Discovery Learning

               Junior Team-Discovery Learning 2012

Discovery Time will be a regular part of the class learning programme in Rooms K1, K0, Room 2, Room 3, Room 4 and Room 5.

A little background ...the key competencies are an integral component of the New Zealand Curriculum and at HNPS, they are woven through all learning and teaching programmes.  Discovery Time provides an activity-based, student-directed context in which the key competencies are explored and developed.  Discovery Time has been developed by two teachers – Brenda Martin and Gay Hay – and has been introduced in many schools.   The Discovery Time programme allows teachers and students to co-create a positive learning environment where students direct and take responsibility for their own learning.

So, what does this mean in the classroom?  On Fridays from 11.30-12.50, the children learn through a range of well planned, structured, “hands on” experiences.  The children can make choices as to which activity they want to try, how they want to work and what they want to do. The children work alongside each other as they explore the possibilities of the activities.  At the end of each session, the children spend time sharing what they did and what they learned.

We welcome you along, if you would like to join in the fun!   Please be aware that our role as supporting helpers is not to do the task for the child but to extend their thinking by asking the right questions.  In the past we have had some very keen grandparents and Dad’s helping out.  The more the merrier!! 

We welcome any of the following items to be used in Discovery Time. Please send them along to your child’s class teacher-

Magazines, boxes-mainly small to cereal sized, wool, material, braiding, cardboard cylinders ( not toilet rolls), wood off cuts for carpentry construction, pine-cones, shells, cards, ribbons, beads, corks, lids and any other items that the children could use creatively!!

Discovery time begins this Friday, 11.30.  If you are able to help out, please speak to your child’s teacher.  We would love to see you.