher gives advice how best to set about learning the work.

At the end of the year there is an examination that will examine how their skills at plotting graphs and drawing bar charts and interpreting data has developed during the year. This will be done within the context of the topics they have studied.

At points in the year the students will undergo an ‘APP’ assessment. This is in line with the recent curriculum changes and involves students carrying out an activity followed by the award of a level to a specific aspect of their practical or analytical skills.

Content

Autumn term

• Electricity, Magnets and Electromagnets: They will study magnetism and electromagnetism and extend their understanding of electricity.
• Light: Once they have completed this they will begin a topic on light

Spring term

• Light: Students will look at waves in the context of light – studying reflection, refraction and how we see in colour.
• Sound: Students will study the key difference between light and sound and the properties of sound waves.

Summer Term

• Forces and Motion: Students will recap and further their understanding of forces, moments and pressure and work on developing their practical skills. After the summer exams they will study speed, how it is measured and the ways in which resultant forces change it.

Personal Learning and Thinking Skills

At WGHS we are very aware of how our students think about their learning. The year 8 Physics course is designed to open as many opportunities as possible for the students to engage with their learning. We encourage all of the key thinking skills: self managing, independent enquiry, independent thinking, active participation, team participation and reflection on learning.

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