Hello To all,
I'm glad you have taken the time to look at the exciting things that are
happening at Elanora Heights Primary School.
I will give you an overview of the part I play in the G.A.T.S. program and
then lead into the exciting projects students have worked on this year.
Yes I am the Special Groups Leader which simply means I have the privilege
to work with and be facilitator to a group of students who are 'Good
Thinkers'.
The children range from kindergarten to Year 6. Some children I work with
individually while others are grouped in clusters.
The children were asked at the beginning of the program what they were interested in and
from there I was able to create programs to accommodate their interests.
The 3-6th Grade students expressed a great interest in the computer area which is where
I became facilitator and brought in our fabulous and very talented computer teacher,
Judith Bennett.
Judith was able to find us some very exciting topics and projects enabling students to
create web pages, research special interests, and develop computer skills.
Here are three of the projects that the 3-6th Grade students worked on.
The 3-6th Grade students also enjoyed some problem solving 'Brian Teasers' and a
Science experiment.
One particular Year 4 student whom I worked with individually wanted very much to work
with Electronics, so I involved him in the Dick Smith' FUN WAY INTO ELECTRONICS'
kit. He enjoyed this very much and completed three projects
1. A continuity indicator,
2. A transistor tester and
3. A water indicator.
K-2nd Grade students were given a range of activities involving Problem Solving
(Syllogistic, Inductive, and Deductive), Language activities, Maths, Computer, Research
and Art.
Student Acceleration was also a part of our program whereby a Year 2 student was joining
a Year 3/4 class one morning a week. This worked extremely well for a culmination of
reasons. The Principal, teachers involved, parents, and the student all were supportive
and enthusiastic. Our main aim was to extend the child academically and socially. The
student loved his morning session in 3rd Grade so much that he sat for The Basic Skills
Test and did extremely well. Further discussions with the Principal, teachers, parents, and
student were had and a decision was jointly made that the student would spend every
Tuesday in the Year 3/4 class. By doing this he was able to be extended socially and
academically without being removed totally from a peer group and class he already loved
and enjoyed.
It has been a very enjoyable year for both students and teachers involved in this G.A.T.S.
program and we are looking forward to next year's promise.
