Mainstream
At Mornington Park we believe students need to be able to read, write, talk, listen and think critically in order to access written, visual and technologically based information in all areas of society. Being confident and competent with literacy is vital to achievement in all areas of learning and we aim to do this through a broad range of activities and teaching methods that cater for all children. This belief underpins all of the literacy learning that occurs at Mornington Park on a daily basis.
At Mornington Park we use a variety of strategies in our reading curriculum to ensure optimum opportunities for students to learn to read and develop a love of literature. Lessons include shared or modelled reading, explicit instruction, independent reading, one to one reading conferences with the teacher and small group work. Targets and goals are set for whole class achievement and individually through reading conferences. We pride ourselves on our well-resourced libraries that are filled with high quality, age appropriate literature for children to access and learn from.
Learning to write is a complicated task. In the early years at school the children will learn to write lowercase letters, capital letters, numerals, mathematical signs and various types of punctuation. Not only do the students learn to write the letters and numbers but also will be taught how to use them correctly to express their ideas in words, sentences and stories.
As the students skill set develops they will be taught to write for different needs. E.g. to persuade, inform, entertain and instruct. Literacy lessons focus on the development of vocabulary, punctuation, sentence structure, organisation, presentation, conventions, developing ideas and a writer’s voice.
At Mornington Park we recognise that the ability to spell fluently and accurately enables students to become more effective writers. Students are supported in spelling based on individual needs as identified through assessments and their own writing. In the early years children are explicitly taught phonics and phonemic awareness.
We believe that speaking and listening is a vital part of literacy that goes hand in hand with reading and writing. At Mornington Park oral language is embedded across all areas of the curriculum. We develop confidence in speaking and listening by giving children a variety of opportunities for public speaking, questioning, collaboration, debating, singing and performance. Our focus is on building vocabulary, composition, fluency, articulation, confidence and self-esteem.
Mathematics
In line with the Victorian Curriculum F-10, Mornington Park students undertake learning the knowledge and skills that underpin numeracy and are explicitly taught in the mathematics strands Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry and Statistics and Probability.
We believe that children learn best through problem solving in real life situations where they can practise reasoning and understanding. We use an activity based approach to mathematics with extensive use of concrete materials in all year levels. We consider the students brain to be the most powerful tool but use ICT and calculators to support and enhance their learning in all areas of mathematics.
All mathematical lessons follow the Mornington Park Mode of Instruction which includes a tuning in activity, explicit instructions, time for exploration, and development of fluency, reflection and summary.
All children learn in different ways and at different rates so all of our students are taught at their point of need regardless of age or year level.
Digital Technologies
At Mornington Park PS, ICT (Information and Communication Technology) enables students to develop their computer and technology skills in order to create and communicate information and ideas. Students learn to stay safe online, create movies, design, learn computer coding, produce engaging presentations, use radio technology and develop into innovative digital citizens. Students in years 3-6 are given the opportunity to use our theatre room and radio studio to practise their skills and foster their interest in technology.
We are an e safe school and place strong significance on developing responsible users of technology.
At Mornington Park PS we have one to one device provision for students. In F-2 children are all provided with an iPad for learning at school and in years 3-6 children have a laptop.
Inquiry & Investigative Learning
In Prep and Grade 1/2 the children take part in play based and investigative learning. Literacy and Numeracy are embedded within investigations as well as being explicitly taught throughout the rest of the day. The nature of play-based experiences promotes creativity, imagination and scope for children to invent, explore, create and problem solve. The children’s interests are the predominant means for learning experiences during investigations. The teacher works with focus children each session using their interests to extend, scaffold and support them with their investigations to ensure ongoing engagement in all areas of learning. Observation and documentation by teachers identifies key skills, needs, strengths and interests of individual children and are used to plan and implement appropriate experiences and set further learning and developmental objectives.
In Grades 3-6 the students work both independently and collaboratively on inquiry projects. Topics include Australian History and our journey from the Dreamtime to current and historical Government structures. Students inquire about past and present Immigration and Refugees. We look at the world around us and investigate Space, Physical Sciences, Local and World Geography and Natural Disasters. Children develop their skills with a variety of research methods and are involved in the assessment of their own work as well as their peers. Students present their findings through various mediums and to a range of audiences. We have wonderful links with the wider community and incursion and excursions facilitate children’s enhancement of these topics.
© Mornington Park Primary School