South African Teachers
CAPS document Foundation Phase is Grades 1-3.
There are currently four subjects in the Foundation Phase, with a fifth subject set for introduction in 2023.
The four Foundation Phase subjects are:
A fifth subject, currently undergoing pilots in schools, is Coding and Robotics.
Use both informal and formal assessment at the Foundation Phase.
Informal assessment happens by observing oral, practical and written activities that the learner does independently, in a pair, or a group. The teacher observes how the learners do their tasks, what they struggle with, and how learners work together in a group or independently. Informal daily assessment tasks are not formally recorded unless the teacher wishes to do so. Lesson planning should incorporate such everyday assessment tasks and activities.
A formal assessment provides teachers with a systematic way of assessing and evaluating the learner’s progress. Formal assessment tasks need to be carefully planned, recorded, and reported in all three Learning Programmes (Literacy, Numeracy, Life Skills). Teachers should choose appropriate and relevant forms of assessment that suit all learners’ different learning styles and ability levels. The form of assessment should also be grade and age-appropriate.
The main types of assessment at the Foundation Phase are:
Grade R
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📚 LESSON OVERVIEW This lesson introduces learners to data handling by teaching them how to collect, organize, and represent data using pictographs and bar graphs. Learners will conduct a class survey, create visual representations of their data, and interpret information from graphs. This practical approach helps develop critical thinking and data analysis skills essential for … Read more
📚 LESSON OVERVIEW This lesson introduces Grade 4 learners to the essential elements of narrative writing. Learners will explore story structure through reading, discussion, and creative writing activities. By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to identify the key components of a story (characters, setting, plot, problem, and solution) and apply these … Read more
📚 LESSON OVERVIEW This engaging lesson focuses on personal and household hygiene practices that are essential for maintaining health and preventing disease. Learners will explore why hygiene matters, identify personal hygiene items that should not be shared, understand germ breeding areas in the home, and develop practical strategies for maintaining cleanliness in their daily lives. … Read more
Grade R is a critical phase in the South African education system. It is the gateway that prepares young learners for the formal learning process. The question that often arises for educators is “how do you teach Grade R learners effectively?” This article seeks to answer this question comprehensively, highlighting the importance of play-based activities, … Read more