Learning @ Discovery 1
What is Discovery Learning about?
We aim to foster intrinsic motivation and a love of learning. We seek to encourage thinking curiosity, and reflection. We believe in challenge, innovation and taking risks.
Discovery Learning will be progressive in it’s approach. Blending the best of contemporary and innovative practice. It will also incorporate, self management, experiential learning, the key competencies, inquiry and authentic assessment.
It is vital that children have an understanding of what it is they need to learn, their strengths and weaknesses and value personal curriculum. IEM’s and learning intentions are a key ingredient in this.
We are a learning community, partnership between parents, children and LA’s are bound by core values. Respect and trust are paramount. Support for all learners within the community leads to a successful environment.
Our Core Beliefs and Values are...
Respect
Care
Trust
Collaboration
Community
Innovation
Responsibility
Our Principles of Effective Learning are...
constructivism
managing self
experiential learning
purposeful learning
accountibility
progressive learning theory
community partnership
global and future thinking
reflection
Our curriculum...
Discovery 1 Curriculum
National Curriculum
Personally chosen Curriculum
The Key Competencies
Strategic Direction
Teaching and Learning
Progressive
Teaching and learning will reflect up to date knowledge, theory and practice
Managing Self
We are seeking to grow children towards an understanding of how to manage self. We believe that children should know themselves as learners and be able to make good decisions about what it is they learn, when they learn and for how long.
Experiential
Where possible learning will be experiential with balance between learning in rich real life contexts and learning in abstractions
Learning experiences will be real and meaningful. With the support of staff, children will construct their own understandings of the world around them, using local experts and mentors to.
Responsible
Growing responsibility and maturity is crucial part of the Discovery 1 community. Responsibility for our mission and vision belongs to everyone. We are accountable for our own and others' learning, committed to being part of the overall team.
Differentiation
We believe that different children have different learning styles and that this is reflected in the way learning is organised. Intentions around these differences will be manaqed through IEM's and HB descriptions.
Individualised
Learning should reflect each individual child's learning needs, where possible. Natural grouping occurs when all learning intentions are collated and group work is encouraged.
Learning experiences should reflect personally chosen curriculum, intermeshed with Literacy, Numeracy and Hauora.
Authentic
Learning, planning and assessment will be relevant, authentic and meaningful. They must benefit learning, demonstrate that professional standards are being met and avoid being onerous.
Community
Partnership
All practice at Discovery 1 is a reflection of the collaboration between the enthusiasm and ideas of the child, the knowledge, opinion and expertise of parents, and the professional skill of our staff.
Individual Education Meetings
A collaborative forum, meeting at least once a term where child, parent and learning advisor can reflect on prior learning, assess current needs and set learning intentions for future learning. All parties take responsibility for achieving the learning intentions set together.
Learning Community
Discovery 1 is a subset of the wider Christchurch community who will be involved in teaching and learning. In this respect, Discovery 1 seeks to be a learning base and learning happens where learning best happens. This could be at the learning base, in the city community, at home, or in the world beyond.
Shared Culture
Core Beliefs and Values
The Core Beliefs and Values of Discovery 1 underpin all practice, attitudes, and behaviours. We believe that in a caring climate of mutual respect and trust, our shared culture allows us to work successfully together.
Communication
Openness, honesty and integrity in communication are paramount.
The basic mode of communication is between child, parent, and their learning advisor.
Continuous Improvement
Reflection
We believe that everyone is a learner. Our capacity to listen and learn from each other is important. Reflective practice and a willingness to test ideas is key to being a community that focuses on continuous improvement.
Community
Discovery 1 is committed to the growth and development of all members of its learning community.
Staff
Investment in the ongoing professional development of staff is key.
Innovation
We believe that innovation is fundamental to quality schooling. That rapid adoption of innovation is crucial to succeeding in this new century.
Core Curriculum
Inquiry and Higher Order Thinking
We believe that the skill of thinking and the tools for problem solving are a crucial component of our core curriculum. An important focus will be the development of thinking abilities.
Programmes will include a diverse range of strategies to promote thinking. This will include:
- problem solving in both individual and group situations
- creative thinking
- logic and reasoning
- multiple intelligences
Literacy and Numeracy
Success in both literacy and numeracy is crucial.
Balance
Balance between curriculums should be evident in our learning programmes.
Information and Communication Technology
Children, parents and staff will use rich ICT when it enhances learning. Discovery 1 is committed to providing up to date, modern technology.
Treaty of Waitangi
Discovery 1 recognises the unique place of Maori in our community.
Practice at Discovery 1 should reflect this.
Key Competencies
Using the new key competencies will enhance our programme, they fit very well with our vision and dovetail with our ideas about thinking, managing self and community
iDiscover
This is the recording tool for gathering all the relevant information needed to track the individual learning journey of each child.
