The MindMax Program in the Junior School

The MindMax program in the Junior School is one part of the CGGS approach to extension and enrichment of our highly able students across the School. The MindMax Program consists of a two withdrawal programs  for highly able Years 3 and 4 students and Years 5 and 6 students. The Years 3 to Years 4 Program operates for four periods a week under the guidance of Mrs Raelene Ernst, the CGGS Academic Enrichment and Learning Support teacher (ELC to 12). The Years 5-6 program is taken by Lee Wilde.

The 2007 MindMax Program for Years 3 and 4, began earlier this term, and the students are exploring the fascinating concept of time in a literature-based unit extending over Terms 2 and 3. Students meet each week developing skills in the areas of persuasive writing, analysis and interpretation of literature and speaking and listening. The students are required to complete homework reading and writing tasks.

Although literature-based, the Program is interdisciplinary and uses an inquiry approach. The main focus is Australian children’s literature, with a multicultural dimension. Some of the literature includes The Best-kept Secret by Emily Rodda, Jeremy Jeremiah by Antonia Barron and Melissa’s Ghost by Michael Dugan.

The Program for Years 5 and 6 comprises a multi-disciplinary project called Frozen Music. In this project, the students are focusing on the relationship between the concepts of “function” and “form” in architecture. To do this they are evaluating the philosophy and history of architecture in different eras, cultures and settings, and then they will use this knowledge to derive principles of architectural design with a view to designing a new Performing Arts Centre for the Junior School, showing consideration of both function and form. The students are excitedly looking forward to starting their designs early in Term 3.

It is intended that a local architect be invited to judge the designs, created using a computer application.

In conjunction with this work, the students are also studying how the concepts of “function” and “form” are used in picture books. This they are doing with Mrs Selleck in the Library.

Year 3/4 MindMax group	Year 5/6 MindMax Group