preparing our children for the future @ alps · 2019. 1. 14. · preparing our children for the...

PREPARING OUR CHILDREN FOR THE

FUTURE @ ALPS

2 January, 2019

The Curriculum at ALPS

Aims of Primary Education

• To lay a strong foundation for future

learning

• To nurture the whole child

21st Century Competencies: Balancing Knowledge with Skills and Values

Values (R3ICH)

• Foundation of character

• Provide compass for behaviour

SE Competencies – Skills, knowledge

and dispositions that help students to:

• Recognise and manage emotions

• Handle challenging situations

• Make responsible decisions

Emerging 21st Century Competencies &

Skills related to Citizenship that will help

students to

• Function effectively as active citizens

an increasingly globalised and

complex world

• Stay rooted to Singapore

Overview : 21CC Framework

Desired Outcomes of Education

21st Century Competencies: SE Competencies

Social & Emotional

Competencies

Social and Emotional Competencies

1. Self-awareness: knowing what we think and feel, and how

thoughts and feelings influence actions and choices.

2. Self-management: learning how to handle challenging

emotions so that they don’t cause problems; being able to

set goals and deal with obstacles.

Social and Emotional Competencies

3. Responsible decision-making: being able to come up with

solutions to problems and consider the consequences of

actions on self and others.

4. Social awareness: understanding the thoughts, feelings

and perspectives of others and developing empathy.

Social and Emotional Competencies

5. Relationship skills: being able to work through conflicts,

having strong connections to other people but resisting

negative peer pressure.

What is important for your child in primary school?

• Formative years

• Early stages of learning

• Discovering abilities and talents

Desired Outcomes of Education (Primary)

• Able to distinguish right from wrong

• Know their strengths and areas for growth

• Be able to cooperate, share and care for others

• Have a lively curiosity about things

• Be able to think for and express themselves confidently

• Take pride in their work

• Have healthy habits and an awareness of the arts

• Know and love Singapore

Subjects Offered for Primary One

Assembly 1

English Language & Social Studies 16

Mathematics 8.5

Mother Tongue Languages (CL, ML & TL) 12

Citizenship & Character Education 2

Physical & Health Education 4

Programme for Active Learning 3

Art 2

Music 2

Form Teacher Guidance Period (Circle Time & Lifeskills) 1.5

Total number of periods per week 52

The Languages (English & Mother Tongue)

• Listen to stories

• Read fluently

• Speak confidently

• Write stories

Mathematics

• Work with numbers

• Explore patterns

• Solve problems

Programme for Active Learning (PAL)

• Sport & Games

• Outdoor education

• Performing Arts

• Visual Arts

ALPS Students G. L. O. W

Key Area Associated Values & Attitudes

MOE R3ICH

Care, Harmony, Integrity, Resilience, Respect,

and Responsibility.

Design Thinking

Collaboration, Creativity, Empathy, Open-

mindedness, Optimism, Respect, and

Resilience.

Cultural Intelligence

Adaptability, Curiosity, Empathy, Graciousness,

Mindfulness, Open-mindedness, and Respect.

Environmental

Education

Care, Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy, Optimism,

Respect, and Responsibility.

Our Purpose @ ALPS

Preparing our students for the 21st Century

Design Thinking (DT) and Cultural Intelligence (CQ):

Attitudes and Values

• Collaboration

• Empathy

• Open-mindedness and Adaptability

• Optimism & Resilience

• Respect

Our HER3OIC Values

Harmony Optimism

Empathy Integrity

Resilience Creativity

Respect

Responsibility

Our Purpose @ ALPS

Preparing our students for the 21st Century

Environmental Education

Being a good

steward of our

physical

environment to

ensure the

earth’s

sustainability for

future

generations.

Responsible citizens with

a global orientation

Cognitive: Knowledge

of the Environment

Experiential: Interaction

with the Environment

Action:

Caring for the Environment

Delivered through:

• Science

• Values in Action (VIA)

• the Aesthetics

• The Languages

Environmental Education

Environmental Education (Outcomes)

• nurtures their sense of wonder,

imagination, and creativity, all of which

are integral to a design mindset;

• expands their intellectual development

through the knowledge and skills

acquired;

Environmental Education (Outcomes)

• helps students understand the

interrelationship of all life;

• helps students develop into adults

who understand and care about

environmental stewardship.

Overview of ALPS Total Curriculum D

EV

EL

OP

ING

TH

E W

HO

LE

CH

ILD

:

Th

e A

LP

S T

OTA

L C

UR

RIC

UL

UM

English Language

Mother Tongue Languages

Mathematics

Science

Physical & Health Education

Art & Craft

Music

Lifeskills@ALPS

NE & Social Studies

Mother Tongue CCE

Environmental Education

Values-in-Action

Little Designers@ALPS

LLP@ALPS: Cultural Intelligence

Programme for Active Learning

Co-Curricular Activities (CCA)

ALPS Toymaker

Science Creative Programme

Student Leadership Development Programme

ALPS Talent Development Programme

Early Intervention Programme (EIP)

RRP & SDR Programmes

Enlarge My World

The Brain

and

Mindfulness

Our Human Brain: Some Basic Facts

The reptilian brain, the oldest of the

three, controls the body's vital functions

such as heart rate, breathing, body

temperature and balance.

The limbic brain records

memories of behaviours

that produced agreeable

and disagreeable

experiences, so it is

responsible for our

emotions. It is the seat of

the value judgments we

make which exert a

strong influence on our

behaviour. It is made up

of the hippocampus, the

amygdala, and the

hypothalamus.

The neocortex is responsible

for language development,

abstract thought, imagination,

and consciousness..

The three parts of the brain

• do not operate independently of one another.

• have established numerous interconnections

through which they influence one

another.(Neural pathways)

Our Human Brain: Some Basic Facts

Our Human Brain: Some Basic Facts

Emotions, long-term memory, &

behaviours

Higher or critical

thinking, decision-

making & impulse

control

Our Human Brain: Some Basic Facts

Our Human Brain: Some Basic Facts

Amygdala Sensory

Input

Prefrontal

Cortex

Fight, flight, or freeze

response -> releases cortisol

into the bloodstream.

Conscious

response

alertness, attentiveness,

quick thinking, motivation,

and mental energy

Aggression, agitation,

frustration, and apathy

Chronic stress can shrink the

hippocampus, which holds

memory.

Our Human Brain: Some Basic Facts

Excessive release of cortisol → chronic stress

Children with high levels of anxiety

enlarged amygdala volume

(the "fear center")

Stanford University School of Medicine

Our Human Brain: Some Basic Facts

Our Human Brain: Some Basic Facts

Toxic stress weakens the

architecture of the developing brain

Lifelong problems in learning,

behaviour, and physical & mental

health.

Our brains can be taught (Neuroplasticity)

Eg of neural pathways – footpath

Eg of learning to drive

Our Human Brain: Some Basic Facts

Healthier brains through

practices like Mindfulness

Our Human Brain: Some Basic Facts

What is mindfulness?

The conscious awareness of our thoughts, feelings,

and surroundings at the present moment, and

accepting this awareness with openness and

curiosity.

Slowing down our thoughts

to focus on

the here and now.

What is mindfulness?

Step Back,

Respond,

not React

Why Mindfulness?

Why Mindfulness?

Thus allowing us

to tap into

the resilience

that is already inside us.

Building Mental Muscles: 3 Mindful Minutes

1. Sit in a comfortable position. Close your eyes.

2. Pay attention to your breathing.

3. Take calm, slow breaths. Gently breathe in through your nose, then let go of

each breath.

4. Keep your shoulders relaxed. Feel the air coming into your body and going

out again.

5. If your mind starts to think about other things, let them go; bring your attention

back to your breathing.

6. Feel your belly rising and falling. Keep it soft and relaxed.

7. Open your eyes slowly and take another slow, deep breath with your eyes

open.

Thank You