twitter: @englishphs · 2019-10-29 · poetry: jackie kay, carol ann duffy, norman maccaig ......
TRANSCRIPT
Issue 8 Term 1: October
Term Times
Perth High School
English and Media Studies department Twitter: @EnglishPhs www.phsenglishdept.wordpress.com
Dates for the diary:
S2 02/10/19 Scots presentations for P7 and local
businesses
N5 28/10/19 Creative writing folio due
11/11/19 RUAE checkpoint
H 21/10/19, 4/11/19 RUAE checkpoint
25/11/19 Creative folio due
What’s going on in the
department?
Mon: Climate change (4.17)
Tues: Creative writing (4.5 after
school)
Wed: Creative writing (CW club)
(4.5) Poetry Society (4.4)
Thurs: Debate (4.17)
Fri: Mahjong (4.13)
See individual teachers for
supported study session times
FAO N5/Higher
‘Five a Day’ keeps the ‘D’ at bay
This daily reading homework for N5 and H pupils is
designed to boost your RUAE skills.
Remember that own words should be set out in bullet
points. The number of marks indicates how many bullet
points.
Analysis should follow the formula: “QUOTE”/ meaning of
quote/ why the writer used these specific words (impact)/
link back to question.
The most important thing is that you READ some quality
journalism every day. However, completing the questions
will push on your RUAE skills. There is no shortcut I’m
afraid. Aim to complete at least two sets of questions
every week but read all of the articles.
What have we been studying in the department?
Drama: ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Sailmaker’, ‘Men should weep’
Prose: ‘Animal Farm’, ‘Of Mice and Men’, ‘Boy’ ‘The Wave’
Short stories: Iain Critchon Smith, Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway,
Poetry: Jackie Kay, Carol Ann Duffy, Norman MacCaig
Media: ‘Matilda’
Issue 8 Term 1: October
S2 Scots language unit
Fit rare! This term oor S2 classes hiv been reading,
scrievin, harknin, an spiking in Scots. We finished oor
project designing oor ane Scots products, n makin oor
marketing campaign tae share wi oor class. The winners
fae each class competed fir a shotty in the final, wi oor
awfie special judges.
Here is one example from Cameron who sculpted models
out of clay for his Scots Product presentation. They were to
be sold in a mystery box. He plans to sell them at the
Christmas Fayre.
Oor P7 winners created Shortbread Ice Kream. The industry judges selected
Shortbread Ice Kream and Clyde the Coo for their products and pitches.
Issue 8 Term 1: October
A big well done to all the other groups for your interesting ideas: Scottish Tablet,
Minecraft skins, Alba snack box, King Bru, Iron Bru Tac Tics, Scottish Highland Coo
Comic
Issue 8 Term 1: October
S2 Spikin Scots
Oor S2 wir invited alang to the launch of a map of Scotland, in Scots, by The Scots
language centre. Oor S2 wir Scots ambassadors fir the day, spikin ‘n’ scrivein wi
P3/4 bairns fae RDM. They met wi education minister John Swinney, ‘n’ wir spikin
aboot fit wiv bin learning in school. We wis given a map fae the artist to keep in the
class, and got to ask Dr Michael Dempster questions aboot his wirk wi language.
Overall, we hid a rare morning, and even made it ontae the STV news.
Issue 8 Term 1: October
S1 Media project
Miss Cowan’s S1 class have been studying ‘Matilda’ as their media text this term. They then
were tasked with designing their own school. Here are a few examples, very impressive!
S2 authors
You might have seen Mr Caldwell’s class in the newspapers lately, for their book ‘Tales from
the fifth floor’. All royalties from the book will be donated to the WWF. Look out for
information about how much these published authors made. A massive well done!
Issue 8 Term 1: October
Advanced Higher visit from Alan Bissett
On Friday 6th September, The Advanced Higher English class had the pleasure of meeting
writer and playwright Alan Bissett. Most commonly known for his novel “Boyracers”, Bissett
spent the best part of 90 minutes explaining his ideas regarding creative writing, mixing in
his trademark humour with the students of the class.
By sheer coincidence, the class also had the pleasure of meeting the Deputy First Minister
John Swinney, of whom Bissett asked: “What is going on?” in reference to Brexit and the
current political climate. Swinney did his best to answer the question without giving too much
away before posing for a photo with the students and Bissett.
During Bissett’s time with the class, he discussed his interpretation of Ernest Hemingway’s
“Iceberg Theory” which he explained as working in the same way childhood teasing works,
hinting at a secret you want to know and hooking the reader in with the promise of revealing
the previously mentioned secrets. The idea of the shark from “Jaws” was also discussed
since in the film the true horror of the shark is hinted at throughout the film by its fin, until its
finally unleashed at the end. Reminds me of my classmates in all honesty.
At least the horror part.
Jack Bennett 6H4
Issue 8 Term 1: October
CW- Wednesday room 4.5
The Creative writing club or CW has been
meeting on a Wednesday lunchtime. We’ve
had some great acrostic poems, and stories
with strange objects. We’ve also had people
share work they have been completing at
home. If you enjoy any type of writing then
why not come along and join in.
Climate Change Club
Pupils at Perth High have been working hard over the past few months to try to
combat climate change. After successfully lobbying to have more water fountains
installed (thank you Mrs Pupillo) they have turned their sights to plastic packaging in
shops. It is great to see our young people take a lead in trying to make the planet.
better, starting with the school and local community. Here are some of the pupils on
the school strike in Perth.
Issue 8 Term 1: October
Greta’s speeches
Mrs Fraser found about this great initiative on Twitter, and nominated Perth High School to receive 10 copies of speeches by Greta Thunberg. We were lucky enough to be selected. This is some information about the project: “If you don’t know the whole story, Melissa Harrison (amazing author) and Simon Key (that’s me, I own a bookshop called the Big Green Bookshop), started this Crowdfunder, with the idea of trying to raise money to supply 100 schools with 10 copies each. As you’ll see, if you click on the link, things went a lot better than we expected! This meant that, through the generosity of all the people who donated and also the amazing publisher, Penguin, who agreed to match the number of copies we raised money to buy, we’ve been able to supply over 800 schools in the UK. That’s over 8,000 kids inspired by Greta’s words and deeds! Isn’t that great?”
Issue 8 Term 1: October
Revolution comes to Mrs Stewart’s classroom!
Brave and visionary comrades overthrow their tyrannical English teacher Mrs
Stewart this September. Votes were cast and leaders Colin the chicken, Windy the
pig and Carrie the horse took control. Newly branded “Chonk’s Farm” followed the
pattern of George Orwell’s fable as power, manipulation and intrigue became the
order of the day. Sneaky Colin the chicken was outed as a traitor and exiled allowing
noble Windy and Carrie to led the way to freedom, land and health.
Alas, it was soon discovered that the corrupting influence of power can be all
consuming and Windy quickly led his unsuspecting comrades into a Totalitarian
Regime!
Order has now been restored to the ranks and reflections took place through some
rather snazzy group presentations! Well done Mrs Stewart’s S3!
Issue 8 Term 1: October
Jackie Kay: revision presentations
Mrs Fraser’s N5 class have been completing
their Spoken Language unit for their N5
course. They have given presentations about
the Jackie Kay poetry they have been
learning about for the Scottish Text exam. It
has been a great revision tool with Kahoot
quizzes and posters being made to help the
class with their exam. Here are some
examples of what they have been doing.
Issue 8 Term 1: October
Growth mindset
This term we have been working on using Growth Mindset language with our S5
classes. Ms Milne has been completing research in this area, and kindly shared what
she had learned with the team.
All pupils have been given a learning journal to record what they have been learning
in the lesson, and mentoring programme has been set up for pupils with staff to help
them reach their goals.