Curriculum links

This topic looked at our immediate environment – our school – Q.M.C. We developed a line of inquiry based on our oldest building in our school, the Old Hall and Tower Block. To comply with earthquake regulations the building must be restored so we began to look at the history of the building and the implications of a restoration project. This was an integrated unit of work based on an inquiry model.

We covered several strands of several curriculum areas.

English:

Transactional writing – level 3
Critical thinking – level 3
Processing information
Visual language
Presenting – level 3
Static image

Social studies:

Strand B- culture and heritage – level 3
Strand C- place and environment – levels 2&3
Strand D- time, continuity and change – level 3

Technology: – level 3

Strands A, B & C- ICT and digital cameras
Strands A, B & C- Food technology

Art:

Visual:

- Photography, book covers
- Static image
- Posters
- Invitations
- Painting

What are we learning from working on this project with Yrs 2 & 3?

Interpersonal skills

- Working with people different from ourselves
- Patience
- Co-operation
- Communication skills
- Leadership
- Role modelling
- Learning to listen
- Learning to teach
- Learning to share knowledge and expertise
- Speaking in front of people
- Being responsible for achieving a goal
- Compromise

Knowledge

- The history of our school
- The importance of tradition
- Katherine Mansfield
- How to write formal letters

Skills

- Setting up a website
- Writing for a website
- Taking digital photos
- Understanding the relevance of information