DH INFORMATION SESSION LIFE SKILLS SCHOOL VISIT FINDINGS

Gauteng East District Foundation Phase School Visit Findings

Life Skills Term 1 2025

Authors: Lamola Mokoena and Adel Janse van Vuuren

GDE Vision and Mission

• Vision: Every learner feels valued and inspired in our innovative education system.

• Mission: Commitment to provide functional and modern schools for quality teaching and learning that protects and promotes the right to quality, equitable, and relevant education for every learner.

Presentation Outline

• GDE Vision and Mission

• Grade 1 Perceptual Programme

• Sportstec Implementation

• Learning through Play: 6 Bricks

• Marking Practices

• Usage of DBE Books

• Reading Across the Curriculum

• Time Allocation for Life Skills

• Weekly Expectations for BKPSW (Grade 1-3)

• Lesson Plans

• Supporting Progressed Learners

• Assessments

Grade 1 Perceptual Programme School Visit Findings

• Mitigation:

  • Activities for Grade 1 Perceptual Programme are not evident in learner workbooks.

  • Life Skills Subject Advisors provided worksheets to be used for the Perceptual Programme.

  • Perceptual activities may integrate with Language and Mathematics where applicable.

Sportstec School Visit Findings

Implementation

• No evidence of Sportstec W2L programme being implemented.

• Mitigation:

  • Activity guides are unavailable at school.

  • All educators invited to Sportstec W2L workshop (12 February 2025).

  • Term 1 Activity Guide was shared prior to the workshop.

Discussion and Expectations

• Expectations of Sportstec W2L programme discussed on 3 February 2025.

Integrating LTP (6 Bricks) Activities

School Visit Findings

• Mitigation:

  • Activities are not outlined in lesson plans or evident in learners' workbooks.

  • Activities should be present with dates and labeled "6 Bricks."

Reminder: Expectations for 2025

• Submit termly presentation of completed 6 Bricks activities per grade; formats may vary (Word, PowerPoint, PDF).

• Include photos, ensuring POPI act compliance.

Marking School Visit Findings

• Mitigation Subpoints:

  • Global marking evident but limited corrections made.

  • Dates and headings in books not controlled/marked.

  • Some books not marked at all.

  • DH to monitor marking; suggest workshop for FP educators.

  • Include positive reinforcement through comments and stickers.

  • Emphasize marking as a means to track learner progress and effectiveness of teaching methods.

Usage of DBE Books School Visit Findings

• Mitigation:

  • DBE books underutilized; not effectively controlled or marked.

  • Regular monitoring by DH needed to ensure proper usage of DBE workbooks.

  • Submission of lesson plans showing integration of DBE workbooks in teaching, along with activity samples to ensure engagement.

Reading Across the Curriculum School Visit Findings

• Mitigation:

  • Grade 3 reading and comprehension activities absent from workbooks.

  • DH to monitor reading activities to enhance phonemic awareness, phonics skills, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

  • Critical for foundational reading skill development.

Role of Class Teacher

• Foster a love of reading by modeling enthusiasm and including diverse texts.

• Create print-rich environments and provide age-appropriate materials.

• Cultivate a culture valuing reading for pleasure and learning.

Foster a Love for Reading

• Regularly read aloud and employ storytelling techniques.

• Recognize and celebrate reader accomplishments.

• Display enthusiasm to inspire a lifelong love for books.

Time Allocation for Life Skills (Weekly)

School Visit Findings

• Notional time for Life Skills is not reflected on timetables.

• Schools still using Circular S5 of 2023 rather than the correct CAPS Policy.

Time Allocation Table (2025)

Weekly Expectations for BKPSW

Grade 1

• Themes and corresponding dates for activities outlined in the schedule.

Grade 2

• Schedule detailing themes and written activities following the assessment expectations.

Grade 3

• Detailed weekly themes and activity expectations including written assignments and DBE pages.

Lesson Plans School Visit Findings

• Lesson plans lack detail; DBE pages not specified.

• Activities not age-appropriate; primarily note-taking.

• Monitoring of lesson content advised, emphasizing diverse activities and clear objectives for learners.

Supporting Progressed Learners School Visit Findings

• Evidence of support for progressed learners is often lacking.

• Strategies needed to identify learning gaps and provide individualized support.

• Differentiated instruction and parental communication are crucial for successful intervention.

Reminder for Documentation

• Track progress through visible corrections in workbooks and appropriate teaching aids.

Life Skills Assessment Findings

• Assessments lack pre-moderation and continuous administration.

• Review of assessment tasks for age appropriateness and theme alignment recommended.

Reminder on Assessment Practices

• Assessments must comply with CAPS and be conducted continuously, incorporating diverse question types.

• Assessment weighting defined with emphasis on balanced allocation for various components.

Acknowledgements

• Life Skills Subject Advisors: Lamola Mokoena and Adel Janse van Vuuren

• Initiative: GGT2030 - Growing Gauteng Together