What Is Grade R?
Grade R (also called the Reception Year) is for children entering age 6 in the current year and is currently compulsory in South Africa for a child to enter into Grade 1 in a Primary School the following year.
Our Grade R curriculum is based on the Revised National Curriculum Statement R-9 (2002). This curriculum forms the basis of the Foundation Phase Curriculum practiced in the primary school. In 2010, the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) documents were first implemented for Grade R. It has been incorporated into our teaching methodology, however we go beyond this implementation to ensure our learners are well prepared for entry into formal schooling.
Why is Grade R so important?
Grade R was compulsorily introduced in South Africa to ensure adequate preparation of children for entering primary school in Grade 1. In Grade R, children officially become mature learners in our School! Our Grade R learners move from mostly unstructured learning to a more structured learning, where they learn to sit quietly, and have structured lessons with a formal curriculum for the first time.
However we have found that Learners that have started with us in the earlier years adapt easily to this new level. Yet learners joining us for the first time, quickly adapt to our school atmosphere and by the end of the first term become confident leaders.
What do Our Grade R teachers do?
Our Grade R teachers teach Grade R within a prescribed curriculum, according to the relevant Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) documents, however they go beyond this curriculum with focused learning objectives . Grade R falls under the Foundational Phase, in which learning content focuses on three subjects, namely Language, Mathematics and Life Skills.
Grade R teachers don’t formally teach language, mathematics and life skills, but expose Grade R learners to these fields, through integrated play-based activities. The main tasks of Grade R teachers include the following:
Expose learners to language incidentally through planned interactive activities and through play-based learning.
Expose learners to the following mathematics content areas through play-based activities:
- numbers, operations and relationships;
- patterns, functions and algebra;
- space and shape (geometry);
- measurement; and
- data handling.
Develop learners’ life skills in the following areas:
- beginning knowledge and personal and social well-being;
- creative arts; and
- physical education
What do we offer our Grade R Learners?
- Qualified Grade R Teacher
- Dedicated Art Room, Fantasy Room, Computer Room, Astro Turf Playground, Bike Track
- Basic Computer skills
- Cami Maths, Cami Perceptual Skills Builder
- In-house designed Workbooks focusing on Literacy, Numeracy, Shapes, Color and Theme Work
- Grade R Concert, Grade R Graduation Ceremony, Grandparents Day
- A fun and stimulating day in a caring and nurturing environment
MISS l PETZER