FORM ONE ORIENTATION COURSE: BASELINE

Guidelines For Pre – Form One Baseline Orientation Programme / Course

General Baseline Orientation Programme/Course Objectives

“The six-week ‘Baseline’ Orientation Course for students entering Form One is a critical opportunity to build their confidence and capability in their new language of instruction: English across lessons. Strengthening their English Language skills at this crucial stage has an enormous impact on the ability of students to learn effectively throughout their secondary schooling,

Building and enhancing confidence and capability in Mathematics and Sciences

To help students improve their effective, cognitive and psychomotor domain in Languages, Mathematics and other subjects offered at secondary level.

To tackle the problems/weaknesses observed during IQ test and written admission examinations in mathematics, languages, social and natural sciences etc.

To help students familiarize and eventually imbibe in the behavioral culture of the school in terms of discipline, spiritual motive, and other social dynamics.

Provide relevant counseling and guidance to students across “The six-week ‘Baseline’ Orientation Course

Maintaining Students’ well being and learning as they transition from primary to secondary schools, since this transition can be complicated by the social, emotional and physiological changes that can negatively impact on their learning. To enhance this, students will be provided with relevant Counseling and Guidance .

To enable teachers to understand how these changes impact their students for better and positive adjustments to their new

Orientation on: “Thomas More Machrina High School Teaching/Learning Model.”

The Learner centered didactically model hinges on three (3) main attributes interacting to ensure accessible and interesting Teaching and Learning. These attributes will include:

Teaching {Teachers; Use of Text; Assignments; Exercise/Assignments; Demonstrations; Sketches; Guidelines/guiding questions etc.}

Learning:{ Students/Learners; Use of Text/Written sources; Practice/Exercises; Tests and Exams; Reading; Writing; Listening and Oral/Speaking}

Content(s):{Textbooks; Notes; Handouts, Offprints; Downloads; Syllabuses, Clubs ,etc.}

Subjects/Lessons to be taught

During our six – week baseline orientation programme, students will be given orientation and introduction to:

English Language Baseline Orientation{Language of instruction at secondary level}

Mathematics Orientation Programme{Std. 6 & 7 pupil’s book}

Introduction to Natural Sciences: To include:

Concept of Science and its importance

Meaning of common Science terminologies that will also include- Science language

Branches of Science:

Physics
Chemistry
Biology

Importance of each branch of Science

Laboratory and Safety in the Laboratory

Laboratory apparatus

Introduction to Social Sciences: To include:

Concept of Social Science and its importance

Meaning of common Social Science terminologies

Social Science language

Branches of Social Science:

History
Geography
Civics

Importance of each branch of Social Science

Orientation on Social Science Teaching/Learning materials

Useful Text/Reference books

Teaching Staff

Selection of teaching staff is done basing on credentials, commitment, competence and demonstrated mastery of subject matter, skills and experiences. Therefore, there will be:

English Language

Teachers for both Grammar and selected class readers: Aim is to develop English proficiency/Linguistic ability across four (04) language skills of :

Speaking
Writing
Listening
Reading.

Some suggested Teaching-Learning Strategies

Comprehension: Oral questions, Narration, Description and Summary .

Conceptual questions (vocabulary use)

Self- expression

Appropriate Extracts/texts, pictures, story books, Dialogue texts, British Cards, Recorded materials, Debates, newspapers etc.

Mathematics Orientation Programme

The aim is to consolidate and broaden the scope of baseline ideas, knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired and developed at the primary educational level and promote linguistic ability and Communication in Mathematics

To be coordinated by a well experienced Mathematics teacher with ability and passion to revive lost affection in Mathematics using a wide range of approaches and resources such as: Number line; Factor tree; Number charts/cards; Coloured chalk;

Teacher to use Learner-centred strategy to suit Pre-form one learning environment.

Introduction to Science:

To be Coordinated by a Senior Science Teacher{s} and other selected Science teachers

Aim is to inculcate a sense and ability for self study,self-confidence, and broaden/link scope of baseline ideas and skills acquired at primary level with secondary level.

And promote linguistic ability in Science

Introduction to Social Science:

To be Coordinated by a Senior Social Science Teacher{s} and a few other selected teachers

Aim is to inculcate a sense and ability for self study,self-confidence, and broaden/link scope of baseline ideas and skills acquired at primary level with secondary level

And promote linguistic ability in Social Sciences.

Organization and Assessments/Measurements

Incorporate appropriate teaching and learning strategies as:

Classroom teaching, interaction, formative and summative practices

Home works

Daily Practice {English Oral}

Use of Laboratories{Science}/Geography Room and other special reserves.

Weekly Tests/Exams

Report /Feedback to parents/guardians on Academic Progress and Character Assessment.

Extracurricular activities

Group students’ – mentors and guiders on Study Skills, Orientation on Prayers, Dinning and Dormitory Orientation, Personal hygiene; School environment orientation; Singing Orientation etc