Christmas at the Academy - Cross Curricular Week

The aim of a cross-curricular Christmas week here in the Academy is to engage students with a variety of subjects while embracing the excitement and joy of the Christmas period, making learning festive and fun through the lens of Christmas. Please see the below an overview of what will be happening in departments w/c 16th of December 2024.

Business and Economics	Year 7 - 9 Computer Science Christmas Coding quiz Computer Science- GCHQ Christmas challenge Year 10/11 Business - Inside the Christmas factory tasks
Drama	Stimulus; The true meaning of Christmas A four act play which reminds us all that the true meaning of Christmas is not the rush of holiday preparations or the pressure to create perfection, but in the simple act of being present with the ones you love. It is a reminder that love, kindness and shared moments are the gifts that truly last. We will be exploring the story, discussion and reflection, We will create performances based on each act and our own understanding of what Christmas means to us all.
English	Year 11: Studying A Christmas Carol - they are looking at how core Christian values of goodwill and charity are endorsed by Dickens to his Victorian readership. Year 10: Reading burst (extract with analysis questions) on the topic of Christmas. KS3: Students to complete a descriptive writing task from a popular YA book which has reference to Christmas to see how description is used, but to also replicate this in their own descriptive writing.
Geography	Year 7: Christmas themed map skills. Year 8: design a Christmas card for someone who survived a tectonic hazard. On the inside of your card, write a heartfelt message to the community. Think about the challenges they've faced and how the Christmas story can inspire them. You could write about the hope that Christmas brings, the importance of community, or the power of faith. Year 9: Comparison of Christmas in Mumbai and specifically Dhavari to Christmas traditions London & the UK. Year 10: Christmas and climate change: tasks on how Christmas traditions will be affected by climate change. Year 11: Christmas and the taiga: tasks on why a coniferous tree is used as a traditional Christmas tree, discussion on where the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree comes from and why and then tasks on the threats coniferous trees are facing i.e. pests, diseases, forest fires, acid rain etc and how this is affecting the quality of the Christmas tree: images of the current and last years Trafalgar square shown.
MFL	French and Spanish: Students explore how Christmas is celebrated in the francophone and hispanophone world, looking at cultural customs and traditions, food, and music. They will create display work or Christmas cards in the target language, they will learn about the historical context and religious origins of Christmas within various cultures. Skills: Research, presentation, creativity, understanding of diversity Arabic GCSE We will look at how the celebration of Christmas in the Arab world varies significantly due to the religious and cultural diversity within the region. While some Arab countries have large Christian populations that celebrate Christmas as a religious and cultural occasion, others observe it less prominently, often influenced by Western traditions. Activities : students learn key Vocabulary A case study : Christmas in Lebanon
Maths	Year 7 - Christmas coordinates and Christmas numeracy quiz Year 8 - Christmas code breakers Year 9 - Solving Santa equations Year 10 - Christmas transformations & quiz Year 11 - Twelfth Day of Christmas Maths puzzles and quiz and making Christmas baubles Year 12 - Christmas maths quiz Year 13 - A Level Christmas quiz
Music	Carol Singing Christmas themed starter activities
PE	Include Christmas themed warm up activities: 12 days of Christmas (aligned to the activity the group are on) This or that (Christmas themed this or that questions, which result in physical activities)
Politics	Year 12 - Pressure Groups - consider how social activist pressure groups use the Christmas period to target their message to decision makers and the general public. Year 13 - Cultural Globalisation - we will look at to what extent the consumerist element of contemporary Christmas celebrations in different countries is evidence of cultural homogenisation and cultural flattening.
Religious Education	Classwork activities / tasks on the importance of Christmas for Christians . - through scripture and doctrine. Explore the different ways Christmas is celebrated throughout the world. Allowing for prayer and reflection.
Science	KS3 Growing Christmas tree crystals KS4 Chemistry Advent calendar - Christmas themed chemistry problems.
Social Sciences	Psychology KS4 Prosocial Behaviour: Study the psychology behind increased charity and acts of kindness during the holiday season. Consumer Behaviour: Explore why people feel compelled to buy gifts, often influenced by advertisements and societal expectations. KS5 Conformity and Group Dynamics: Analyse how traditions and social norms influence behaviours during Christmas, such as gift-giving, decorating, or attending religious services. Attachment Theory: Discuss how family traditions during Christmas impact a child’s sense of security and attachment. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Discuss how the holiday season can exacerbate or alleviate symptoms of SAD in different individuals. Sociology Gender Roles and Labour: Discuss the division of labour in preparing for Christmas, such as shopping, cooking, and decorating, and how it reflects traditional gender roles. Inequality and Consumerism: Study how socioeconomic status affects the ability to participate in Christmas traditions, such as buying gifts or hosting lavish celebrations. Representation of Wealth: Investigate how advertisements and media portray Christmas as a time of abundance, reinforcing class ideals. Family Dynamics: Analyse how Christmas gatherings highlight family structures, roles, and conflicts. Holiday Crime Rates: Study patterns in theft or fraud during the holiday season and their sociological implications.