Humanities and Social Science

Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) focuses on the study of human behaviour and interaction in social, cultural, environmental, economic and political contexts. Our students look at historical and contemporary focuses in both personal and global contexts. A key focus is on problem-solving and thinking about opportunities and challenges for the future. We develop students’ ability to question, think critically, make decisions based on evidence, create proposals for actions and communicate effectively.

A small snapshot of key focuses and strategies Bicton is employing to continue to build our HaSS programs and pedagogy are:

• Year level teachers use yearly overviews to inform and develop term overviews using Teacher Development School term planning templates.
• Use Dashboard (on Student Achievement Information System – SAIS) to check grade distribution, for moderation and to allow for differentiation and effective planning.
• Explicitly teach HaSS concepts with a focus on inquiry skills for a minimum of I hour per week (integrate within literacy lessons).
• Questioning and Researching – self-questioning (reading)
• Analysing – making connections (reading)
• Communicating and reflecting (determining importance, summarising and paraphrasing (reading), oral language presentations (speaking and listening)
• Evaluating (synthesising, self-questioning)
• Embed the Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Project over a two-year period to develop students understanding of Aboriginal culture.