Te Akomanga Tuaiwa

Class Nine

‘Polarity and Contrast’

The theme in Class 9 is of polarity and contrast. This stage of adolescence is often an emotional roller coaster and life may be experienced by students as a series of highs and lows. This is reflected in many of the themes of the subjects during the year such as rights and responsibilities, comedy and tragedy and black and white drawing and print-making. Through these and other subjects, students are encouraged to use both the senses and intellect, challenging them to think deeply and observe meticulously. These critical thinking skills help the student to begin to see beyond black and white polarities. Curriculum content, concepts and ideas are grounded in authentic contexts to support students in making the necessary connections and becoming more adept at putting their thoughts into action. All subjects are compulsory, including a chosen language, keeping a breadth of learning that creates a firm foundation for the years ahead.

By the end of Class 9 the students should begin to:

• Show self-motivated interest in the world around them; acquire knowledge about what interests them through independent gathering of information and facts;

• Show structure in their thinking and be able to make logical causal deductions; move from judgement based on feeling (Class 8) to judgement based on observation and understanding. Apply analytical processes to an overall nexus and discover the underlying principles;

• Know how to make the transition from idea to ideal, and from ideal to applied practice and move from discovery (Classes 7 and 8) to creation and invention. Engage their will in the realm of ideals;

• Appreciate technology as the “fifth kingdom’, the kingdom of culture, created by the human being; discover in technology the thought become worldly reality;

• Understand the transitions between polarities in many different realms of life and especially the arts;

• Understand that art and science reflect historical changes in cultural consciousness and that artists and scientists have world views that are expressed in their work;

• Learn to work and be able to learn through work. Have hands-on experience of as many areas of practical life as possible;

• Be able to work as a team and solve problems together.

The Teachers’ Pedagogical Aims for Class 9 are:

1. To awaken to the polarities of subject knowledge through both heart and will.

2. To develop the reasoning power of the student.

3. To show how causes, issues, “facts”, phenomena, opinions, etc., can pull in two directions, have two sides.

4. To work with accurate observation, objectivity and detail.

5. To bring claims of rights and responsibilities to consciousness.

6. To foster tolerance and social engagement.

7. To build inner courage and perseverance.

8. To bring idealism to the fore – to push ideas to the limits, and limitations.

9. To work with the hands and soil.