Against the background of Covid-19 and the associated educational challenges, Saheti School’s Foundation Phase has implemented a unique differentiated teaching approach called Stretch-Core-Reinforce.
This is aimed at assisting and reaching individual learning needs during the critical years of Grades One to Three when learners need to develop skills for future learning.
Saheti’s approach allows for those who struggle with a particular concept to be further assisted and retaught, those who have grasped concepts to be extended further and those who are ready to apply their knowledge in a more challenging context to be placed in the stretch stream.
By proactively assessing and addressing individual needs, the benefits to children following the disrupted learning arising from the pandemic are immeasurable.
ALSO READ: Modderfontein welcomes the return of Cub Pack
This is also responsive teaching; learners’ skill sets and knowledge are continuously being tracked so they can be moved between the different levels as required.
The programme follows a three-week cycle, with both staff and learners moving between the different levels.
There is never the risk of a child being labelled, due to the dynamic nature of the programme.
Learners feel confident and understand that there will be concepts or skills which they will master at a more competent level, while others might need to be reinforced and practised.
They move between the various levels according to their understanding per concept and may thus not be assigned to the same level in every rotation.
The programme also allows for rigorous pedagogical discussion between staff about assessment.
Stretch-Core-Reinforce has proved an effective intervention, following almost two years of disrupted onsite teaching. It has allowed teachers to identify progress and creatively address areas that may have been affected by online learning.
Also follow us on: