Foundation Phase

CAPS document Foundation Phase is Grades 1-3.

How many subjects are in the Foundation Phase?

There are currently four subjects in the Foundation Phase, with a fifth subject set for introduction in 2023.

What are the Foundation Phase subjects?

The four Foundation Phase subjects are:

• Home Language
• First Additional Language
• Mathematics
• Life Skills

A fifth subject, currently undergoing pilots in schools, is Coding and Robotics.

How do you assess Foundation Phase learners?

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.

Types of assessment in Foundation Phase

The main types of assessment at the Foundation Phase are:

• observation by the teacher
• oral discussions,
• practical demonstrations
• written recording.

Grade R

• All you need to know about teaching Grade R
• Find out about worksheets
• What activities for grade R?
• Grade R CAPS Document