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1.7 Edenside Primary School, Borders

Activity Time
Edenside Primary School, Borders

Planned Activity Time

Planned Activity Time is the way Primary One, at Edenside Primary School, teach mixed ability groups a range of practical, curricular activities. Teaching in this way increases adult intervention in the early years therefore encouraging the "quiet child" to contribute comfortably within the group. It keeps control of the "over excited child" and it provides opportunities for co-operation, concentration and colourful contexts for learning. There are also opportunities for children to share ideas, experiences and explanations, after all;

"what a child can do today in co-operation, tomorrow he will be able to do on his own."1

Another benefit is that it is easy to assess the children's knowledge and understanding throughout because of the small group situation.

How is it organised? Before the session begins, the class teachers take Nursery Baseline Assessment Information and use this to group the children into five mixed ability groups so that on day one the children are ready to start Activity Time. The children stay and work in these groups daily throughout the year.

Everyday, for forty five minutes primary one participate in 'Activity Time'. Activities are planned carefully to include a variety of subject areas and specific skills the children require in order to become confident, independent and reflective learners.