-Caveat Lector-
>From Irish Times
<<Note: Titles under "Contents" are hot linques>>
> Thursday, September 9, 1999
>
> New Primary
> Curriculum preview
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Following is the full text of a preview of the new Primary Curriculum, issued by
> the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment:
>
> CONTENTS
>
> Curriculum Areas
> Language
> Mathematics
> Social, environmental and scientific education
> Arts education
> Physical education
> Social, personal and health education
> Special Educational Needs
> Parents
> Information and Communications Technologies
> Assessment
>
>
>
> General Introduction
>
> The revised curriculum will be formally submitted to the Minister for Education
> and Science for consideration in the near future. This marks a very significant
> development in the history of primary education and the culmination of many year
> of work by all the partners in education. Its introduction presents all of us
> with a unique opportunity to effect change and to prepare children for the
> challenges and opportunities of the future.
>
> The curriculum will offer teachers a framework from which to plan a programme
> which meets their own unique requirements in the school and classroom. It
> incorporates a number of key benefits. Among these are the following:
>
> 品t is evolutionary, building on current best practice and based on the key
> principles and philosophy of the 1971 curriculum
>
> 品t is forward-looking and aims to develop skills and competences that are
> appropriate for children in the new millennium
>
> 品t is child-centred, focusing on the child as a learner and is directed towards
> developing learning skills and a love of learning
>
> 品t contains a rich variety of practical exemplars and explores a wide range of
> approaches and methodologies in each subject area which will be of great
> assistance to teachers
>
> 品t offers flexibility within a clear structured national framework while
> enabling teachers and schools to plan for different needs and circumstances
>
> 品t is presented in an accessible and user-friendly format to facilitate ease of
> reference and planning
>
> 品t provides for assessment of pupils' progress as an integral part of the
> teaching and learning process
>
> Most importantly the curriculum outlines a detailed and comprehensive range of
> objectives and learning experiences which focus not only on what children learn
> but on how learning takes place. It is resourceful and supportive and is
> designed to provide the necessary guidance and materials for teachers in
> mediating the curriculum in the classroom.
>
> A brief summary of the defining features of the curriculum will provide an
> understanding of some of the main emphases and changes which are envisaged.
> Among the key areas of emphasis are the following:
>
> 付he focus on the process of learning and on the many ways in which children
> learn
>
> 付he importance of active independent learning and in particular active
> exploration of the local environment
>
> 付he importance of the social and emotional dimension in learning and the need
> to build the child's self confidence and self-esteem. The inclusion of Social,
> Personal and Health Education as a key curriculum area is an important new
> element
>
> 付he emphasis on the use of concrete materials and hands-on approaches in all
> curricular areas
>
> 付he importance of collaborative learning and the need for a variety of
> classroom management strategies
>
> 付he emphasis on key skills such as creative problem-solving, critical thinking,
> interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, and the importance of helping children
> to investigate, to question, to observe and to make informed judgements. The
> development of these higher order thinking skills is incorporated in every
> curriculum area
>
> 不kills of inquiry and investigation are a particular feature of the science
> curriculum which is given a renewed emphasis
>
> 付he emphasis on school and classroom planning. There is a wide range of support
> materials in the documentation which gives guidance on planning.
>
> 謬he recognition of the importance of assessment, the use of a varied range of
> assessment methods and tools and an emphasis on assessment as part of a cycle
> which include planning, teaching, learning and assessing
>
> 病 characteristic feature of the development of the curriculum was the close
> involvement and cooperation of the partners in cooperation. This partnership
> approach is also advocated in planning for its implementation in the school.
>
> These features of the curriculum are developed more extensively in this
> bulletin. There is also a brief overview of some of the main areas of emphasis
> in each subject area.
>
> The revised curriculum incorporates the most advanced educational theory and
> practice and is designed to enable children to acquire knowledge and skills that
> are relevant to their lives both as children and adults. As we prepare for the
> 21st century it is important that the curriculum children experience in primary
> school is relevant and imaginative and appropriate to their needs.
A<>E<>R
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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