Organic combination, natural connection, comprehensive knowledge application, practical whole-person education

Tai Po Old Market Public School (Plover Cove) is committed to providing high-quality whole-person education and cultivating students’ balanced development in moral, intellectual, physical, social, aesthetic, emotional and spiritual education. The school takes synthesis and application as its two main teaching directions: synthesis, which is to integrate the basic abilities of various subjects; application is to allow students to combine applications in the learning process to achieve the effect of practicing and applying knowledge. Principal Ye Yizhao believes: "Only knowledge acquired through practice belongs to oneself." Therefore, the school naturally integrates knowledge from textbooks or outside the classroom into the classroom, actively provides students with different application and trial opportunities, learns to use knowledge and skills flexibly, and prepares for the future.

Promote interdisciplinary learning and construct a complete knowledge system

Knowledge is not just an extension of one subject, but should break the framework restrictions of different subjects and combine and apply knowledge organically. The school combines different curriculum contents in an interdisciplinary format to allow students to put the knowledge they have learned into practice. For example, the school introduces cross-curricular reading, which is based on Chinese subjects and cooperates with English subjects, general knowledge subjects and school-based courses to closely link the knowledge of different courses and deepen students' knowledge level through more focused and extended reading. At the same time, in order to enhance the depth and breadth of students' reading, the school has added intensive teaching classes to the Chinese subject within the cross-curricular reading plan, which uses literary classics, bridge books and interesting picture books as teaching content, combined with independent learning strategies to enhance students' interest in reading. In the classroom, general knowledge subjects and English subjects will be combined to conduct previews and extended readings in conjunction with the classroom content. Then, the knowledge learned in reading will be displayed in the classroom, and the knowledge absorbed will be synthesized and internalized to make the learning deeper and more layered. Students can integrate knowledge during learning and become independent learners who love and can read.

Enrich learning experience and give back to society with knowledge

Vice Principal Yang Keqi said: "We hope that students' learning can be combined with action practice, and they can apply what they learn in daily life to promote learning and make knowledge more solid." In teaching, the school actively provides students with opportunities for application and practice. For example, in the third grade, the teacher used the reading "Breathing Bread" to enhance students' interest in reading and learn more Chinese knowledge from it. For example, the teacher will arrange for children to use light clay to experience the process of making bread, and learn to describe actions such as "kneading", "push" and "pinching". Afterwards, the school will lead students to visit a bakery to learn how bread is made. Vice Principal Yang believes that learning is not only the establishment of knowledge, but also the cultivation of moral character. In order for students to become people who contribute to society in the future, they need to learn how to contribute what they have learned to society, just like the protagonist in the book, becoming a conscientious baker and contributing to society.

Life Education Plan: Insights from Practice

Cultivation of values is particularly important for children's growth. The school has launched a life education program for primary school students so that they can gain insights from practice. For example, through the "Life Monopoly" simulation game, students can choose a life path based on their different identities and experiences. From the simulation experience, they understand that there will be limitations in life, but they can achieve success as long as they work hard. The school also invites parents from different professions to the school to introduce different jobs to their children, so that they understand the effort required to engage in different professions. While broadening their horizons, they also have a real environment to connect with the community.

At the same time, the school invites other sister schools outside the district to conduct exchange activities, allowing students to use the knowledge they have learned in arts and literature classes to introduce children with physical disabilities to Tai Po District, such as characteristic buildings, scenic spots, etc., so that they can learn to communicate and understand how to get along with others. Vice Principal Chen Huiqun shared: "After the event, the students were very moved and said that even though the other party was limited by their body, they worked hard. Through every opportunity, students can gain insights from knowledge, emotion, and action, and feel from experience, which touches the children's hearts and cultivates correct values."

STEAM closely links different disciplines and comprehensively applies knowledge and skills

STEAM education closely links the knowledge of different subjects, which not only breaks the boundaries of subjects and strengthens students' interest in science and technology, but also helps cultivate the ability to comprehensively apply knowledge and skills, and become a new generation of talents in the 21st century. Therefore, the school incorporates STEAM elements into the curriculum, connects knowledge from different disciplines, and launches maker courses to cultivate students' problem-solving skills, collaboration skills, and critical thinking skills. Let students use their knowledge and hands-on work to make solar night lights, heartbeat measuring instruments, environmentally friendly heat insulation pads, etc., which are closely linked to classroom teaching, and their works can be used in daily life.

In addition, the school's STEAM education is more closely linked to values ​​education, allowing students to try raising fireflies. In addition to learning about the habits of fireflies and related biological knowledge, it is also a kind of life education. Vice Principal Yang said: "Fireflies can be seen in many places in Tai Po, but due to pollution, unsuitable places, and climate changes, fireflies slowly disappear. Through this practice, students learn how to take care of them and understand that life is priceless and worthy of respect. In addition, students also learn different scientific knowledge and explore the issue of global warming, thereby understanding their responsibilities to society and the world. They need to know how to protect the ecology and care for the community in order to ensure the continuation of the species."

Diversified gifted courses to develop strengths in respective fields

Children have different talents and potentials. The school provides ample space for development, allows students to try different courses, and arranges gifted classes to conduct different trainings. Gifted courses are very diversified, including Chinese classes, leadership training, etc. The school will arrange teachers and external tutors to conduct training courses to help students strengthen their potential after class and enable students to develop better. At the same time, the school encourages students to actively participate in different off-campus competitions and activities, such as the "Little Chief Executive", "Elite Cup", "Children's Dragon Ambassador", Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Students, etc., so that students can further develop their potential in all aspects. Through different competitions and gifted courses, students can broaden their horizons, accumulate experience, and enhance their self-confidence and sense of achievement.

Thanks to the careful cultivation of the school, students can shine in their respective fields of expertise. For example, three students were elected as "Little Chief Executives" in the "12th Hong Kong Little Chief Executive Election"; their classmates were also selected as "Outstanding Primary School Students" in the "23-24 Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Outstanding Primary School Students Election"; they won the honors of "Tai Po District Outstanding Youth" and "Star of Stars" in the "23-24 Tai Po District Outstanding Youth Election"; in the Hong Kong Inter-school Chinese Reading Competition (Primary School Junior Group Group) These competitions provide a platform for students to showcase their different potentials. Vice Principal Chen said: "By participating in different competitions and discovering their shining points, students will become more confident and perform better, leading to more and greater successes."

Transition strategy to primary school to help children grow together

The entry of kindergarten students into primary school is an important stage in the transition of education. In order to take care of the needs of students, the school has formulated a transition strategy to primary school and strives to create a family-like atmosphere to help students develop a sense of security and self-confidence. For example, the school arranges for each Primary One student to serve in a service position in the class. This not only serves their classmates, but also helps them build a sense of self-worth. At the same time, the school paired each primary one student with a senior student. The two not only played and read together, but also gave each other heartfelt cards to express their care. The school also held a 100-day banquet in conjunction with the parent-teacher association, inviting primary one freshmen and their parents to celebrate their 100th day of school.

Bridging strategies are also reflected in daily lessons. For example, the cross-curricular reading plan for Chinese classes will select picture books related to students' experiences, such as "Chicken Goes to School" and "The First Day of School, I Got Butterflies in My Stomach." These picture books allow students to feel the resonance of "I am not alone, there are people like me" during the interaction. Students will also design their own picture books to record their school experiences, allowing teachers and parents to better understand their feelings through these works.

High-quality learning environment, combining practice with learning

The school has tens of thousands of square feet of farmland, which demonstrates students' comprehensive and applied abilities. The farmland is used for school-based programs that allow students to try their hand at rice farming. At the same time, the school also arranged for students to engage in farming activities with community elders and kindergarten students. Principal Ye said: "Farming activities can cultivate students' values, especially the qualities of hard work." The school also has an indoor heated swimming pool for swimming lessons. "The unique thing about swimming is that it requires overcoming personal fears. In the process, students can develop courage and perseverance."

The cooperation of the environment allows students to have different experiences. In addition to knowledge, it also provides space for students to synthesize and apply, learn from practice, and best prepare students for their growth.