Teaching & Learning - Specialist Programs
Science
At
Serpentine Primary School, Science is taught as a specialist subject across
Year levels Pre-Primary to Year 6. The Science program is aligned closely with
the National Curriculum, where each term a different strand is explored. The strands are Biological Science, Chemical
Science, Earth and Space Science and Physical Science.
Science classes at Serpentine Primary follow the Explicit Instruction Model and lessons follow the Gradual Release of Responsibility (I Do, We Do, You Do) Model. Students are familiar with this approach as these expectations are included in warm ups at the beginning of each lesson. Also included in warm ups are slides where students revisit key facts, definitions and ideas of content they have studied during the term. Warm ups are revised on a lesson by lesson basis. Each class learns a song as part of their warm ups about the topic being studied. For example, for Earth and Space Science Year 5 learns a song about the different planets. For Chemical Sciences, Year One learns a song about the three states of matter: solids, liquids and gases.
Activities in Science are as hands on as possible, with some open ended tasks where students can investigate and inquire about the subject being explored. Where possible, digital technologies, such as iPads will be utilised, both as research tools and to create a range of work samples of different contexts. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is also employed to investigate and create meaningful experiences that students can apply in a modern day setting. In Chemical Science, Year 4 were investigating the effect of plastic bags on our environment and embarked on a series of lessons to design and manufacture a method of recycling them.
In Science, students are encouraged to think critically and creatively, to explore different ideas and theories and make predictions about the topic they are investigating and to express their knowledge and understanding in a variety of creative activities that suit a range of learning styles. These can include discussions, role play, written and visual art activities.
The Arts
Students
from year 1 to year 6 at Serpentine Primary School receive a 100 minute 'Arts'
lesson each week. The Visual Arts and
Music program encompasses the four Western Australian Curriculum learning areas
of 'Exploring Ideas', 'Developing Skills and Processes', 'Sharing' and 'Responding'.
In visual arts students are exposed to methods of drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, ceramics and digital techniques. Students are encouraged to explore, experiment, create and ultimately display their work in our annual art exhibition.
In classroom music students participate through listening, singing and playing instruments covering a wide range of music genres. Students have the opportunity to play a variety of tuned and un-tuned percussion instruments and ukuleles. Senior students have the opportunity to explore and create music using the app GarageBand on iPads.
Our school choir is made up of students from years 4 to 6, which rehearses after lunch on Wednesday afternoons and during lunchtimes leading up to performances. The students perform in the Senior Dale Fest each year participating in the combined schools singing and individual school performances. The students are given the opportunity to perform in a positive theatrical experience through musical productions where skills in dancing, singing, drama performance, theatre etiquette and co-operation are developed.
A group of select students in years 5 and 6 receive tuition in guitar from an outside instrumental specialist through the SIMS program.
Physical Education and STEM coming soon.