Ali's+comments+re+Yr+8

I had an idea for the large project that we were thinking of incorporating for each year level. With the 'dig' at Year 7 and the Soldier Research activity at Year 9, I thought that the Year 8's could do something on the history of migration to Australia. If it was done in Term 4 then they would've done two years study of a range of different cultures and could look at how these people have come to be represented in Australian society.

I know the Year 8 course is pretty full but thought this could be the special project as discussed at last meeting. It would only need to be a couple of weeks long (at the end of Term 4) because students could select different cultures and then combine them all together and share their findings/projects. It would also create a link between the Year 7/8 course and the Year 9 course. It would provide a lead in to Australian History showing how the development of these ancient cultures have impacted on the students' life in Australian society.

I also agree with Jody, I spent way too much time on Vikings. I really feel that there is too much across Year 7 and 8 (I know that this sounds strange because I've just suggested adding something in!), but rather than drop topics altogether, perhaps there could be a focus for each topic. Rather than doing the whole civilisation, pick one or two aspects from each and do them well. If we picked the topics carefully for each civilisation then they'd cover a range of different areas across the topics. I know it is limited but I just feel that there is so much content that the kids really can't take it all in anyway!!