Educational Concept «Ich bi parat!»
The pedagogical concept provides the framework for the pedagogical work, but also leaves room for developments specific to the school building or year group.
It is based on the cantonal Curriculum 21, the cantonal lesson plan, the educational principles of Sek eins Höfe, the joint vision for the elementary school of the future (AVS, PHSZ, LSZ, VSLSZ), the new assessment regulations of the Canton of Schwyz, which will be introduced in the 2024/25 school year, and the recommendations of the UNESCO Science Council.
Goals
Pupils are supported in their personal development, can acquire additional interdisciplinary and subject-specific skills and are additionally motivated in their learning with various offers. Young people with strong (partial) talents receive special learning opportunities for their further academic and professional path.
Four dimensions of personality development
"Ich bi parat!" (I'm ready!) This motto expresses the inner, mental and physical willingness to take on something new, to face a challenge or to tackle a task with confidence. The use of the slogan in Swiss German emphasises the immediacy and emotionality in different areas of life. The four dimensions include a variety of skills and ways of acting that guide educational action:
| I'm ready... | |
| ... to learn | knowledge, learning strategies, methods |
| ... for the demanding | self-confidence needed to tackle challanges and to preservere |
| ... for mutual respect | to be a team player and to take on responsibility |
| ... to look after my health | make sure I get sufficient exercise and relaxation |
Four basic elements
The orientation week, held for each year group (YG), kicks off a new school year. Learning labs encourage the young people to work independently. PTG modules enable interest-driven learning. Project weeks deal with topics of Curriculum 21. The four basic elements will be introduced step by step in the school years 2022/23 and 2023/24
The orientation week
| YG | The orientation week | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I'm ready ... for Sek eins Höfe | Tablet hand-out and introduction, getting to know the school building and the people, introduction to the learning lab |
| 2 | I'm ready ... for my future | Career choice: Creation of a personal career choice portfolio, promotion of presentation skills, visit to the career information centre |
| 3 | I'm ready ... for life | Kick-off for the 4C modules: Critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity: planning school trips, supporting non-profit organisations/community, workshops on etiquette, theatre and shaping the future, working with the coaching booklet |
Learning lab (LL)
The learning lab takes place from YG 1 to YG 3 for four to six lessons, two of which are organised across classes in the YG and shown in the timetable accordingly. The young people are supported in the gradual transition from guided, self-directed learning to self-organised learning.
PTG modules (PTG = Promotion for talented and gifted children)
Based on the contents of "Ich bin parat!", two weekly lessons are set aside for PTG modules in each year group. These modules, organised each trimester, are open to all pupils to promote their talents and gifts. This makes it possible to offer support across all classes (English, French, MINT/ICT, music/creative).
| YG | 1st trimester | 2nd trimester | 3rd trimester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PTG modules, across year groups The goal: Emotional, mental and social health Possible contents: Self-organisation (e.g. learning to learn), personality development (e.g. happiness modules, theatre elements) Team-building modules in which tasks are solved together, etc. | Project work part 1 The goal: Learning project steps and how to organise a project Focus on these methods: Formulating research questions and/or SMART objectives, strengths-based presentation technique, WIN feedback Possible template: Riedmatt geography project: People's Place in the World | PTG modules, across year groups The goal: To build and expand knowledge, to take on challenges Possible contents: Basic modules, interest-based modules, challenge modules; other models possible |
| 2 | PTG modules, across year groups The goal: To build and expand knowledge, to take on challenges Possible contents: PTG modules: English, French, MINT, programming, music, creative, etc. | I'm ready for my future The goal: To build and expand knowledge, to take on challenges Contents: I'm ready for my future: KSA preparation, no PTG modules but career guidance activities | Project work part 2 Research at Sek eins Höfe The goal: Project planning and expanding knowledge Possible contents: Youth research with electronic survey and presentation in classes; Bilingual classes: in English (Science Fair or similar) |
| 3 | Project work part 3 4C and group project The goal: To work reliably with others as a team player Possible contents: 4C: Critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity; planning a group project/event: service/product for an external reference group, e.g. pensioners, primary school, nursery school, integration class, municipality, corporation, sponsored run, … | I'm ready to learn for myself and for others The goal: To apply learning strategies and take responsibility towards others Contents: Preparation for Federal Vocational Baccalaureate, vocational secondary school and KSA, for the others: Organise art and creativity courses, kick-off for individual in-depth work | Project work part 4 Individual in-depth work The goal: To plan, carry out and describe / reflect on an independent project Contents: Individual in-depth work |
Project week
A so called “block week” (project week) is held annually at both schools, during which courses are offered in the following subject areas in accordance with Curriculum 21:
- Politics, democracy and human rights
- Natural environment and resources
- Gender and equality
- Health
- Global development and peace
- Cultural identities and intercultural understanding
- Economy and consumption