Duns Primary School- The Rationale for our Curriculum

1. Duns Primary School- The Rationale for our Curriculum Vision All Children achieve their very best Values Respect, Responsibility, Achievement, Inclusion • Our Key Drivers • Learning for Sustainability • Rights and values-based education • Local identity and heritage v global citizenship • Improving attainment and achievement of all • Health and well-being • Critical thinking and political literacy • Biodiversity and tackling climate change • Social justice and Fair Trade • Outdoor learning and contact with nature • Peace and conflict • Developing and learning skills for life and work • Ideal Learning in Duns PS happens when: • Children lead their own learning • Children are actively involved • Opportunities are given to work independently and collaboratively • Children are engaged and purposeful • Learning is experiential and active • We use the natural environment and outdoors whenever possible • Learning provides challenge and is differentiated • We nurture the whole child • Principles for Curriculum Design: • • challenge and enjoyment • • breadth • • progression • • depth • • personalisation and choice • • coherence • • relevance We promote a ‘growth mindset’ through our Learning Powers Direct your attention and concentrate Use your imagination Notice and be curious Success through error Persevere-don’t give up Strive to improve

3. The 4 Capacities

4. Successful Learners I Show: • enthusiasm and want to learn • I am keen to do my very best • willingness to think new ways • a desire to try out new ideas I can: • use literacy, communication and numeracy skills • use technology in learning e.g. computers/laptops, Smartboards, TV, digital cameras, ipods, etc. • use my imagination and be creative • think and learn by myself and as part of a group • form an opinion and justify it • use all my learning to help me in new situations

5. Effective Contributors I Show: • I have a ‘can do’ approach to life • the ability not to give up • confidence in my own abilities. I Can: • share my ideas in different ways and in different situations • work with a partner and as part of a team • think and act independently and lead others responsibly • use what I already know to solve problems in new situations • come up with ideas and see them through • solve problems.

6. Responsible Citizens • I Show: • respect for others • that I can take part in aspects of life in the school and wider community. • I Can: • learn more about Scotland and about its place in the world • show some understanding of how other people lead their lives and what they believe • use what I have learned to make good choices and decisions • form opinions about issues which affect our world • decide what is just and fair when considering different topics.

7. Confident Individuals • I Show: • Self-respect • an understanding of wellbeing by • keeping fit and healthy • being safe and secure • feeling happy and content • a clear understanding of what is important to me • a desire to achieve my goals. • I Can: • get on well with others and look after myself • make healthy choices • understand my behaviour can affect other people • think through and explain my beliefs and how I see the world • live as independently as I can • make safe and responsible choices • do well in a range of activities.

8. Responsible Citizen

9. Being Responsible Take the Test • Do I take good care of my own things? • Do I own up when I know I did something wrong? • Do I finish a job once I’ve started it? • Am I extra careful with things that don’t belong to me? • Do I do my homework? • Do I get to school on time?

10. If I make a promise, do I keep it?

11. How Did You Score? • Less than 3 ~ You need to work on being more responsible. • 3 or 4 out of 7 ~ You’re doing OK in a few areas, but there’s room for improvement. • 5 or 6 out of 7 ~ You’re pretty responsible. • 7 out of 7 ~ Give yourself a pat on the back!

12. Responsibility At HomeMight Look Like… • Doing chores

13. Taking care of a younger sibling

14. Taking care of a pet

15. Responsibility at School Looks Like… • Getting to school and all of your classes on time

16. Having the right equipment for school

17. Completing your assignments and homework

18. Setting goals for success • Specific • Measurable • Action oriented • Realistic • Timely

19. Follow the School Rules

20. Responsibility in School • Student council • Eco Committee • P7 Buddies • Rights Respecting School Committee?

21. Responsibility in Action • Own up to your actions; admit to making mistakes • Stop blaming others or making excuses! • Be accountable

22. Responsibility Sounds Like… • I am sorry. I broke it. How can I help fix it? NOT…. • It broke. It wasn’t my fault. Stop making excuses! Take responsibility.

23. Responsibility Sounds Like… I haven’t found it yet. I need to look harder. NOT… I can’t find it!! Another excuse!! Take responsibility!

24. Responsibility Sounds Like… • I chose to do it because I couldn’t stand up to my friend. NOT…. You made me do it!! Stop blaming others for your actions. Take responsibility!

25. When you take responsibility for your actions you are the one saying, “I am in charge of my life.”