eTime .::. GATE T1 2010

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	Mondays 8 February - 29 March Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences is the focus for the term’s teaching and learning and the children will gain an understanding of this theory as well as insights into their own unique strengths. Our term’s theme is ‘Let the Celebrations Begin’, named after the sophisticated picture book by Margaret Wild and Julie Vivas. The story tells how a group of women used scraps of material and rags to create stuffed toys for children. Set in a concentration camp, this book will deliberately challenge assumptions, provoke philosophical discussion, raise questions and probe our GATE children to think deeply about social and moral issues. A variety of other storybooks will be used to introduce each week’s different themed activities. Celebrations studied will be diverse and wide ranging: the Trojans celebrating victory with the Wooden Horse and the humour of the Mad Hatter’s tea party are just two such examples. These literary rich experiences will lead naturally into the children writing across a range of genre. Here are some of the term’s key learning objectives. The children will: recognise picture books as writing tools which exemplify multiple literary elements; identify elements of character development; apply the elements of characterisation to a piece of their own writing; demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of narratives; explore connections between images and words; review the characteristics of nouns, verbs and adjectives; explore how audience and purpose shape their writing; write with attention to accurate and descriptive word choice; review grammatical structures and ensure understanding of formal language conventions; identify appropriate layouts and images that relate to their writing; revise and edit so completed work is of the highest possible standard; reflect on writing and interact with classmates to give and receive feedback; present findings orally demonstrating learning, organisation and creativity. Trips to the Art Gallery, Arts Centre, adjacent historic buildings and the Botanic Gardens are some of the possible sites that the children will use in exploring this term’s theme. Digital footage of these excursions and internet research will be combined to create a Multiple Intelligences website. Contact eTime