YearYear 77 IndependentIndependent Study:Study: ChildhoodChildhood

TASK

As part of this unit of work you will be required to undertake an independent study on the topic you are studying. This booklet is designed for you to complete on your own to support your knowledge and understanding of this area of English.

How to use this booklet

 You must read each weekly section carefully and complete the tasks set.  Tasks can be completed in this booklet, where space allows, on paper or using a PC.  Make sure that you complete all tasks with as much effort and detail as you possibly can, as you will be awarded an overall level/grade for your independent study.  You will be required to complete this independent study at home or in the school homework club.

 If you have any questions about this project, or need help with any of the tasks, ask for help as soon as you can. Do not wait until the due date.  Your completed homework should be submitted on the following date, in the form of a project:

Deadline: ______

The Toynbee School: Independent Year 7 Childhood Study 2

WeekWeek One:One: FamiliesFamilies

In the unlikely event that you have never seen an episode of the Simpsons – you may want to watch one before attempting this task. However, it is not really necessary.

Task 1. Read the attached information sheet about the Simpsons (near the back of this booklet).

2. Create a similar text of your own, copying how this one has presented the information in a concise, readable form. Your text could be about your family or another family from TV or film.

WeekWeek Two:Two: SurveysSurveys

Complete both of the following surveys. Survey A should be completed by you. Survey B should be completed by someone who is from an older generation, e.g. a parent or grandparent.

The Toynbee School: Independent Year 7 Childhood Study 3

Survey about Childhood – Survey A (Complete this survey yourself) Use this questionnaire as a model. Record and write up your findings elsewhere.

School

1. How do you feel about school? Circle the statement below you most agree with:

I like it a lot. I like it a bit.

I don’t like it very much. I don’t like it at all.

2. What has been your most enjoyable experience at school so far?

3. What was the worst punishment you or another pupil you know have been given? 4. Describe your school uniform. 5. Describe the kind of lessons that you have. Health and Happiness

6. What 3 activities do you enjoy doing in your spare time? 7. What are the favourite games you play with your friends? 8. What were the most popular toys that you played with when you were younger? 9. What are your favourite foods and/or sweets? 10. How much television do you watch? Circle the statement you most agree with:

a) I don’t watch any TV/am not allowed/don’t have TV or something similar b) 5 hours a week c) 8 hours a week d) 12 hours a week e) Over 12 hours a week

11. Would you describe yourself as a child who:

a) Takes regular exercise b) Little exercise c) No exercise

The Toynbee School: Independent Year 7 Childhood Study 4

Survey about Childhood – Survey B (Ask someone from an older generation to complete this survey.) School

1. How did you feel about school? Circle the statement below you most agree with:

I liked it a lot. I liked it a bit.

I didn’t like it very much. I didn’t like it at all.

2. Which decade were you at school? (aged 12 & under)

3. What was your most enjoyable experience at school?

4. What was the worst punishment you or another pupil was given?

5. Describe your school uniform.

6. Describe the kind of lessons that you had.

Health and Happiness

7. What 3 activities did you enjoy doing in your spare time?

8. What were the favourite games played by you and your friends?

9. What were the most popular toys that you played with?

10. What were your favourite foods and/or sweets?

11. How much television did you watch? Circle the statement you most agree with:

a) I didn’t watch any TV/wasn’t allowed/didn’t have TV or something similar b) 5 hours a week c) 8 hours a week d) 12 hours a week e) Over 12 hours a week

The Toynbee School: Independent Year 7 Childhood Study 5

12. Would you describe yourself as a child who:

a) Took regular exercise b) Little exercise c) No exercise WeekWeek Three:Three: PreparingPreparing youryour interviewinterview

You are now going to use a planning tree to write a set of interview questions you can use to question your subject further about their childhood. Look at the example below of a partly completed tree:

Now, using the blank planning tree on the following page, come up with your own topics and questions. Remember, these are questions that you will be

The Toynbee School: Independent Year 7 Childhood Study 6 asking a member of the older generation, in order to gather information on their childhood – so choose your topics and questions carefully!

You will be using this tree when you actually carry out the interview – so don’t forget to leave room for your subject’s answers.

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WeekWeek Four:Four: TheThe InterviewInterview

Now use the questions on your tree to interview your chosen person. You should note down their answers next to the questions on the sheet, as in the example given in week three.

WeeksWeeks FiveFive andand Six:Six: ComparingComparing ChildhoodsChildhoods

You are now going to write a report on how childhood has changed from the decade your subject was a child in to the modern day. You should use all of the information you have gathered in order to do this. Your report should contain some or all of the following:

 Title  Subtitles  Details from your surveys and interview  Facts  Bullet points  Tables or graphs

Read the report provided at the back of this booklet and use it as a model for your own report.

The Toynbee School: Independent Year 7 Childhood Study