Design and Technology 2019 / 2020
Rowhill offers D.T. to primary pupils and secondary students up to key stage 3. With a broad and varied coverage of practical skills, the learners develop, knowledge and understanding of the designing and making principles.
All learners are encouraged to work creatively; using different tools and materials, when learning about a given topic. Learners, will often discuss their understanding of a topic and the correct use of tools. The aim is to encourage staying safe in a group and develop fair and respectful working social skills.
All pupils and students are required to develop their practical knowledge, starting in September and reviewed again at the start of each term, Health and Safety. This is paramount for the smooth running of each lesson.
Since September, the learners have learned about types of timber, (Natural and Manufactured), polymers (plastics), electronic and mechanical systems (simple machines). Below are photographic projects and skills the learners have shown in lessons.
T2 learning about what makes a good friend and effective communication
Making meaningful friendships is something that our young people can struggle with, particularly if they have ASD.
Understanding their own wants, desires and emotions is the first hurdle each student needs to cross. In order to do this the school uses a zones of regulation system which helps students identify emotions, their triggers and ultimately how to regulate them. Whilst working on understanding their own feelings learning to understand and recognise that others have them too is another very significant step. When students begin on this path, normally the first emotion that they can recognise in each other is sadness and anxiety. Emotional states that are highly significant for them as they have to deal with on a daily basis. Next, when they are beginning to understand these processes is happiness. A very interesting stage as more often than not an individual will try to make their ‘friend’ enjoy the activity that they so enjoy themselves. This introduces us to the concept or indeed problem of double empathy. Understanding each other’s intention to be nice may be missed as the young person trying to share their passion for a particular subject or activity may not be shared, but ‘I enjoy it so you should too’ is all too familiar and can, despite good intention, lead to arguments.
In T2, there is a strong desire to make steps forward in personal and emotional development, the boys want to make meaningful friendships, so work hard to learn to understand their own emotions and communicate more effectively without altercation. Every one of the students in T2 has had their fair share of arguments, fights and disagreements, learning to avoid these with the added benefit of eliminating the loneliness and ‘no-one understands me’ state of mind is some thing they all want to do.
Pythons Class – Talk for Writing