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One hour of Reading, Writing and Mathematics a day

The Rāroan —

Incorporating an hour each of Maths, Reading, and Writing into the school day is achieved through a blend of direct, focused teaching and integration across various subjects, including technology. Here's a brief overview of how this is done.

Direct Focused Teaching:

Each day includes dedicated time slots for the direct instruction of Maths, Reading, and Writing. During these periods, teachers employ targeted strategies to teach specific skills or concepts. This might involve direct explanations, demonstrations, guided practice, and independent work. Regular library visits expose our ākonga to a wide range of reading choices. Our librarians are experts in reading advisory. For Maths, this could mean problem-solving sessions or manipulative use for hands-on learning. For Reading and Writing, this might include reading comprehension exercises, discussions, and writing workshops focusing on different genres or techniques.

Integration Across Subjects:

To further reinforce these core skills, the curriculum is designed to integrate Maths, Reading, and Writing into other subjects like Science, Social Studies, and even Physical Education. For example, a Science lesson on plant growth might include graphing data (Maths), researching different plant species (Reading), and writing a report (Writing). This approach ensures that students are applying their skills in various contexts, enhancing understanding and retention.

Arts & Technology Integration / Design Production Education:

Arts & Technology is leveraged to enrich the learning experience and integrate these core subjects seamlessly into practical, applied and hands-on experiences. Foundation skills are transferred into a variety of authentic contexts.

Digital tools and platforms are used to:

  • Provide interactive opportunities and simulations that reinforce mathematical concepts.

  • Offer access to a wide range of reading materials, including instructions and online reference materials to practice reading strategies.

  • Enable students to draft, edit, and publish their work.

  • Facilitate cross-curricular projects, for example, coding a simple game (Technology) that requires calculating probabilities (Maths), researching historical events (Reading), and writing descriptive narratives (Writing). Through this multifaceted approach, Maths, Reading, and Writing are not only taught as distinct subjects but are also woven throughout the school day in various contexts, including arts & technology, making learning more relevant, engaging, and effective for students.