Knowledge Fair 2003

1. Knowledge Fair 2003 Cross Level Subject Setting Strategy Appropriate Curriculum and Suitable Pace for All Pupils Curriculum Development Institute 12 November 2003

2. Individual Differences Views of individual differences • Natural, e.g. Multiple Intelligence Catering of individual differences • Let pupils learn better and more effectively • Find out reasons why pupils could/not learn • Allow pupils to develop their potentials

3. Cross Level Subject Setting Strategy Objective of CLSS • Pinpoint a common situation in classroom situation • Main reason that they could not follow or understand the curriculum

4. Cross Level Subject Setting Strategy Rationale of CLSS • Individual differences in pupils’ learning ability • Provide appropriate curriculum to pupils according to their ability e.g. P.3 level English set = P.2 + P.3 + P.4 pupils • Help pupils with different abilities to learn based on own level and to progress steadily

5. Cross Level Subject Setting Strategy Purpose of CLSS • Cater for individual differences – i.e. all pupils, disregard of initial starting point, be provided with opportunities to have optimal progress • Develop pupils’ interest, motivation and self-learning ability • Remedial and enhancement measure

6. Use of CLSS strategy to cater for individual differences in English Language learning 1. Appropriate English curriculum to all pupils • Suitable learning and teaching materials, i.e. materials that are a little bit higher than pupils current English level

7. Use of CLSS strategy to cater for individual differences in English Language learning 2. Placement of pupils and grouping • Identify pupils’ current ability through English placement tests • Group pupils into different levels sets according to placement test results, school/ external assessment, teachers’ judgement

8. Use of CLSS strategy to cater for individual differences in English Language learning 3. Learning/ Teaching/ Assessment • Identify learning and teaching materials suitable for different sets of pupils • Develop school/ group-based curriculum More lively activities and effective learning • Greater teacher collaboration

9. Use of CLSS strategy to cater for individual differences in English Language learning • Assessment for Learning • To keep track of pupils’ progress, to provide feedback on learning and teaching, and to set targets for the next step • Continual selection of learning and teaching materials that best suit students, e.g. use of book bank

10. Effectiveness in learning English • Cambridge Young Learners’ English Test • Interview data with pupils and teachers • Questionnaire survey with pupils, teachers and parents

11. Strengths and limitations of CLSS Strengths: • Minimize individual differences in classroom learning • Appropriate curriculum to suit ability and needs of pupils • Both lower and higher ability pupils are given chance to progress at own pace

12. Strengths of CLSS • Provide a mechanism for faster promotion and recognition • Teachers with more autonomy and flexibility in choosing learning and teaching materials and use of activities • Interpersonal skills as there are more chances for social interaction among pupils

13. Limitations of CLSS Limitations • Teaching/ Learning/ Assessment • Acceleration elements to make sure pupils reach a particular level within a period of time • Assessment may not be compatible with H.K. public examination system, e.g HKAT, mark submission in P.5 and P.6

14. Limitations of CLSS • Pastoral care of pupils • Pupils’ psychological being due to labelling effect • Pupils in lowest level sets are usually with behavioral or motivation problems • Administrative measures • Classroom change; teacher appraisal

15. Cross Level Subject Setting –Appropriate curriculum and suitable pace for all pupils Thank You !