CURRICULUM IN ACTION

CURRICULUM

IN ACTION

In Mulgrave’s personalised, inquiry-based environment, our faculty embrace the craft of teaching and learning, getting to know their students and what sparks their interests. As Spanish teacher Christopher Baumunk puts it, “sometimes the best learning happens when students don’t even know it’s what they are doing; they are simply absorbing through an engaging activity.” Here are a few examples of curriculum in action at Mulgrave:

EARLY YEARS: GETTING CREATIVE WITH LOOSE PARTS PLAY

Loose parts play uses a wide selection of everyday objects and materials to create, build, invent, experiment, and play to develop imagination, creativity, physical health, fine and gross motor skills, cooperation, communication, teamwork, and concentration. “Examples are replacing a dollhouse with the materials to create structures, or using loose lego pieces instead of a building kit,” explains Sydney Hill, Early Years Vice Principal. “It’s also a great way to recycle materials and show students that learning and play don’t require shiny new things.”

JUNIOR SCHOOL: USING THE MAKERSPACE TO ENHANCE CLASSROOM LEARNING

Grade 1 curriculum includes the Unit of Inquiry ‘How we organise ourselves’ which examines the importance of signs and symbols. For the first time, thanks to our new PYP Creative Makerspace, the entire grade collaborated on a learning experience. “Students used the construct of a town, brainstorming key services and buildings, then creating them out of cardboard,” shares Suzanne Finlayson, Grade 1 teacher. “They were challenged to think about the layout of roadways and placement of universal symbols as well as signs, created in various languages thanks to the involvement of French and Mandarin teachers. To create and learn at this scale has been a highlight of the year.”

MIDDLE SCHOOL: ARTSAPALOOZA, AN INTER-DISCIPLINARY PHE AND PERFORMING ARTS EXTRAVAGANZA SENIOR SCHOOL: MANIE MUSICALE / MANÍA MUSICAL, A SPANISH & FRENCH SONG SHOWDOWN

Students from Grade 6-9 embark on an annual exploration of performing arts from around the world under the guidance of external experts. “In this interdisciplinary Physical Health Education and Performing Arts unit, Middle Schoolers delve into cultural expression and learning new skills,” says Mike Olynyk, Middle School Vice Principal. “Their appreciation for and understanding of art forms such as Samba drumming and Bhangra dance culminates in a performance for families, which further develops risktaking, communication, and teamwork skills.” What better way to connect with teens than through popular music? Our Spanish and French classes are enjoying a riff on basketball’s March Madness, pitting songs against one another in a bracket-style competition. Teachers Christopher Baumunk and Rhonda Beaupre explain that they intentionally select artists and music that infuse lessons with cultural connections, highlight different genres, and even broach subjects of inclusion and tolerance in different parts of the world. “It has also been a wonderfully fun way to study vocabulary and grammatical structures,” adds Rhonda.