LIFE ORIENTATION
LO STAFF
An overview of what we offer in Life Orientation to ALL pupils from Grades 8-12. This is in addition to any individual help a pupil may receive.
15 September 2009 Grade 8 DAT - Differential Aptitude Test [Advanced Version: Form S] ALL Grade 8 pupils and pupils in Grade 9 new to the schools write the DAT test in February. Aptitude is the potential a person has which will enable him/her to achieve a certain level of ability with a given amount of training and/or practice. Aptitude, together with interest, attitude, motivation and other personality characteristics, will to a large extent determine the ultimate success of a person. The DAT is aimed at measuring specific intellectual abilities, rather than general abilities. The DAT taps into the following areas: VERBAL REASONING - general reasoning and the ability to solve problems requiring logical thought NON-VERBAL REASONING - the ability to solve problems of a logical nature in which words(of a reasoning ability) and numbers do not occur in the question COMPUTATIONS - arithmetical ability, but not necessarily mathematical reasoning READING COMPREHENSION - general language ability VOCABULARY - vocabulary as well as the application of this knowledge MEMORY - the ability to memorise irrespective of meaningfulness or complexity of material COMPARISON - Visual Perceptive Speed of differences and similarities SPATIAL VISUALISATION 3D - 3D perceptual ability, including reasoning MECHANIC. REASONING - the ability to understand the operation of mechanical apparatus Grade 9 Subject Choice Testing Each pupil receives an individual report/letter in their 2nd term report. The Subject Choice test report is composed from the following: G8 DAT Test results + G8 Term 3 results + G8 Term 3 Application marks + G9 Term 1 results + G9 Term 1 Application marks + Preference and Interest Rating Questionnaire + Teacher Input Subject Choice presentation Grade 11 All Grade 11s and any matric pupils new to the school write the DAT test in May DAT - Differential Aptitude Test [Advanced Version: Form L] The DAT – L is aimed at measuring specific intellectual abilities, rather than general intellectual abilities. The DAT provides information on a pupil’s relative strong and weak intellectual abilities, compared with those of a comparable group. The following are measured in addition to the areas measured on the DAT – S: CALCULATIONS - arithmetical ability and the ability to work quickly and accurately PRICE CONTROLLING - the ability to look up data quickly and accurately – aids decisions with regards to administrative tasks MECHANICAL INSIGHT - the ability to understand the operation of mechanical apparatus, and to grasp the principles of mechanics or Physical Science Careers Assessment - ALL Grade 11 pupils receive a full Careers Assessment by the time pupils leave for half-term in the 3rd term. The report is composed from the following: DAT – L Test + Tertiary Study and Career Interest Questionnaire + SAVII – South African Vocational Interest Inventory + JPQ – Jung Personality Questionnaire Some of the areas covered by Life Orientation each year include: Grade 8 Time Management, Study Habits and Work Ethic Sexuality Education Relationships Fitness - how to use the gym and correct nutrition Grade 9 Subject Choices Careers – Extended Assignment Drugs and Narcotics Grade 10 Personal Development - getting in touch with self Time Management and Examination Techniques Teenage Pregnancy - decisions and consequences - new legal system Grade 11 Careers and Gap Year Extended Assignment Leadership and EQ Extended Assignment Interviews Mock Rape Trial including the new legal system Grade 12 Continuation of Careers and Gap Year Opportunities Extended Assignment, including Tertiary Education Applications and Gap Year Applications Administration, Booking and Writing of Admissions tests to UCT, Stellenbosch and Rhodes Universities Mental Health Relationships Conflict Management Yours sincerely (Mrs) Anne Preston [HOD: Life Orientation]
Grade 8
DAT - Differential Aptitude Test [Advanced Version: Form S]
Aptitude is the potential a person has which will enable him/her to achieve a certain level of ability with a given amount of training and/or practice.
Aptitude, together with interest, attitude, motivation and other personality characteristics, will to a large extent determine the ultimate success of a person.
The DAT is aimed at measuring specific intellectual abilities, rather than general abilities.
Grade 9
Subject Choice Testing
Each pupil receives an individual report/letter
[The Subject Choice test report is composed from the following:
G8 DAT Test results + G8 Term 3 results + G8 Term 3 Application marks
+ G9 Term 1 results + G9 Term 1 Application marks
+ Preference and Interest Rating Questionnaire + Teacher Input]
Subject Choice presentation
Grade 11
DAT - Differential Aptitude Test [Advanced Version: Form L]
The DAT – L is aimed at measuring specific intellectual abilities, rather than general intellectual abilities. The DAT provides information on a pupil’s relative strong and weak intellectual abilities, compared with those of a comparable group.
Careers Assessment
The report is composed from the following:
[DAT – L Test + Tertiary Study and Career Interest Questionnaire
+ SAVII – South African Vocational Interest Inventory
+ JPQ – Jung Personality Questionnaire]
Careers and Gap Year Assignment
This assignment starts in October of the G 11 year and continues through to the end of the 1st term in matric.
Grade 12
ATS and AARP Tests
We do the Stellenbosch and the UCT and Rhodes Admissions tests here on our school campus for all our pupils to write, inless they are writing specialized tests, as in the case of Health Sciences.
Careers Day
Our Careers Day is open to all the matric pupils in the Grahamstown area and we invite Rhodes University (every faculty and department, as well as their Careers Centre and their Admin. Dept) and 35-40 other professionals, institutions onto our campus for the day.
Rotary Evening
We attend the Rotary evening hosted by Rhodes University each year where Rhodes students give reports of their successful ‘Gap Year’ adventures and offer help and guidance in signing up for these experiences.
Life Orientation Emphasis
Grade 8 Grade 9
Time Management, Study Habits Subject Choices
and Work Ethic Careers – Extended Assignment
Sexuality Education Drugs and Narcotics
Relationships
Fitness - how to use the gym
and correct nutrition
Grade 10 Grade 11
Personal Development Careers and Gap Year
- getting in touch with self Extended Assignment,
Time Management incl. CV & Letter of Application
and Examination Techniques Leadership and EQ
Teenage Pregnancy Interviews
- decisions and consequences Mock Rape Trial
- new legal system incl. the new legal system
Grade 12
Continuation of Careers Mental Health
and Gap Year Opportunities Relationships
Tertiary Education Applications Conflict Management
Gap Year Applications
Grade 7-9 Life Orientation
An introduction to GET [General Education and training band]
What is Life Orientation?
Life Orientation guides and prepares pupils for life and its possibilities. It equips pupils for meaningful and successful living in a rapidly changing and transforming society. Life Orientation serves to facilitate individual growth.
What is a portfolio?
A portfolio is a collection of the work of each pupil which covers all 5 areas of the GET.
What is a Learning Outcome?
A Learning Outcome describes what pupils should know and be able to do at the end of a grade or phase of work. They are grouped according to 5 areas (GET) that combine to form the Life Orientation Learning Area as a whole.
5 Learning Areas in GET
* LO 1 - Health Promotion
eg HIV / AIDS
* LO 2 - Social Development
eg Citizenship rights and Religions of the World
* LO 3 - Personal Development
eg Identifying Personal Goals
* LO 4 - Physical Development and Movement
eg Nutrition, Sports Programmes, Sportsmanship, Drugs in Sport
* LO 5 - Orientation to the Field of Work
eg Time Management, Work Ethic, Careers
LIFE ORIENTATION [FET Gr 10-12]
Life Orientation is a compulsory Matriculation subject. Pupils require a minimum of 40% for Life Orientation to receive a matriculation certificate.
In the FET (Further Education and Training Band: Gr 10-12), pupils work through four learning outcomes:
Learning Outcome 1 [Personal Well-being]
The pupil should achieve and maintain personal well-being through applying life skills to planning and achieving life goals. Pupils learn about life roles, relationships and how to prevent and manage stress.
Learning Outcome 2 [Citizenship Education]
The pupils are able to demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the values and rights that underpin the Constitution in order to practise becoming responsible citizens. Religions, ethical traditions and indigenous belief systems are also taught and discussed.
Learning Outcome 3 [Recreational and Physical Ability]
The pupil is able to explore and engage responsibly in recreation and physical activities, to promote well-being. Pupils are educated in nutrition and how sport and one’s current fitness levels, and physical well-being are all interlinked. Furthermore, the pupils are taught developmental skills in the areas of playing games, learning about leadership and developing an awareness of the etiquettes of sportsmanship and specatator behaviours.
Learning Outcomes 4 [Careers and Career Choices]
The pupil is able to demonstrate self-knowledge and the ability to make informed decisions regarding further study, career fields and career pathing.
Along with learning the skills of Time Management, Organisation of self and Study Methods, pupils are required to research higher education courses, job conditions and contracts, labour laws and the need for lifelong learning.
Additionally, pupils are required to obtain five certificates during the three years he / she takes to complete the FET band. IEB requires a minimum of four certificates but we stipulate four plus Community Service.
At least three learning outcomes need to be covered from Grade 10 - 12.
Examples include:
LO 1 - President’s Award
LO 2 - Community Service
LO 3 - Life-Saving certificate, Umpiring certificate, Fish River Journey
LO 4 - Computers – ICDL certificate, Work Experience
