Inspired Inquiry Approach

To be truly educated is to know how to be a skilled inquirer that means knowing, understanding many things but also – much more important than what you have stored in your mind – to know where to look, how to look, how to question, how to challenge, how to proceed independently, to deal with the challenges that the world presents to you…in co-operation and solidarity with others.
(Noam Chomsky (2015) – On Being Truly Educated 2015)
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Richmond Road School - Te Kura o Ritimana Develops an Inspired Inquiry Curriculum​

                              “….a hundred worlds to discover
                                   a hundred worlds to invent
                                   a hundred worlds to dream.”
              Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the Reggio Emilia approach

This will be a curriculum that has at its heart acknowledgement of and thoughtful pedagogical responses to the ideas/conceptual thinking and interests of a child as they try to find the meaning of what they do and what they experience. The child is seen as being able to initiate the learning that may transpire in a classroom. There is an underpinning belief that children are full of curiosity and creativity.

Reggio Emilia Approach In a Nutshell
A quick review of these theories which outlines the belief we also hold that a child is at the centre of the curriculum and can present their learning in a variety of ways. The link above will give you access to the video.

​Families and whānau who support and encourage their children to learn can make a huge difference to what they can achieve with their learning.
Below is a list of resources you might find useful in supporting your child’s development.

New Zealand Curriculum Online:

​Te Marautanga o Aotearoa

                Home Learning 
Let’s get away from homework being a stressful time. While it can still be a time to practice basic skills, or home learning as we like to call it, needs to be a time for positive sharing of a child’s learning and successes. We need to recognise that many children have a very full schedule after school.
Professor John Hattie, in his extensive research about what has the greatest impact on student achievement says…. 

“Homework in primary school has an effect of around zero. In high school it’s larger. Which is why we need to get it right. Not why we need to get rid of it. It’s one of those lower hanging fruit that we should be looking in our primary schools to say, “Is it really making a difference?” If you try and get rid of homework in primary schools many parents judge the quality of the school by the presence of homework. So, don’t get rid of it. Treat the zero as saying, “It’s probably not making much of a difference but let’s improve it”. Certainly I think we get over obsessed with homework. Five to ten minutes has the same effect of one hour to two hours. The worst thing you can do with homework is give kids projects. The best thing you can do is to reinforce something you’ve already learnt.” 

There are many studies that show a negative impact of ‘traditional homework’ like worksheets, on student learning and self esteem in primary aged children.

​                        Maths

NZ MathsThis is an excellent resource for supporting numeracy skills taught at school for Home Learning. The Families area is a resource that contains ideas and activities that can be downloaded at home. It will also inform you about the National Numeracy project.
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Practical Hands On Maths:  
https://smartparentadvice.com/fun-activities-math/
https://www.sumdog.com
https://www.studyladder.co.nz
https://www.prodigygame.com/


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Literacies

National Library of New Zealand – Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa
The National Library website keeps you up to date with current and upcoming exhibitions and events, allows you to search for items using their various catalogues and view their digital collections on-line. You’ll also find useful links and information on how to use the National Library and the various services offered.

Auckland City Libraries
Provides access to Auckland City Libraries on-line catalogues, for you to search at home.

www.sunshineonline.co.nz 
​(Username and password: rrs123)

From our resident children's book author and librarian...
holyrood11.wixsite.com/jovandam

http://www.coalitionforbooks.nz/storytime  

Paula Green challenges.  https://nzpoetrybox.wordpress.com/

Fabo Story competition  https://fabostory.wordpress.com/

Te Reo 

http://tereomaori.tki.org.nz/Reo-Maori-resources

​Te Reo Resources

         Samoan Literacy Sites

http://www.digitaldialects.com/Samoan.htm
http://ilanguages.org/samoan.php
http://mylanguages.org/samoan_games.php
http://www.thecoconet.tv/language-learning-games
http://www.digitaldialects.com/Samoan.htm
http://ilanguages.org/samoan.php
http://mylanguages.org/samoan_games.php
http://www.thecoconet.tv/language-learning-games

        French Literacy Sites

https://lalilo.com

​Where Has All The Play Gone?

Over the past thirty years in early childhood education, play has constantly been diminished in favour of more “common core” activities. Where Has All the Play Gone? highlights the benefits of additional play in that essential educational growth time. Filmed in schools across the United States and at the Reggio School in Italy, the documentary includes interviews with leading educational experts such as Noam Chomsky, Debbie Meier, and Howard Gardner.
​Where Has All the Play Gone? examines how some of the most innovative schools in the country are meeting new challenges in education today. Filmed over the course of a school year, the viewer experiences how play helps a child discover how to become a 
productive student and have better adult skills.
Noam Chomsky believes “the trend towards less play is harmful – it directs children into straitjackets.” 

Please click on the link to view video and enter the password.
https://vimeo.com/178099725
Password: play 

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