Years 3 and 4

Our skilled educators identify the different interests, goals and learning styles of each child to guide their learning.The authenticity of our learning experiences across all subject areas promotes interest and makes our learning more meaningful. Students can often be found exploring a nature reserve, tramping, visiting beaches or libraries.

In this class, all students formally engage in reading, writing and maths in a structured and sequenced manner. Educators work alongside the students, engaging each child in ways that best suit their style of learning. Personalised projects are encouraged and educators work with the children to explore their interests and passions.

They are met at their individual learning levels and supported to work at a pace that is appropriate for them, expanding and developing their literacy and maths skills. Numerous hands-on ‘out of the classroom’ activities and engaging materials link to these foundations they are developing. For example, cooking cements maths skills, hiking supports science projects, zoo and farm visits support animal studies and playing an active part in the annual school production develops teamwork skills.

Learning becomes more project-based and is more directly structured around curriculum goals. The children have a lot of say in what goes on during the day, which engages them in class and allows them to feel safe trying new things, adjusting to difficulties and asking for help when needed. Students are often teaching one another skills they have learnt, taking their learning to new levels and developing collaborative relationships.

In this important stage of personal development, students are asked to take responsibility for the decisions they make and how these impact on others in the class. Daily centering supports the children to come back to themselves and notice how they are feeling, and what they need.