Enrichment

Holy Family Catholic Primary School intends to assist the enrichment and extension of student learning. This forms part of our overall teaching and learning program at the school. Class teachers have the primary responsibility to implement enrichment and extension activities for students.

AIMS

The following School Aims are related to the enrichment and extension of student learning:

  • Strive to develop the whole person – physically, psychologically, socially, spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, so that each may be able to become the person he is called to be.
  • Foster awareness of the dignity and importance of each person.
  • Develop recognition of the uniqueness and individuality of each human being.
  • Identify and cater for individual students needs.

CATERING FOR INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES

Enrichment and extension of students, forms part of our work to cater for individual differences:

Teachers Assistants / Support Teacher

Teacher Assistants and the Support Teacher work closely with the classroom teacher to build on student strengths through individual and group programs.

Project Topics of Interest

Children select a topic of interest to research individually, in pairs or small groups. Use of the library, internet and other information sources eg. television documentaries, newspapers, Atlas, encouraged for this.

Construction Activities

Used for creative purposes as well as to demonstrate a specific concept in other subject areas. eg. Maths, Science.

Bloom’s Taxonomy

Creating a program of Teaching / Learning Activities that promote different levels of thinking and learning so that the students learn to think analytically, creatively and critically.

Learning Contracts or Negotiating Contracts

Contracts that are appropriate to the children’s individual abilities and interests the children can work on these individually or in small groups.

“Fast Finisher” Activities

Providing a range of activities and questions that reinforce the student’s knowledge and understanding of topics and promote skills that extend and challenge their thinking.

Peer Tutoring

Using Peer Tutoring to assist children learn academic, behavioural and social skills.

Care Groups

Year 6 students act as leaders and co-leaders to mixed groups of children from all grades. Activities within the groups focus on a specific theme. eg. Anti-bullying, Citizenship.

Work Stations or Learning Centres

Providing Work Stations or Learning Centres that enable children to work at their own pace and at their own level through a series of activities that relate to topics or themes being taught in class. Activities can range from easy recall and comprehension activities that teach and revise basic skills and concepts, to intellectually challenging, creating and judging activities. Children can work at a Work Station or Learning Centre individually, in pairs, groups, with a teacher, teacher assistant or peer tutor.

Use of Computer Technology

  • Using the computer lab to teach children to become competent and confident users of Computer Technology.
  • Using the computer in the classroom to introduce concepts, consolidate and further develop class work eg. education computer games.
  • Using the computer for research and internet access.
  • Using the computer for creative word processing ideas.
  • Internet facilitated competitions eg. ‘Murder Under The Microscope’.

Presentations / Celebrations

  • Oral – these can be done individually, in pairs or groups.
  • Word processing, slide show presentations.
  • Creating a movie using the video or digital camera.
  • Creative a school newspaper in which children are asked to contribute.

SPECIFIC LEARNING AREAS:-

Spelling:

Spelling groups, individual quota of words, special spelling programs. Use of educational computer games eg. “The Speller”.

English:

Theme work used to motivate the children’s interest in reading, writing, talking and listening skills, “Peer Reading” and/or an Intensive Reading Program used to improve reading skills. Use of educational computer games eg. Phonics Alive ½ Creative thinking promoted by the theories of Edward De Bono’s Thinking Hats.

Maths:

Use of concrete materials, emphasis on hands of learning, problem solving activities. Using everyday resources such as weather maps, shopping catalogues, timetables and newspapers.

History:

Learning about our own history and that of our family. Similarities and differences in family life by comparing past to present. Community & Rememberance.

Geography:

Learning about My place and My Family. Features of places. Exploring places. A diverse and connected world.

Religion:

Emphasis on faith development of the individual in relation to encouraging the children to come up with ideas and plans of action to help others eg. Mission fete, Christmas hamper.

Science:

Focus on hands on and doing experiments, predicting and hypothesising, questioning skills. Using labeled diagrams to explain discoveries.

Music:

Weekly programmed music activities. Musica Viva, end of year Family Night involvement and preparation.

Visual Arts:

Presentation of class/individual work in the classroom, Chapel and Entrance Foyer.

Sport:

Weekly sports program that involves activity rotation and preparation for carnivals. School carnivals eg. athletics, swimming. Selection of children from the Summer and Winter Sports Trials to represent the school at an elite level as part of Diocesan teams. Formation of teams to represent the school in competitions eg. rugby, rugby league, netball, soccer.

Year Group Assemblies:

Presentation of items that focus on class work throughout the term.

Liturgy:

Children’s active involvement in Celebration of the Word and Celebration of the Eucharist.

Special Days / Occasions:

eg. Anzac Day.

Eisteddfod Items:

Individual, group, class or grade activities eg. verse speaking, singing, creative writing.

Assemblies:

School leaders are given the opportunity at these to initiate School Prayer, raising and lowering the Flag, distribution of awards, introducing the weekly social skill and making announcements.

ACTIVITIES THAT CATER FOR A VARIETY OF INTERESTS

  • Chess
  • Guitar
  • School Band
  • School Choir
  • Guitar & Piano tuition
  • Art & Craft Clubs

COMPETITIONS

  • University Test Competitions eg. Science, Maths, English, Spelling, Writing and Digital Technologies (participation in these is optional).
  • Bathurst Show eg. class art and craft work.
  • Creative writing.
  • Public speaking.
  • Art competitions.
  • Debating.
  • On-line competitions.

NEWSPAPERS

  • Finding information / answering advertisements, writing a news report, writing a letter to the editor etc. This can be done in groups or pairs.

IMPLEMENTATION / COMMUNICATION

  • Enrichment and Extension work activities included in class programs.
  • Communication to parents via the newsletter about enrichment and extension activities at the school and/or in the community.

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Holy Family School is committed to providing enrichment and extension learning for students. This forms part of our overall approach to teaching and learning at the school.