Primary School
Shanan Primary School
In Grade R, we continue building on the skills that were being developed in preschool. We introduce the 1-year ACE Grade R Reading Readiness program featuring a complete scope and sequence of concepts and skills needed to prepare children to be ready to read.
There are twelve colour PACEs in the core subjects – Word Building, Math, English, Social Studies and Science. During this program we do not teach the children to read and write, but merely introduce and familiarize children with the phonetic sounds of the alphabet, using ‘Animal Friends’ to teach the sounds.
“We believe in having small classes, as we give each child individual attention”
Grade 1 is our first year of formal schooling. We believe in having small classes, as we give each child individual attention. Throughout our learning centres, we use the ‘discipleship method’ that Jesus modelled in scripture – with a ratio of 1 educator to a maximum of 12 learners. When there are more than 12 children, we introduce a ‘teacher’s assistant’ called a Monitor. Our teachers at Shanan are known as Supervisors.
Throughout the program, we continue to learn Bible and character principles. Learning is done through play and movement so as to familiarize the children with their position in space. This in turn gets them ready to form their letters correctly when they enter Gr 1. Puzzle building, playing with play-dough and cutting is encouraged to exercise the little hand muscles, and eye-hand coordination. A ‘Coordination Test’ is done 3 times during the year, to ensure the proper coordination development. A ‘Reading Readiness Test’ is done towards the end of the year, ensuring the child’s readiness to enter Gr 1. The children have to achieve 80% or above and be able to complete a few other tasks in order to test ‘ready’ for Gr 1.
“Learning is done through play and movement as to familiarize the children with their position in space”
At Shanan we use the ‘Accelerated Christian Education’ (ACE) system. There is a more detailed description of this system on the High School page. We introduce learners to the ACE system through the ‘ABCs with Ace & Christi’. This is our ‘Learning to Read Programme’. Our children learn to read phonetically and within the first two to three weeks of the year they successfully start reading words. The ‘Learning to Read Programme’ lasts between 15 – 18 weeks, teaching not only the 35 phonetic sounds, but also the blends like ‘th’, ‘wh’, many sight words etc.
This programme does not only teach the children to recognize letters, it teaches the children to read with comprehension. They do not only read ‘readers’ but can read any format of writing. The children are taught the name and sound of the letters, using ‘Animal Friends’. Through fun stories, songs and movement coupled with games and activities, the children do not even realise how much they are learning!
The ACE programme includes the introduction of Maths, the forming of numbers, and the establishment of the concept of ‘Mental Math’. These elements provide a solid foundation on which the more advanced mathematical concepts can be built.
Other than English and Maths, the Foundation Phase learners also work consistently in the following subjects (PACEs) – Social Studies, Science, Word Building, Animal Science and Bible Reading.
“They are taught to set daily goals and enjoy a great sense of achievement when their goals are reached”
Grades 1 - 3
From Grade 1 to Grade 3 children begin to develop greater independence in their learning. They are taught to set daily goals and enjoy a great sense of achievement when their goals are reached. Our children also learn to take greater responsibility by scoring their daily work (under strict supervision). There are many incentives motivating the children to work in excellence.
As with Grade 1, learners continue work in the following PACEs: English, Maths, Social Studies, Science, Word Building and Bible Reading. However, from Grade 2 onwards, the learners begin with Afrikaans and in Grade 3, Creative Writing (Literature) PACEs are added. We uphold a high academic standard with a pass mark of 90% for tests.
During the school week the learners enjoy attending Art, Afrikaans and Computer classes. Physical education classes are broken up into different objectives namely: Coordination exercises, fitness, and training for sports. Sandpit play, as well as water-play is also encouraged outside.
“Good consistent working habits are formed here that can only but prepare them well for High School”
Running through our curriculum is a continuous thread of Scripture and Biblical principles which encourage character building from an early age. Learning Scripture daily is seen as a privilege and a joy and the development of Godly character is one of our most important objectives. For that reason, learners receive character awards in additional to the acknowledgement of their academic achievements.
We encourage our children to serve their community. Through a programme called ‘His Servants’, the learners develop a care and concern for the well-being of others.
Grades 4 - 7
Now that the fundamentals have been mastered in the Foundation Phase, the learners from Grade 4 upwards work with even a greater measure of independence. They continue to set their daily goals in each of the 7 required subjects and work through the PACEs at the rate at which they are able to master the content.
“Good consistent working habits are formed here that can only but prepare them well for High School”
The pass mark for each PACE is 80% – which learners are comfortably able to attain if they have worked diligently and correctly through each module. Their work is carefully monitored but progress varies from learner to learner. When a learner experiences some challenges in their work, the Supervisor readily assists them personally to conquer these challenges. Each learner is required to prepare for their goals the day before so that assistance can be given as soon as possible the following day if needed.
This phase is truly an important bridge between Foundation Phase and High School. Good consistent working habits are formed here that can only but prepare them well for High School.