Primary Matters

Primary Matters December 1995

From Board Bulletin, Vol 4, No. 10, December 1995

K-6 projects in progress at the Board of Studies

Primary Curriculum Conference

Primary Matters - the conference, will be held on 25-26 March 1996 at the University of Sydney. The key purpose of this conference is to provide primary educators with accurate information regarding primary curriculum development in NSW. This two-day conference will include seminars, forums, workshops and keynote speeches addressing current developments and issues in and across the six Key Learning Areas of the primary curriculum. Participants will have an opportunity to discuss curriculum matters with the managers of State curriculum and comment on the progress of various projects and initiatives - all at the one venue.

NSW Schools will soon be receiving a flyer with information about how to register for Primary Matters -- the conference.

Consumer Power

Consumer Power is an education resource package produced by The NSW Department of Fair Trading. It contains a video and a teacher's handbook. The aim of the Consumer Power resource is to assist children in Years 3 and 4 to develop decision-making, problem-solving, interpretation and communication skills necessary for informed consumer behaviour. The video unfolds in four 15-minute parts with two children and a skeleton named Clive setting up a toyshop and investigating consumer and trader issues. The handbook contains units of work and activity sheets that can be used in conjunction with the video. The issues raised in this resource draw on the content in the Key Learning Areas of Personal Development, Health & Physical Education (Personal Choice), and Human Society & Its Environment (Civics). The Department of Fair Trading is currently developing Consumer Power 2 in CD-ROM for students in Years 5 and 6.

Statement of Equity Principles

One of the key policy documents underpinning the work of the Board of Studies is the Statement of Equity Principles. The purpose of this document is to provide a guide for writers of syllabuses, support and assessment materials, in developing materials that are inclusive of the needs of the full range of students. In developing the Statement, the Board opted for a new approach. Traditionally, guidelines for inclusivity identify educationally disadvantaged groups and delineate guidelines for each group - essentially forming categories. The Board's approach has been to develop principles to ensure that syllabus, support and assessment materials are of relevance and significance to all students by including more 'voices' into the curriculum.

If you would like further information regarding these items or K-6 curriculum matters in general, contact Margaret Malone, Inspector, Primary Education, phone (02) 9927 8199 or fax (02) 9954 9218.