Intermediate schools – Teaching & Learning Research Initiative

The Apiscope Buzz: A mixed methods action research project investigating STEM to STEAM using the Apiscope as a tool for differentiated teaching and learning

Introduction This Teaching and Learning Research Initiative (TLRI) project was a 2-year exploratory study focusing on differentiating the curriculum in response to individual learner differences. The project was designed to explore learning and teaching of differentiated scientific content through observational processes and the expression of that learning through the creative arts. This exploration was undertaken in two classrooms at Avalon Intermediate School and Newlands Intermediate School that were each provided with an observational beehive called an Apiscope. These observational beehives were central to the project, which explored how the study of bees can be used to facilitate the teaching of key concepts related to living systems—sustainability, work, survival, structures, patterns—that, in

Enhancing the intercultural capability of students of additional languages in New Zealand’s intermediate schools

Introduction The purpose of this TLRI-funded study was to investigate how five Year 7/8 teachers of additional languages in four primary/intermediate schools in New Zealand supported their students to develop their intercultural capability in the context of learning a language additional to the language of instruction. The teachers taught a range of languages (Chinese, Japanese, French, te reo Māori). We define intercultural capability as the ability to relate successfully and comfortably to people from different cultural backgrounds, appreciating and valuing one’s own culture and uniqueness alongside the cultures and uniqueness of others (Liddicoat, 2005). Our study was motivated by national and international rationales. In light of the increasing diversity of backgrounds