The Humanities
At Bayswater West P.S, we deliver a consistent, rich and engaging curriculum by integrating the teaching and learning of content in Science and Technology, The Humanities, Health, Design Technologies and The Capabilities as well as logical integrations of literacy and numeracy; covering all curriculum areas. We provide students with a framework to examine the complex processes that have shaped the modern world and to investigate responses to different challenges including people’s interconnections with the environment. Through eight units, all students from Foundation to Year Six engage in hands-on, quality, learning experiences that are relevant to the world around them. These units include Community, Sustainability, Justice, Creativity, Identity, Change, Discovery and Connections.
During the first week of every unit, students are immersed in the big-picture concept into which they will be inquiring . Immersion tasks often include a video or hands-on experience that provide opportunities to pique student's curiosity, allow for a sharing of ideas and encourage clarifying questions.
Each unit presents to students two Habits of Mind. They learn the focus of each habit and have an opportunity to practise it within the context of the content that they are learning. Links to these habits are made throughout the curriculum, providing a powerful mechanism to teach thinking dispositions to students. Students work individually or in groups as they are exposed to and practise the skills necessary to complete a rich assessment task. Students are introduced to different thinking tools and cooperative strategies and opportunities to connect what they are learning with their lives.
Throughout each unit, students are prompted to develop questions that they have about what they are learning. During week six of each eight-week unit, students from years three to six are prompted to plan and conduct an independent inquiry into one of their questions.
Each unit culminates in a rich assessment task. Students use rubrics to guide their progress and to assess peers. Many units include an opportunity for students to share their completed project with parents and visitors. During the final task in each unit, students are prompted to consider how they will use what they have learnt in the future. They record a reflection, share their ideas with others or create a product to remind them of the skills and knowledge that they have gained.
During the first week of every unit, students are immersed in the big-picture concept into which they will be inquiring . Immersion tasks often include a video or hands-on experience that provide opportunities to pique student's curiosity, allow for a sharing of ideas and encourage clarifying questions.
Each unit presents to students two Habits of Mind. They learn the focus of each habit and have an opportunity to practise it within the context of the content that they are learning. Links to these habits are made throughout the curriculum, providing a powerful mechanism to teach thinking dispositions to students. Students work individually or in groups as they are exposed to and practise the skills necessary to complete a rich assessment task. Students are introduced to different thinking tools and cooperative strategies and opportunities to connect what they are learning with their lives.
Throughout each unit, students are prompted to develop questions that they have about what they are learning. During week six of each eight-week unit, students from years three to six are prompted to plan and conduct an independent inquiry into one of their questions.
Each unit culminates in a rich assessment task. Students use rubrics to guide their progress and to assess peers. Many units include an opportunity for students to share their completed project with parents and visitors. During the final task in each unit, students are prompted to consider how they will use what they have learnt in the future. They record a reflection, share their ideas with others or create a product to remind them of the skills and knowledge that they have gained.
