At Explore Learning, children who are gifted in maths and literacy can be extended and stretched academically in a learning environment that supports and encourages their talents.
How we stretch your
child:
Maths
Explore Learning uses a
range of tools to extend children who are gifted at maths. At the heart of our
ethos is an individualised approach and tailored learning which means that if
your child is already ahead of the class, they can be further stretched. All children go through an initial
diagnostic assessment which tells us where they are within the curriculum. The
pace of learning at Explore Learning is not determined by the class but by the
individual and so if your child naturally grasps new mathematical concepts
quickly they can move swiftly through the curriculum.
Advanced Maths
For children aged between
10 and 13 who are thinking of entering Maths competitions such as the UK Maths
Challenge in England and the Enterprising Mathematics Competition in Scotland
we run a course called Maths Enrichment where we practise the top level of
mathematical thinking and problem solving.
Reading
For children and young
people who are gifted readers, Explore Learning offers a wealth of reading and
comprehension resources. For younger children we use the critically acclaimed
Crick Software which has a beautifully digitised version of Oxford Reading Tree
and Trackers reading course with many comprehension and creative response
extension activities. For older readers we have a series of multimedia reading
resources called Digitexts. Produced by Pearson/Longman these Digitexts are non-linear
and multi-layered giving children the chance to develop higher-order literacy
skills and use of ICT.
Creative Writing
Each Explore Learning
centre runs a highly popular creative writing course once or twice a week
called Explore Writing. This course develops and refines the natural flair of
gifted writers through a series of thought-provoking and challenging topics,
such as journalistic writing, creating play scripts and developing storytelling
structure. Explore Learning
designed this course in conjunction with the award-winning Immersive Education
whose accolades include a BETT 2005 Award and a BAFTA Interactive Award nomination.
Confidence and motivation
We have seen so many of our
gifted learners grow in confidence and enthusiasm thanks to our individual
approach. We believe a motivated child is one who is challenged appropriately
and the greatest gift we can give them is the chance to work at their own pace
and see the rewards of stretching themselves to the next level. Social interaction is a big focus of the
centres, encouraging our members to build bonds with tutors and other members
means children love attending and are motivated to do so.
Feedback on Explore for
gifted children:
"The range of questions at the workshop meant that all children
could participate and be challenged by the activities."Victoria
MacKay, Balgreen Primary teacher, Edinburgh
"Perfect! They loved it! A
great stimulus! Very creative and just a bit different." Sonja Fair, South Morningside Primary
teacher, Edinburgh
"The tutors have really helped my son
maintain his enthusiasm for school and learning. He has been able to
learn new skills as well as retain existing knowledge from school. His
teachers have commented on how motivated he is to learn." Mr Kerr, parent
"Explore Learning has some great
activities which have stopped me getting bored, I really like the Extreme
Habitats book and the harder maths questions." Grace, aged 8
