Thematic (Integral), Proficiency (Conceptual), Experiential (Contextual).
The Thematic Stage is the engagement focus – FUN!
It starts with an activity/exercise or interesting hook (video snippet) for at most twenty minutes. This stage integrates dance, music, drama, games/puzzles, group work around themes for a week. The themes are based around big questions asked by the students (which is gathered at the beginning of the term and planned purposefully by the teacher). It is during this stage, Teachings (mathematics, philosophy, science, history) are combined to give a broad understanding.
Themes are not topics and must be framed around a question, e.g. Where does water come from – originally?
The Proficiency Stage is the grit frame.
It is instructional as it deals with content knowledge (key concepts) in English, Mathematics, Science and Technology.
The learning of concepts is carefully sequenced via a clear short/mid/long term scope. The proficiency frame allows for agility groups in the upper primary and middle school years – where age is not the determinate of class placement. This frame strives to rectify concepts being individually misunderstood as a result of quality personalised assessment and tracking on the part of the teacher.
The Experiential or Practical Stage is the hands-on explorative learning.
Specialists would not just be ‘teachers’ but community members who are skilled in an area of interest. There should be outdoor education lessons, science in the field, history games and role-plays, drama, sport. Every afternoon should entertain putting into context the concepts taught during the proficiency lessons. As we know, rich experiences create deep memories.