These threads are the pedagogy behind curriculum delivery at Springlands School and are developed across the class levels of the school. These form the basis for curriculum design.
A1 QUALITY FOUNDATION LEARNING
We want all students to build strong foundations for a lifetime of learning in Literacy, Mathematics and Statistics, and Key Competencies. In literacy we aim to ensure our students are able to read, write, speak, listen, spell, view and present for success. In mathematics we teach children to use strategies to problem solve using acquired mathematical knowledge and understandings.
A range of extension and support programmes; in literacy and mathematics, are provided to support students to reach their potential.
We work to raise the standard of student achievement and effort by acknowledging students who give their ‘personal best’ as A1 Quality. A1 achievements are acknowledged in attitudes, behaviour, presentation of bookwork, effort in learning, improvement motivation and environment.
Key Competencies are ‘attitudes and behaviours’ we all need to become participating, motivated life long learners.
We call our competencies: Coming up TRUMPS
Thinking
Relating to others
Using signs, symbols and texts
Managing Self
Participating and Contributing
at Springlands
A1 QUALITY POWERFUL LEARNING
Springlands School aims to provide a wide variety of powerful experiences to help children develop these competencies. The experiences provide rich contexts for learning across the seven areas of the NZ Curriculum: Literacy, Mathematics and Statistics, Inquiry (Social Sciences, Science and Technology), the Arts, Health and Physical Education.
We all use the competencies simultaneously at any one time, however, different experiences sometimes require a specific focus. It is important for children to have opportunities to apply the competencies in new and different situations or context. These should be evidenced in practice.
The Springlands School Inquiry model “High Five It to Success” develops school-wide consistency in our inquiry practice. This model promotes our philosophy of ‘Learning to Make a Difference’ and exploring the ‘So What’ aspect of making connections and transferring knowledge and skills to next step learning.
We have a specialist PERFORMING ARTS teacher who provides all students with quality dance, drama and music tuition. Health and Physical Education are also proactively taught to ensure fitness and physical activity is valued. Both Education outside the classroom and community involvement is a high priority when designing powerful learning experiences. Twice a year we celebrate and reflect on our learning with the community.
A1 REFLECTION AND TRANSFER
At Springlands School we want our children to develop the skills of higher order thinking, creative, critical and caring thinking. Goal setting and reflection are important aspects to learning. We encourage self and peer assessment and student ownership of learning. Students share their learning with parents twice a year in our three way conferences.
We encourage our students to think, making connections and transfer learning what they know to new situations. Learning to make a difference – So what, what next?
