How well do you know your NZC?

1. How well do you know your NZC? Consider each statement (no peeking in the NZC please!) (Touch) Discuss the statement – is it true or false? (Pause...) (Engage!) Now, find the section in the NZC that supports your answer Neil Mahoney Team Solutions 2011 From an original idea developed by Robyn Boswell, Team Solutions 2010

2. True or False The curriculum says that you need to be using inquiry learning

3. False The curriculum says that you need to be using inquiry learning No it doesn’t. In fact, the NZC makes no reference at all to inquiry learning. Inquiry learning is an approach some schools use to teach the curriculum

4. True or False Teaching as inquiry is the same as inquiry learning

5. False Teaching as inquiry is the same as inquiry learning No it’s not! Teaching as inquiry is about teachers constantly reflecting/inquiring into the effectiveness of their teaching. NZC p. 35

6. True or False The key competencies provide the key to learning in every learning area

7. True The key competencies provide the key to learning in every learning area Yes, they certainly do! NZC p. 12

8. True or False The future focused themes are one of the principles

9. True The future focused themes are one of the principles The future focused themes form part of the principles on p.9. How well are you doing with this principle?

10. True or False There are 8 principles which should underpin all school decision making

11. True There are 8 principles which should underpin all school decision making Yes, there are. NZC p 9. Also p. 44 – the school curriculum must be underpinned and consistent with the principles

12. True or False The key competencies do not need to be assessed

13. True! The key competencies do not need to be assessed No they don’t! Schools are required to develop and implement a curriculum that supports students to develop the key competencies – p 44. But, how will you know they’ve developed them if you don’t assess them…

14. True or False All of the achievement objectives must be covered

15. False All of the achievement objectives must be covered P 44 – schools SELECT AOs from each learning area to fit the learning needs of their students. Also p. 39

16. True or False A two year overview does not meet the requirements of the NZC

17. True (probably) A two year overview does not meet the requirements of the NZC An inflexible two year overview would not. The curriculum “should allow teachers the scope to make interpretations in response to students’ needs”. P. 37

18. True or False Literacy is a learning area

19. False Literacy is a learning area No it’s not. Students need to develop literacy over a number of learning areas, e.g. English, Maths, Science, e-learning, etc.

20. True or False All strands must be covered

21. True All strands must be covered Yes. “None of the strands is optional, but in some learning areas, particular strands may be emphasized at different times or in different years. P. 38

22. True or False The school vision should be developed by the community and the school

23. True The school vision should be developed by the community and the school Yes, it should be. The NZC vision is for all NZ schools, Years 1 to 10, across all deciles. Your school’s vision should align with the NZC but needs to reflect your particular community

24. True or False All children should know what the school vision and values are

25. True All children should know what the school vision and values are Ideally, children will be able to articulate the vision and values in their own words They could be displayed in the foyer, in classrooms, and around the school

26. True or False It is compulsory for all students to take a second language in Years 7 - 10

27. False (Sort of) It is compulsory for all students to take a second language in Years 7 - 10 All schools with students in years 7 to 10 should be working towards offering students opportunities for learning a second or subsequent language. P. 44

28. True or False Numeracy is a learning area

29. False Numeracy is a learning area The learning area is Mathematics. The definition of numeracy used in the Numeracy Development Project is: "To be numerate is to have the ability and inclination to use mathematics effectively - at home, at work and in the community".

30. True or False The effective pedagogies are the most important part of the curriculum to ignite changes in teacher practice

31. True The effective pedagogies are the most important part of the curriculum to ignite changes in teacher practice The effective pedagogies summarise extensive, well-documented evidence about the kinds of teaching approaches that consistently have a positive impact on student learning. P. 34

32. True or False TRUMP is an acronym for the key competencies

33. True TRUMP is an acronym for the key competencies T: R: U: M: P:

34. True or False The NZC vision is for young people who will be confident, connected, future focused, lifelong learners

35. False (a little) The NZC vision is for young people who will be confident, connected, future focused, lifelong learners Check it out on page 8

36. True or False The learning to learn principle aligns with formative assessment

37. True The learning to learn principle aligns with formative assessment Learning to learn involves students reflecting on their own learning processes and learning how to learn : Assessment for Learning : Assessment to Learn

38. True or False The values should be evident in the school’s philosophy, structures, curriculum, classrooms, staffroom, and relationships

39. False (?) The values should be evident in the school’s philosophy, structures, curriculum, classrooms, staffroom, and relationships This is not quite what is recommended on page 9

40. True or False Teaching as inquiry is one of the effective pedagogies

41. True Teaching as inquiry is one of the effective pedagogies Arguably the most effective pedagogy

42. True or False All learning should make use of the natural connections that exist between learning areas and that link learning areas to the values and key competencies

43. True All learning should make use of the natural connections that exist between learning areas and that link learning areas to the values and key competencies P.16

44. True or False Social Studies is now Social Sciences

45. False (sort of) Social Studies is now Social Sciences Check out the learning area at the back

46. True or False Effective assessment should benefit and involve students

47. True Effective assessment should benefit and involve students P. 40

48. True or False Students should be told whether they are above, at, below or well below the national standards

49. You decide! Students should be told whether they are above, at, below or well below the national standards The NZC doesn’t mention national standards

50. True or False The NZC comprises 4 vision statements, 8 principles, 7 values, 5 key competencies and 7+ learning areas