Newcastle School for Boys Parent Handbook 2008 / 2009 |
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The Junior School - Foundation Stage Curriculum |
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| Active Learning | The Curriculum | Trips and Visits | |
AIMS
At the age of four, children are developing rapidly in every way – physically, intellectually, socially and emotionally – so the curriculum must take account of all these areas. It should:
- Ensure a sensitive transition from home/nursery to school.
- Provide a strong sense of security based on contentment and trust.
- Encourage a sense of self-confidence, achievement and self-esteem.
- Give opportunity for interaction with his peer group.
- Encourage a social awareness and knowledge relating to their world.
- Be broad and balanced, offering a wide range of learning experiences.
- Be integrated because young children do not perceive separate subject areas.
- Provide stimulation and care to ensure ongoing development and growth and ensure that the child gains control over his body.
- Develop a special awareness, manipulative skills and hand/eye co-ordination.
- Stimulate a sense of appreciation.
- Encourage communicative skills through all forms of artistic expression.
- Stimulate independence and creative thinking
- Promote initiative.
- Encourage reasoning.
- Concentrate on promoting language development across the curriculum.
MOST IMPORTANTLY IT IS BASED ON ACTIVE LEARNING
ACTIVE LEARNING for young children means physical activity. Therefore the children should be encouraged to:
- Explore actively with all senses.
- Discover relationships through direct experiences.
- Manipulate, transform and combine materials.
- Choose activities, materials and purposes.
- Acquire skills with tools and equipment.
- Take care of their own needs and develop independence and initiative.
The curriculum is divided into six areas of learning which are taught through a range of half termly topics. The six areas are:
PERSONAL AND SOCIAL
LANGUAGE AND LITERACY
MATHEMATICS
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD
CREATIVE
PHYSICAL
There will be frequent trips and visits organised for the children – especially as they move up the school.
It is important that the children have first hand experiences of places and events and the children are taken out of school at least once every term.
You will be asked to sign a consent form to cover all of these trips and you will be given advance notification for each individual trip.
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