Curriculum

The “Victorian Essential Learning Standards” form the framework from which all school programming is developed. They identify what is essential for students to know and be able to do as they move through the different stages of school.

The Standards are underpinned by a clear set of educational principles which reflect the community's expectations for schooling. Specifically, the educational principles are:

Ø        Learning for all

Ø        Pursuit of excellence

Ø        Engagement and effort

Ø        Respect for evidence

Ø        Openness of mind

The Victorian Essential Learning Standards are set in three main strands or areas. They are:

• knowledge and understanding from the key subjects of English, Science, Mathematics, Humanities, Languages and The Arts

• physical, personal and social skills such as being active and healthy, developing self confidence, managing personal learning and working with others

• other essential skills that apply across curriculum areas such as thinking, design, problem solving, communicating, and using information and communications technology.

At Greenhills Primary School we aim to develop well-rounded and confident young people. We aim to develop our students as skilled, flexible, responsible and creative; preparing them to meet the challenges of a world in which knowledge is highly valued and constantly changing.

We recognise that young people need knowledge and a broad range of social, personal and thinking skills to be successful.  They need to develop the capacities to manage themselves as individuals and in relation to others, understand the world in which they live, and act effectively in that world.

The Standards are designed to encourage a deep understanding of essential knowledge, skills and behaviours and are used to plan the best programs for student learning, assess student progress and report to parents.

LEARNING AREAS

ENGLISH

Years Prep – 4

The teaching of Literacy at Greenhills Primary school follows the guidelines as set out by the Victorian Early Years Literacy Strategy. Students and teachers work in a two hour literacy block through a variety of group and individualised tasks. The children work on developing their knowledge and understanding of speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Years 5-6

The teaching of Literacy at this level follows an extension to the Early Years Literacy Strategy used in the lower grades, combined with relevant elements of the Middle Years of Schooling Strategy. In addition to books (both fiction and non-fiction), magazines, newspaper articles and ICT are incorporated to enhance the children’s Literacy acquisition.

Parental Assistance

MATHEMATICS

The structured classroom program entails numeracy sessions which emphasise practical problem solving activities along with the acquisition of mathematical concepts at each developmental stage in maths.

Students use a variety of resources and mathematical aids to assist them in developing confidence and competence in their mathematical growth. One-to-one and group work situations, along with whole class activities cater for a variety of learning styles and enable students to be challenged according to their abilities.

P-2

Students are mainly exposed to ‘hands on’ activities where mathematical concepts are expressed through language, the arts and play. A variety of manipulative materials are used extensively to develop understanding in all areas and to particularly emphasise the essential components in number and measurement.

3-6

Incorporating the above methodologies, students are further challenged to develop an understanding of more complex mathematical concepts. For example, students are formally introduced to the time tables, along with fractions, decimals, percentages and algebra. Activities are presented in a fun and interesting way. Further stimulation to explore mathematical ideas occurs at this level using multi-media equipment such as the Nintendo DS and specialised programs such as “Earn and Learn”.

INTEGRATED CURRICULUM

Whilst English and Maths are treated separately to ensure individualised learning in these essential core curriculum areas, the rest of the curriculum areas are combined to create stimulating learning programs for the students.

These programs are designed to provide a broad range of learning opportunities and experiences for students with a focus that is of interest to them. The activities encourage the development of research skills and the inquiry process and provide the students with the opportunity to develop the skills required to investigate new ideas and their reasoning abilities. They develop their ability to problem solve; to question, analyse and interpret information, in order to develop their own understandings and form conclusions about the topic.

These programs are developed by the teachers into topics or units of work that are presented over a two year cycle. Each unit combines many areas of the curriculum in order to engage students in a progression of highly motivating activities that are designed to teach specific concepts. This provides a learning framework that fosters students’ development as confident, responsible and informed citizens at local community, national and global levels.

Some examples of topics at the various levels are:

Prep                      Me and My Family

Grades 1&2            People Who Help Us

Grades 3&4            Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Grades 5&6            Space

Excursions, in-school events, guest speakers and special activity days are some of the extra curricula activities provided to enhance the curriculum and ensure that learning is meaningful and enjoyable.