Introduction This Language syllabus details the knowledge, skills and attitudes that students should achieve in Elementary Prep, one and two in their vernacular communication skills. These are expressed as learning outcomes and indicators. The learning outcomes are student-centred and written in terms that enable them to be demonstrated, assessed or measured. The outcomes are written to show the progression from one grade to the next. Each learning outcome is illustrated with a list of examples of the kinds of things students should be able to do, know and understand if they are achieving an outcome. These are called indicators. The learning outcomes and indicators will: • give teachers individually or in groups, the flexibility to write programs and units of work, which should be developed to suit local conditions and individual student needs • help teachers assess and report on students’ achievements in relation to the learning outcomes • allow student achievement of the outcomes to be described in consistent ways • help teachers monitor students’ learning • help teachers plan their future teaching programs. In order for the students to meet the outcomes of this syllabus, the teacher and the students must speak well the language of instruction. Teachers need to read and write fluently the vernacular of the students. In Papua New Guinea vernacular means ‘tokples’, which is also called ‘mother tongue’ in many countries. The vernacular in Papua New Guinea could be one of the Papua New Guinea’s 850 local languages including Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu and English. In Language, a number of outcomes is identified for each grade from Elementary Prep to Elementary 2. The outcomes are: • organised to show progression from one grade to the next • organised into strands which contain a family of separate outcomes that are related to a particular themes—speaking and listening, reading and writing • numbered to help teachers track similar outcomes linked to the strands from one grade to the next • written to include all the essential knowledge, skills and understanding a student should achieve in the Language course • created using an active verb to ensure students actively participate in the learning. 1 Elementary syllabus In this Language syllabus all outcomes are presented in an integrated way giving the teacher clear guidance on how this course is to be organised and taught. Although language is a means to communicate and understand other subjects by learning through language, Language lessons must be used to learn about language. Oral English is introduced in the second half of Elementary 2. Language is to be timetabled for 360 minutes per week in all Elementary schools. 2 Language Rationale The Elementary curriculum recognises and respects the languages and cultures of different communities. Elementary education fosters students’ pride in their own cultures and languages. Education at this level is for three-years and is in students’ own communities using a language that the students already speak fluently. The school relies on and utilises local people for their knowledge, skills, values and attitudes and resources which are important in that community. Young people should acquire high levels of language ability to enable them to play a full part in modern society. They should expand and extend their language use as it is essential to their intellectual, social and emotional development. Students need to acquire language skills and confidence in order to progress in key learning areas. Students need to learn to use language in different ways from expressive and artistic forms to finding information and acquiring knowledge. The curriculum aims to develop language skills in speaking and listening, reading and writing whilst encouraging and extending students’ skills to be active thinkers and confident users of language. Through programs based on this syllabus, students should gain knowledge, skills and understanding. This will help them to communicate their thoughts and feelings, participate in community activities and learn to make decisions. 3 Elementary syllabus Curriculum principles Our way of life Our customs, traditions and values The syllabus provides for the growth of our cultural identity through vernacular language skills and activities. It is through language that important aspects of our country’s many cultures are transferred from one generation to the next and between people who live and work together but who originate from different cultures. Our cultures, languages and communities are at the very heart of the vernacular Elementary curriculum. Ethics, morals and values Papua New Guinea’s National Curriculum Statement emphasises the process of socialisation and interaction. Students will communicate their knowledge, skills, attitudes and spiritual and moral values in their communities. They will learn how to communicate for different audiences, purposes and situations. In Elementary, students will learn to use language confidently in other subject areas. Multiculturalism As a multicultural society, we must protect, promote and respect our many cultures and languages. The diversity of our cultures is the source of our knowledge, skills, attitudes and Melanesian values. These values will be promoted and knowledge in language and literacy will enable students to share understanding of these with the rest of the world. In the same way, students will learn to exchange understanding from stories and knowledge from the past relating to their own communities and environments. In this way, multiculturalism will be maintained and enjoyed while learning experiences will be enriched. Integral human development Papua New Guinea is a rapidly changing society and faces many challenges. To face these effectively, an individual must strive to reach their full potential socially, intellectually, emotionally, mentally and physically and work with other agents of education such as the home, school and community. The Philosophy of Education for Papua New Guinea, known as the Matane Report, acknowledges the National Goals and Directive Principles in the National Constitution and is based on Integral Human Development: 4 Language • integral in the sense that all aspects of a person are important • human in the sense that social relationships are basic • development in the sense that every individual has the potential to grow in knowledge, wisdom, understanding, skill and goodness. Citizenship Through working individually, in pairs or in small groups, the students will be guided how to relate responsibly to others and to respect each others’ opinions, talents, traditions and beliefs. Students will know that each citizen of Papua New Guinea has a role in the growth of their country and that Papua New Guinea herself belongs to a much larger global family. Catering for diversity–gender Gender is what it means to be a woman or man. Gender refers to behaviours and attitudes that are accepted culturally as ways of being a woman, femininity, and of being a man, masculinity. Gender is culturally determined. In Papua New Guinea there is a need to be mindful for the local cultural practices and values with respect to traditional roles of females and males. Catering for diversity–students with special needs Many students have special needs. These special needs may include students who are gifted or disadvantaged, physically, emotionally and intellectually. 5 Elementary syllabus Teaching and learning Elementary education is based on the children’s own languages and cultures. The classes should have an integrated curriculum which is organised under the following subjects—Language, Cultural Mathematics and Culture and Community. As well as learning skills and acquiring knowledge, students should develop appropriate attitudes and an understanding of important issues. They should have pride in themselves, their cultures, languages and communities, as well as respect for other people and their cultures and communities. Teachers should be encouraged to develop activities using a range of teaching methods, materials and other support resources that are relevant and appropriate to students’ cultural and language needs. Students should work as individuals and in groups. Some students learn best through such activities as reading on their own, working in small groups, talking with peers, observing, drawing pictures, writing stories with others and finding information for themselves. Most students use a combination of these. Students should be encouraged to think critically about what they are learning and to take responsibility for their learning. They should learn to teach each other and learn from each other. They should learn how to work things out for themselves and how to get the information they need. They need to think in ways that make sense by using their experiences, knowledge, intelligence and imagination. Flexibility In Elementary, the school day is four hours long. The curriculum and learning materials are based on activities, stories, culture, beliefs and environment of the community. Teachers need to be flexible during planning and teaching to allow for spontaneous or unplanned learning experiences to take place any time during the school day. 6 Language Thematic teaching and integration Elementary teaching is integrated and based on meaning-centred learning that is relevant to students’ lives and to the values of their communities. The students’ learning is made easier if they take part in activities that are interesting, have meaning for their lives, have a purpose and allow them to learn in their natural everyday learning style. An integrated curriculum is organised into these areas of study, Language, Cultural Mathematics and Culture and Community. Literacy involves the ability to solve problems, learn useful strategies, self-monitor and take risks in learning. Literacy occurs in all areas of the curriculum. A balanced language program will involve students with experiences that aid the development of their own unique skills and strategies for use in reading and writing practices. Teachers need to provide experiences for a student to become a code breaker, meaning maker, text user and text analyst in reading and able to develop and understand a range of written texts. The teaching of language must focus on real-life, lifelike and focused learning experiences that ensure students know how to use the skills and strategies they have developed on a range of texts in a variety of contexts. Speaking, listening, reading and writing occurs in all aspects of life. The whole language approach has been an important aspect of thematic teaching and integration in the past. In whole language learning, the focus is on the natural way language is used to communicate meaningful information rather than a set of rules. This approach is based on the belief that students learn language and literacy as naturally as they learn to walk and talk. Natural learning is to learn things in the same way as we learn things outside the classroom. Research now suggests that this is a necessary part of a balanced language program, but not sufficient on its own. Children also need a set of skills to become code breakers, understanding the rules, the vocabulary, the links between sounds and letters, along with specific strategies to read and write different texts for different purposes. Children must also be shown how to make meaning from a text, the uses of texts and how people use words to make us think, feel or believe certain things. 7 Elementary syllabus Adults help children to learn language and literacy skills when they: • read to them daily and help them to notice the features of a text, thinking and talking about how it makes them feel, what it makes them think and understand • model writing many different types of texts, noticing the features that make the text a story, a legend, a recipe, an address or a set of instructions on how to make something • model story telling • teach children many ways to work out for themselves how to read or write in the shared way of their community • help children to see that texts are made for specific purposes and convey a shared meaning to all. Inclusive curriculum The curriculum must offer equal opportunities for girls and boys to reach their full potential. It must meet the needs of all students regardless of their abilities, gender, geographic location or cultural and language backgrounds. Class activities and methods of assessment must be targeted fairly at both female and male students. Relevance Elementary education should be relevant to the social, spiritual, and resource development needs of the student’s community. This can be achieved by relating the skills and knowledge of subjects to real-life situations. For example, in language, students can write advertisements for products such as food or for singsing and sporting events. People from the community could be brought into the classroom to help teach a topic and assist the students with projects such as making traditional bilas. Student-centred learning Student-centred learning recognises the fact that no two classes are alike and no two children are the same in respect to their needs. A teacher who uses a student-centred approach will provide students with an environment that will motivate them to acquire new skills and knowledge. The teacher will plan activities that meet the needs and interest of the students. 8 Language Multigrade teaching Multigrade teaching refers to classes where there are students from more than one grade with one teacher. The language course needs to be implemented using a variety of approaches to meet the range of individual learning needs in these situations. Multigrade teaching is encouraged in Elementary. Teachers should be aware that in all classes, students are of mixed abilities. Teaching strategies for multigrade classes are appropriate in these circumstances as well. Multigrade teaching involves: • using peer work in small or large groups at different levels with the same class • careful planning and organisation to provide supervision and assistance during learning • annual intakes in small schools which previously only had intakes once every two or three years. A thematic approach is appropriate to use with multigrade classes. Students of different grades can work side by side on similar themes, such as food, environment, animals and cultural practices. 9 Elementary syllabus Aims Students who are literate in the language of the community will be able to: • develop skills in problem solving, knowing what to do, planning their activity and thinking for themselves • develop effective listening skills • participate effectively in oral discussion and share ideas and opinions in other subjects and about issues in the local communities • show interest in books, read with enjoyment and be aware of different types of written texts • understand letter and word sounds, phonemes and have a knowledge of their language to read and spell accurately • read, write and speak with confidence, fluency and understanding in their vernacular language • use literacy to begin to extend their intellectual, social and emotional development and appreciate the importance of literacy as an integral part of any culture • become aware of the purpose and way writers of different types of texts want to make us feel or influence us with the words they use • begin to use a range of non-fiction texts to locate information in all their school subjects and show an understanding of their content • enjoy and explore language through creative activities such as poetry, song, storytelling, dance and drama • develop handwriting skills • begin to plan, draft, revise and edit their own writing. 10 Language Content overview The content of this syllabus is organised in three strands. A strand is a useful and convenient way of organising the learning outcomes for a subject. Each strand identifies a particular aspect of the subject. In each strand, a typical progression of learning is outlined from one grade to the next. Language in Elementary Prep to Elementary 2 has three strands: • Speaking and listening • Reading • Writing. Each strand is further organised into three substrands to allow the content to be more clearly specified and described as learning outcomes. Each strand has three substrands: • Production • Skills and strategies • Context and text. Production This substrand gives the students opportunities to practise speaking, listening, reading and writing in everyday learning styles that are relevant and meaningful to their lives. The students should be given opportunities to learn language and literacy as naturally as they learn to walk and talk. Students take part in language activities that are relevant and meaningful to their lives in the community. They learn to listen to stories and tell stories. They share their experiences with their peers and express a personal point of view as well as contributing in class and group discussions. They practise ways of reading fiction and non-fiction texts for enjoyment and to gain information and write a variety of texts or genres for different purposes and audiences. 11 Elementary syllabus Skills and strategies This substrand gives students tools which they can use to make sense of the language that they use in the classroom or come across in their communities. There are basic day-to-day uses of language. Therefore, students should learn the rules for speaking, listening, reading and writing. The students should develop skills and processes such as asking and answering questions or presenting information in sequence. They need to develop reading skills such as using pictures to help them understand texts and responding appropriately to story books and information texts. The students should develop writing skills such as using order in stories, writing beginning and ending sounds of words, and using capital letters and full stops correctly. Context and text This substrand helps students to look at how oral language and written language are created and presented for different purposes with different groups of people or audiences. The word text, as used in this syllabus, refers to any spoken or written communication performed by one person or many people. There are factual and fictional texts. Factual texts include reports, recounts, explanations, procedures, discussions, reviews, lists, letters, invitations and recipes, while fictional texts include plays, poems, stories and legends. Texts can be spoken as in conversation and dialogue, or be visual or drawn as in photos or diagrams, and recorded and presented in electronic form such as fax and e-mail. The word context, as used in this syllabus, means the people or audiences and the purpose for which the text is created. Spoken and written texts are used to interact with people or audiences. It is important for students to know that the context or audience and the purpose can determine the type of text to be created and presented. 12 Language Table of strands and substrands for Elementary Language Strand Elementary Prep Elementary 1 Elementary 2 Speaking and • Production • Production • Production listening • Skills and strategies • Skills and strategies • Skills and strategies • Context and text • Context and text • Context and text Reading • Production • Production • Production • Skills and strategies • Skills and strategies • Skills and strategies • Context and text • Context and text • Context and text Writing • Production • Production • Production • Skills and strategies • Skills and strategies • Skills and strategies • Context and text • Context and text • Context and text 13 Elementary syllabus Learning outcomes Numbering of learning 0utcomes Each learning outcome is numbered with three digits, such as 1.1.1. The first number refers to the grade level. The second number refers to the strand. The third number refers to the outcome in the strand. Thus, 1.1.1 refers to an outcome at Elementary 1, strand 1 and outcome number 1. Strand Elementary Prep Elementary 1 Elementary 2 Speaking and P.1.1 Communicate with 1.1.1 Communicate with 2.1.1 Communicate with listening peers and known adults people from the school people from the on familiar topics community on familiar community for a range and introduced topics of purposes No outcome at this grade No outcome at this grade 2.1.2 Respond to basic English instructions and messages P.1.3 Use basic 1.1.3 Apply speaking and 2.1.3 Use speaking and requirements of listening skills in the listening skills in a speaking and listening classroom and range of roles community No outcome at this grade No outcome at this grade 2.1.4 Compare vernacular alphabet sounds with English alphabet sounds P.1.5 Identify different 1.1.5 Adapt spoken 2.1.5 Use a variety of oral contexts and vernacular to suit oral texts situations different day-to-day spontaneously and situations appropriately No outcome at this grade No outcome at this grade 2.1.6 Say English words and phrases in context to suit the situation Reading P.2.1 Read and 1.2.1 Read and respond 2.2.1 Read understand short to a range of texts independently using predictable texts own knowledge and experiences P.2.2 Develop strategies 1.2.2 Use a range of 2.2.2 Select and apply a to read and understand strategies to variety of strategies to short predictable texts understand print and interpret print and picture texts picture texts P.2.3 Recognise that 1.2.3 Identify ways in 2.2.3 Interpret how texts writing and pictures are which writing and are used for different used to convey pictures are structured social and cultural meaning for different for different purposes purposes purposes 14 Language Strand Elementary Prep Elementary 1 Elementary 2 Writing P.3.1 Use pictures and 1.3.1 Write texts for a 2.3.1 Plan, write, edit and writing to represent variety of purposes publish fiction and ideas and information information texts P.3.2 Recognise 1.3.2 Use a range of 2.3.2 Select and apply a strategies that help strategies to write variety of strategies to them to write texts plan, review and edit texts P.3.3 Recognise that 1.3.3 Identify some of 2.3.3 Identify ways in pictures and writing the purposes of writing which print and pictures are used for different differ according to their purposes purpose and audience 15 Elementary syllabus Learning outcomes and indicators Strand: Speaking and listening Substrand Elementary Prep Elementary 1 Elementary 2 Production P.1.1 Communicate with 1.1.1 Communicate with 2.1.1 Communicate with peers and known adults people from the school people from the on familiar topics community on familiar community for a range and introduced topics of purposes Indicators Students will be Students will be Students will be achieving this outcome achieving this outcome achieving this outcome when they, for example when they, for example when they, for example • tell stories from their • report on events and • listen to and tell a wide own community activities from the range of stories • describe objects of community • discuss events in their interest such as toys or • retell main points of own community pets to the class stories told or read • make appropriate • say short poems, aloud contributions in class rhymes • talk about a topic of and group discussions • discuss characters in interest • present brief reports to stories • tell stories from the class groups on • talk about their community and personal experiences experiences personal experiences • listen to the viewpoint • role-play characters in • tell jokes and riddles to of others and express a stories told or read to peers personal point of view them • express feelings, • give a series of oral • rephrase sentences needs and wants, likes instructions and ideas from stories and dislikes • respond appropriately in their own words • identify and describe when others seek • talk about own drawing, objects, events and information from them writing and reading to ideas • speak in a way that others • role-play an imaginary persuades and • talk about favourite character or situation influences books and stories • help to formulate class rules • provide simple explanations 16 Language Strand: Speaking and listening Substrand Elementary Prep Elementary 1 Elementary 2 Production No outcome at this grade No outcome at this grade 2.1.2 Respond to basic English instructions and messages Indicators Students will be achieving this outcome when they, for example • take risks in using English greetings • respond to simple requests such as ‘Please, close the door’ • give appropriate responses to simple questions 17 Elementary syllabus Strand: Speaking and listening Substrand Elementary Prep Elementary 1 Elementary 2 Skills and P.1.3 Use basic 1.1.3 Apply speaking and 2.1.3 Use speaking and strategies requirements of listening skills in the listening skills in a speaking and listening classroom and range of roles community Indicators Students will be Students will be Students will be achieving this outcome achieving this outcome achieving this outcome when they, for example when they, for example when they, for example • use and respond to • talk to the whole class • plan questions to be appropriate gestures using an aid such as a used in an interview • use, ask and answer big book or an object • rehearse presentations questions • present information in for a school assembly • use appropriate tone of sequence • direct and control voice • improve their discussions during • make simple requests vocabulary by saying class meetings or in things in different ways small groups • hear the different sounds of the language • listen to a partner and • listen to the views of accurately repeat their others and add their • listen to simple message to others own relevant ideas or explanations and make views appropriate responses • listen to a guest speaker from the • follow oral instructions • give and follow simple community and ask on how to complete an oral instructions relevant questions activity involving one step at a time • respond to questions • initiate ideas in group appropriately discussions • join in with others to say words that have the • use and respond to • ask help from others to same sound non-verbal solve problems communication such as • hear the beginning, end • listen to and share facial expressions, and middle sounds in information with peers hand gestures, body words • respond sensitively to language • talk to each other in what others say • listen to peers and give pairs or small groups • retell how to make positive feedback • take turns to speak and things • tell and understand listen • retell stories or events jokes and riddles • tell own experiences to others and retell stories • notice rhymes, same sounds at the beginning, in the middle and end of spoken and written words 18 Language Strand: Speaking and listening Substrand Elementary Prep Elementary 1 Elementary 2 Skills and No outcome at this grade No outcome at this grade 2.1.4 Compare strategies vernacular alphabet sounds with English alphabet sounds Indicators Students will be achieving this outcome when they, for example • say familiar English sounds • say or sing basic English rhymes or songs • locate similar sounds in both languages • identify new and different sounds in English • recite the sounds of the English alphabet 19 Elementary syllabus Strand: Speaking and listening Substrand Elementary Prep Elementary 1 Elementary 2 Context and P.1.5 Identify different 1.1.5 Adapt spoken 2.1.5 Use a variety of text oral contexts and vernacular to suit oral texts situations different day-to-day spontaneously and situations appropriately Indicators Students will be Students will be Students will be achieving this outcome achieving this outcome achieving this outcome when they, for example when they, for example when they, for example • name situations at • listen to a message • use manners, school such as from a friend and language gestures and assembly, group work change the language body language and playground where for another audience appropriate to the language is used • recognise different setting differently ways of using spoken • role-play situations to • talk about the different language to match spoken texts purposes of familiar communicate face to with informal and spoken texts such as face, to a crowd, on formal settings role-play, community radio • compare ways of meetings, church • greet people differently talking in different meetings according to their situations such as • greet and respond relationship home, community appropriately to others • hear differences in the meeting, classroom, such as teacher, way people speak in a cultural activities parents, brothers, variety of situations • repeat simple English sisters, friends, words, phrases, songs ministers, wantoks and rhymes • control their voices such as gently, loudly, politely to suit the situation 20 Language Strand: Speaking and listening Substrand Elementary Prep Elementary 1 Elementary 2 Context No outcome at this grade No outcome at this grade 2.1.6 Say English words and text and phrases in context to suit the situation Indicators Students will be achieving this outcome when they, for example • use simple English greetings such as ‘good morning’ before lunch time, ‘hello’ and not ‘goodbye’ at appropriate times • select the right name for the day of the week • count objects in English • say the names of some common foods, colours, shapes using English 21 Elementary syllabus Strand: Reading Substrand Elementary Prep Elementary 1 Elementary 2 Production P.2.1 Read and 1.2.1 Read and respond 2.2.1 Read understand short to a range of texts independently using predictable texts own knowledge and experiences Indicators Students will be Students will be Students will be achieving this outcome achieving this outcome achieving this outcome when they, for example when they, for example when they, for example • read along with others • role-play characters • retell the main points of in big book shared - from stories a big book story with reading experiences • read simple instructions correct sequence and • read simple stories with and messages details a partner or in small • read aloud to another • read silently for periods groups person of time • select own book to read • perform a simple • read fiction for personal with a partner puppet-play to retell a enjoyment and interest • read own written and story • read information texts picture texts such as • read stories silently to locate information simple sentences, short • pick out main ideas • read big books aloud to recounts of their from big book peers or younger experiences, word lists information texts children with pictures • read texts from charts, • choose appropriate • look at books, charts, posters, pictures books for silent reading posters and pictures • read stories and • read and understand • ask and answer rhymes with a partner more complex questions about simple messages and stories read aloud • draw pictures to retell a instructions story • relate personal • dress up and perform experiences to the text • draw simple sketches role-plays about main or diagrams to show • retell a story with characters from texts ideas from information pictures or sequencing texts • recognise the structure cards of different types of texts such as poems, simple plays and stories • respond to text by expressing own point of view • respond to stories by relating them to personal experiences 22 Language Strand: Reading Substrand Elementary Prep Elementary 1 Elementary 2 Skills and P.2.2 Develop strategies 1.2.2 Use a range of 2.2.2 Select and apply a strategies to read and understand strategies to variety of strategies to short predictable texts understand print and interpret print and picture texts picture texts Indicators Students will be Students will be Students will be achieving this outcome achieving this outcome achieving this outcome when they, for example when they, for example when they, for example • recognise that pictures • use punctuation such • summarise the main aid reading and use as commas and full events from big book them to understand texts stops to help them read stories • ask questions about and understand texts • summarise the main books read to them • choose an appropriate points from simple • identify repetition of book for reading by information texts words in big books looking at the cover and • respond to punctuation reading the first one or • use pictures to predict marks such as full two pages what the story is about stops, question marks, • use pictures as an aid commas when reading • recognise words are to reading and separated by spaces • recall parts of texts that understanding have been read to help • recognise words are • use pictures to predict follow the story line made of letters with what is going to happen distinct sounds • make changes to texts next in the text by making up new • recognise sentences are • discuss the meaning of endings or changing made up of words words from stories names of characters • recognise the pages of a • use letter and word • understand the plot by book are numbered cards to make words identifying words in the • recognise that a book and simple sentences text that indicate where, has a cover page, has • sound out and read why, when and how an author and is aloud new words by actions take place illustrated by an using knowledge of the • locate information from illustrator sounds of their a text to support their • read from left to right language point of view and top to bottom • read past unknown • retell how to make or • sound out unknown words to guess what do something from a words by splitting into the word could be from recipe or set of syllables or sounds the context directions • predict unknown words • name the different parts by looking at first letter of a book such as the and guessing a word cover page, title page, that makes sense table of contents • reread a sentence if it • use sequence cards or does not make sense picture cards to show • recognise the beginning the order of events in a and end of texts story 23 Elementary syllabus Strand: Reading Substrand Elementary Prep Elementary 1 Elementary 2 Context and P.2.3 Recognise that 1.2.3 Identify ways in 2.2.3 Interpret how text writing and pictures are which writing and texts are used for used to convey pictures are structured different social and meaning for different for different purposes cultural purposes purposes Indicators Students will be Students will be Students will be achieving this outcome achieving this outcome achieving this outcome when they, for example when they, for example when they, for example • participate in shared • talk about different • discuss some of the reading of different purposes of written different purposes of types of texts such as texts such as letters to visual texts such as poems, rhymes, chants, send messages, charts, maps, narrative, lists, letters, invitations to invite diagrams, photographs invitations, recipes, guests, lists to help • make things such as advertisements, them remember things, bilums by following procedures, reports, advertisements to sell written instructions explanations, things • use maps to locate exposition, discussions, • recognise how different things in the community responses, reviews types of texts such as • display the different poems, local recipes, • work out meanings of kinds of reading simple plays, lists, words from the context materials such as hymn legends are set out • look at different pictures books, newspapers, • recognise how the and say what they letters, bills, shopping author wants to make mean lists, bride price lists, us feel from the text diaries, calendars used • compare pictures in and words chosen at home and in the fictional texts with those • identify a familiar community in information texts product such as rice or • draw appropriate noodles by its label or a pictures to match the particular place such as different types of texts a shop or trade store, church or health centre because of a symbol or sign used to identify it 24 Language Strand: Writing Substrand Elementary Prep Elementary 1 Elementary 2 Production P.3.1 Use pictures and 1.3.1 Write texts for a 2.3.1 Plan, write, edit and writing to represent variety of purposes publish fiction and ideas and information information texts Indicators Students will be Students will be Students will be achieving this outcome achieving this outcome achieving this outcome when they, for example when they, for example when they, for example • scribble and use • write and publish • plan, write, edit and symbols to represent different types of texts publish fiction and letters such as poems, information texts by • label objects in the rhymes, chants, themselves, in groups classroom such as narrative, lists, letters, and pairs seat, table, door, invitations, recipes, • use appropriate window advertisements, structures to sequence procedures, reports, • write their own names different types of writing explanations, such as poems, plays, • write titles for their own exposition, discussions, rhymes, chants, pictures responses, reviews narrative, lists, letters, • write a message to a • use simple sentences invitations, recipes, friend to retell their own advertisements, • write simple cards experiences procedures, reports, • tell a story and ask • use order such as a explanations, someone write it down beginning, middle, end exposition, discussions, • contribute by making in stories responses, reviews relevant suggestions • write simple • write simple letters to when the teacher is advertisements to classmates, family or modelling writing advertise the sale of imaginary friends • model writing of a things • write advertisements for variety of texts such as • create their own stories products such as food, poems, rhymes, chants, using simple sentences singsing, sporting narrative, lists, letters, in groups, pairs and events invitations, recipes, alone advertisements, • work together to write procedures, reports, and illustrate Big Books explanations, for the class exposition, discussions, • write messages for responses, reviews others in the class to read 25 Elementary syllabus Strand: Writing Substrand Elementary Prep Elementary 1 Elementary 2 Skills and P.3.2 Recognise 1.3.2 Use a range of 2.3.2 Select and apply a strategies strategies that help strategies to write texts variety of strategies to them to write plan, review and edit texts Indicators Students will be Students will be Students will be achieving this outcome achieving this outcome achieving this outcome when they, for example when they, for example when they, for example • leave spaces between • use order in stories • use class proof reading words or word-like • improve work they have as a guide to edit own clusters of letters written and peers’ writing • trace around cardboard • self correct own work • use capital letters and letter shapes full stops correctly • use punctuation in • copy letters and words written work • publish final copies of from charts and their writing for others • use knowledge of letter chalkboard to read sounds to spell words • write some common • identify spelling errors • sound out and spell words accurately in written work words using knowledge without copying of letter-sound • spell most vernacular • use the letter-sound relationships words correctly knowledge of their • change letter sounds to • try to spell new words alphabet to try to spell make new words even though unsure of common words the correct spelling • write new vernacular • vocalise words when words using their • write clearly using trying to write them knowledge of the letter letters of uniform size, • say and write beginning sounds shape, slope and and ending sounds of spacing • spell common words words correctly • re-read their own • use approximation and stories to see if they • use script letters some conventional make sense spelling • form all small and capital letters in the • form basic letter strokes vernacular alphabet in and small and capital script print correctly letters from their vernacular alphabet • reread their own sentences to see if they • use standard grip to make sense hold a pencil 26 Language Strand: Writing Substrand Elementary Prep Elementary 1 Elementary 2 Context and P.3.3 Recognise that 1.3.3 Identify some of the 2.3.3 Identify ways in text pictures and writing are purposes of writing which print and pictures used for different differ according to their purposes purpose and audience Indicators Students will be Students will be Students will be achieving this outcome achieving this outcome achieving this outcome when they, for example when they, for example when they, for example • model the use of a • discuss purposes of • select a type of writing variety of texts such as familiar written texts for a particular writing poems, rhymes, chants, such as stories to read purpose and explain why narrative, lists, letters, for pleasure, letters to they have chosen it invitations, recipes, send messages to • compare the features of advertisements, someone, lists to help their own writing with procedures, reports, remember things samples of similar texts explanations, • make a display of • keep a record and exposition, discussions, samples of writing to samples of the text types responses, reviews show some advantages they have written • talk about the purposes of writing and recording • examine models of text of familiar written texts information types such as letters, such as name tags to • talk about times when notes, simple reports, show things belong to people in their families stories, poems and plays someone, labels on write and discuss their food packets, signs to • discuss examples of purposes and some of advertise things how writing and their features • talk about how pictures pictures give are used differently in information to people different texts through things such as • talk about why people books, posters, signs write and newspapers 27 Elementary syllabus Assessment and reporting Assessment and reporting practices described here are detailed further in the National Assessment and Reporting Policy and in other support materials produced by the Department of Education. Assessment Assessment is the ongoing process of identifying, gathering and interpreting information about students’ achievement of the learning outcomes described in the subject syllabuses. Assessment in Elementary schooling is the continuous process of finding out what the students have learnt and still need to learn. Elementary teachers should take into account Papua New Guinean cultural values and use local cultural practices where appropriate to assess and report students’ achievement. Assessment at Elementary level should use a range of methods with little emphasis on written tests. It should be based on the learning outcomes and arise from the everyday learning experiences of students. It is a process of: • observing students at work • conferencing or talking and questioning the students about their work and how they are thinking and feeling – their attitude towards work • looking at work samples for information on what students can do. Through these processes teachers gather evidence of students’ learning. Continuous assessment for young students is essential. Their knowledge and skills are continually changing as they learn more. It is important for teachers to be aware of what the students know, can do and understand. When this information is known about the students in the class, programming can be made more relevant and meaningful to match the students’ needs.. Recording and reporting Teachers must keep accurate records of students’ achievement of the learning outcomes and report these achievements in fair and accurate ways to parents and guardians, teachers, students and others. Recording methods may include: • journal, diary or anecdotal notes • portfolios • progressive records • checklists • work samples with comments written by the teacher. 28 Language Student reports should be based on assessement information collected from ongoing assessment. Schools will decide how reports will be presented to best suit the needs of their communities. When students first start school in Elementary Prep, parents and guardians will be very eager to hear about their child’s progress. Teachers should consider holding a parent-teacher interview either at the end of the child’s first term at school or early second term. In Elementary 1, teachers may decide to hold formal talks or interview with parents and guardians half way through the year and at the end of the year. In Elementary 2, teachers may decide to hold formal talks with parents and guardians in the middle of second term and provide them with a written report at the end of the year. Evaluation Teachers will use assessment information to evaluate the effectiveness of their teaching, learning and assessment programs and to make improvements to their teaching practice in order to improve student learning. Schools may use whole school assessment data to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching and learning in a particular subject or at particular grade levels and make decisions on how to improve student learning. 29 Elementary syllabus References Anstey, Michele 2002, Literate Futures:Reading, State of Queensland, Department of Education, Brisbane, Queensland. Derewianka, B. 1990, Exploring How Texts Work, Primary English Teaching Association, Rozelle, New South Wales. Hough, L. 2002, Language, Context and Meaning, Heinemann, SydneyNew South Wales Department of Education 1998 English Syllabus K-6, NSW Department of Education, Sydney. National Department of Education (NDOE) National Department of Education 2003, Assessment and Reporting Policy for Papua New Guinea, NDOE, Waigani. National Department of Education 2003, National Curriculum Statement, NDOE, Waigani. National Department of Education 1998, Elementary Scope and Sequence, Matane, P. NDOE, Waigani. National Department of Education 1986, A Philosophy of Education for Papua New Guinea, Ministerial Committee Report, (P. Matane, chair) NDOE, Waigani. 30 Elementary syllabus Language Language Elementary Syllabus Papua New Guinea Department of Education 31 Elementary syllabus Issued free to schools by the Department of Education Published in 2003 by the Department of Education, Papua New Guinea Reprinted with amendments 2005 © Copyright 2003, Department of Education, Papua New Guinea All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. ISBN 9980 930 80 2 Acknowledgements The Elementary Language Syllabus was prepared by the Curriculum Development Division of the Department of Education and was coordinated by Jaking Marimyas, Principal Curriculum Officer. The Elementary Language Advisory Committee as well as community members, elementary teachers, elementary trainers, provincial elementary coordinators, elementary inspectors, educators and representatives from non-government organisations have developed this syllabus through meetings, workshops and trials. This document was developed with the support of the Australian Government through the Curriculum Reform Implementation Project. 32 ii Language Language Secretary’s message ..................................................................... iv Introduction .................................................................................... 1 Rationale ........................................................................................ 3 Curriculum principles ...................................................................... 4 Aims ............................................................................................. 10 Content overview .......................................................................... 11 Learning outcomes ...................................................................... 14 Learning outcomes and indicators ............................................... 16 Assessment and reporting ............................................................ 28 References .................................................................................... 30 33 iii Elementary syllabus Secretary’s message The current reforms in education have been in progress since 1992. The Education Reform has emphasised community-based schooling, the use of vernacular language in schools, the introduction of Elementary schools and the expansion of Primary schooling to Grade 8 and increased access to Grades 9 and 10. The syllabus is to be used by Elementary teachers (Elementary Prep, Elementary 1 and Elementary 2) to teach students throughout Papua New Guinea. This syllabus develops, extends, links and builds upon concepts, skills and attitudes which flow into Lower Primary (Grades 3, 4 and 5). This syllabus provides a sound foundation for further learning in the reformed school system. Students’ language abilities already gained in their home environments must be respected, built on and extended. The students’ first language is to be used as a medium of instruction for the first three years of education. This will allow students in Elementary to develop their thinking and decision-making skills, as well as skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing in the language that they speak fluently. We learn our language by using our language. Language and culture help us to know who we are. Elementary education will help the students know who they are by using their culture and first language. Papua New Guinea is the only country in the world to recognise over 800 languages as official languages of the education system. Our students are entitled to a range of opportunities that will enable them to acquire the values and attitudes of a progressing nation. We need young people with the capacity to solve problems through reading and discussing widely. They should be able to contribute their ideas thoughtfully to make meaningful decisions. Our villages and industries of the future will require young people with imagination and creativity. Literacy enables our students to gain information, think critically, develop ideas and form opinions for our country, our province, our wantoks and for ourselves. This Language syllabus encourages links with other curriculum areas to provide a language learning context. It respects our cultural diversity and traditions. I commend and approve this syllabus as the official curriculum for Language to be used in Elementary schools throughout Papua New Guinea. Peter M. Baki Secretary for Education 34 iv
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