Skills Builder Global

This content was written by

Ellen Sharma Memorial Matric Hr. Secondary School

Context

Our school aims to provide an excellent education to children from surrounding rural areas, industrial areas, from the city and all over India and non-resident Indians. It is set in a beautiful campus, across houses and two excellent school buildings, for the Kindergarten, and Primary section and for the High and Higher Secondary School with vast play grounds, a scout camp, and dormitories for residential students.

Overall impact

Our understanding of how to build essential skills has increased by being on the Accelerator program. We have improved the communication skills of our year 6 students using a clear and planned approach.

Keep it simple

Our grade 6 English teachers gave out certificates weekly. A visual display was created in year 6 learning areas and Grade 6 incorporated essential skills of communication into their assemblies. We also held teacher training sessions with Skills Builder Global for our year 6 teachers.

Start early, keep going

In our first year we started the essential skills program with grade 6 learners.

Measure it

Our teachers used a combination of offline assessment and the Hub platform to track progress. English teachers completed a baseline assessment in November which was reassessed in February/March. We also asked learners to complete self reflection in class time.

Focus tightly

Our teachers used the offline handbook to directly teach the skill steps. Some teachers also used short lessons and workbooks from the HUB. We planned lessons to take place 1x per week in English Language class for approximately 15 minutes per week.

Keep practising

Our essential skills program was linked to the English Language subject areas and all our grade 6 English teachers reinforced the skill step in their lessons. Our grade assemblies also gave students an opportunity to utilise their Communication skills.