Orientation Level (Grades 5-6)
The Orientation Phase at the Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg comprises Grades 5 and 6. Completion of Grade 6 either affords learners entry to a German Gymnasium (grammar school) or, if they remain at the DSJ, an unproblematic transition to Grade 7. In this regard the Orientation Phase serves the following purposes: on the one hand, enabling learners to acquaint themselves with the new requirements of the Secondary school and, on the other hand, observing and supporting the particular skills and tendencies of learners.
In the Orientation Phase the following subjects are offered: German and English, French, Afrikaans, Zulu, mathematics, geography, history, biology, religious studies, art, music, sport, life skills, computer studies, creative textiles and technology.
Learners must decide which first choice subject they want to take after parents and their children have been advised at a Parents’ Information Evening before the end of Grade 5. The options are French, Afrikaans or Zulu.
Support that is offered in the Orientation Phase relates to the work in the Primary School. At the moment Grade 5 and 6 learners are taught German Home Language in four smaller, differentiated groups, team teaching for learners in the NPS learner group takes place in history, biology, geography and mathematics (subjects which are often reliant on good comprehension of, and expression in, the language). Generally there is no external differentiation in other subjects and tuition within class context enjoys priority. However, subject teachers are sensitive to different levels of proficiency in their classes and will offer additional support to learners who need it and stimulate those individuals or groups of learners who work faster than others. Learners and guardians are individually advised by class teachers and the phase coordinator, should they need additional help. Grade 5 learners are presently offered two support lessons per week in the subjects English or mathematics as a Special Interest course. This happens on recommendation by the reports conference.
Further support is provided in homework supervision every afternoon of the school week and help with German homework for learners in the NPS course.
Teachers are regularly trained in modern methodology. Through practising self-directed work, engaging in co-operative learning and subject or cross-curricular project work, optimal learning takes place amongst these students while values like independence, responsibility and social competence are enhanced. +
As the DSJ is a multi-cultural school in which a class of non-German-speaking children is introduced into Grade 5 each year, strong emphasis is placed on familiarizing these learners with one another and their different identities. A special example of promoting cultural bonding is the integration in Grade 5 of the German mother-tongue classes with the New Secondary School class in the subjects English, art, lifeskills, sport, French, (Zulu) and Afrikaans as well as the Special Interest subjects. There are parent evenings and the Phase coordinator, class teachers and prefects plan common activities like the sleepover at the school. Parents are also involved. In the second and third terms two class trips for Grade 5 classes and one for Grade Sixes take place. The main focus of these trips is teamwork and cultural integration.
At all times the school tries to maintain close cooperation with the parents. Consultations and parent days are offered.
By the end of the Orientation Phase the learners should have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the gymnasial or grammar school requirements of the next level.