Student Learning

Curriculum Planning Guidelines – Phase 3: Implementation

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Whole school – Case Study: Scientific literacy at Coatesville Primary School

Photo of Coatesville PS kids in science class

 

School: Coatesville Primary School
Location: East Bentleigh
Students: 480

Coatesville Primary School (CPS) has a commitment to inquiry-based learning. This approach builds on students’ curiosity for their world and develops scientific literacy through authentic and engaging contexts. In 2006, the school was accredited as a Performance and Development Culture school.

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Essential questions

Essential questions, which reflect the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) and tap into students’ prior knowledge and interests, form the focus of learning at CPS. These questions guide teacher planning and student learning and promote thinking in a broader context.

Planning is based on the 5Es inquiry approach to learning. Each unit of work follows a familiar sequence to have students engage, explore, explain, elaborate and finally evaluate their learning.

Photo of Coatesville PS kids in science class

The 5Es approach follows a sequence of:

  • Engage – each Primary Connections unit begins with a lesson that captures children’s interest through an activity or question.
  • Explore – students carry out hands-on activities in which they explore a concept or skill.
  • Explain – after students have explored a concept or skill the teacher guides students to develop explanations for the experience.
  • Elaborate – encourages students to apply what they have learned to a new situation.
  • Evaluate – an opportunity for students to review and reflect on their learning.

The rationale

Photo of Coatesville PS kids in science class

Linking science and literacy offers teachers the opportunity to explore the elements of the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PoLT) and focus on student-centred learning.

This approach has given teachers the opportunity to reflect on how best to develop a multi-domain approach using science.

The curriculum

Photo of Coatesville PS kids in science class

The aim at CPS is for students to be immersed in their learning. This is developed through the implementation of cooperative learning groups.

Students work in teams of three. Team tasks are identified and students are encouraged to share their experiences and develop cooperative learning and communication skills.

Science is introduced at every year level. Units are planned in term blocks and themes are decided based on a two year scope and sequence chart.

In many cases, teachers have developed their own modules complementing those available through the Primary Connections program.

See: Primary Connections (http://www.science.org.au/primaryconnections)

The planning tool

Teacher teams plan a unit of work incorporating the 5Es of the inquiry approach. A scientific and literacy checklist provides a guide for the interpretation of data and events. The checklist monitors the phases of learning, the lesson and its purpose. The overarching focus is identified by the ‘essential question’ developed through consultation with the whole class.

Contact

Sue Thomas and Phoebe Rontogiannis
Email: coatesville.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
Telephone: (03) 9570 1652