Ellen Stirling Primary School uses Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) as a major instructional focus. Our lessons are strategically planned and we explicitly teach new concepts to mastery. Our teachers use EDI to teach new concepts in Mathematics and English. Other pedagogies such as Inquiry and Cooperative Learning are also used are used across the curriculum, to complement the EDI focus.
EDI lessons contain eight main components for success.
- Learning Objective
- Activating Prior Knowledge
- Concept Development
- Skill Development
- Guided Practice
- Relevance
- Closure
- Periodic (daily) reviews
The EDI model we use was developed by John Hollingsworth and Dr Silvia Ybarra from DataWORKS and is based on educational theory, brain research, data analysis and direct instruction.
The daily reviews undertaken at the commencement of each literacy and Numeracy lesson reduce cognitive load and builds automaticity. Teachers use TAPPLE and Engagement Norms to engage students successfully during each lesson. Our staff collaborate regularly to streamline the programs delivered in each year level, and keeping learning fun is a key component to our pedagogy.
In addition to our strong focus on literacy and numeracy, students enjoy a broad and engaging curriculum, with specialist lessons in physical education, visual arts, performing arts and STEM (integrated Science, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics). From Year 3, students learn Indonesian as an additional language.