Primary school children will learn to read on Google
Children will be taught to read using internet search engines such as Google and Yahoo in the first few years of school, it is announced on Thursday. They will be encouraged to put "keywords" into websites to navigate online articles and blogs as digital media is given similar prominence to textbooks and novels. Pupils in English primary schools will learn to write with keyboards, use spell-checkers and insert internet "hyperlinks" into text before their 11th birthday under the most significant reform of timetables since the National Curriculum was introduced in 1988. The review by Sir Jim Rose, former head of inspections at Ofsted, also recommends the use of Google Earth in geography lessons, speadsheets to calculate budgets in maths, online archives to research local history and video conferencing software for joint language lessons with schools overseas. His report, which will be accepted in full by ministers, also proposes more IT training for teachers to keep them ahead of "computer savvy pupils". It will stop the creation of a "digital underclass" amid fears poor pupils lose out as those from affluent homes are bought the latest gadgets, it adds. The proposals have been criticised by the Conservatives who accused the Government of “giving in to the latest fads”. Sir Jim was appointed by ministers amid fears the primary curriculum - taught to at least 3.6 million children - was too "cluttered". It recommends axing traditional subject headings and grouping timetables into six broad "areas of learning". Key features are expected to include an emphasis on competitive sport at all ages, including activities in which "children have to outwit opponents", and a requirement that all pupils can swim 25 metres by the age of 11. More "outdoor challenges" such as orienteering, canoeing and camping should also be provided following claims children are being denied the chance to take risks because of the health and safety culture. The curriculum also includes: *Lessons on how to speak proper English in formal situations and show "respect in conversation", including using hand gestures and making eye contact *Compulsory foreign languages for all pupils aged seven to 11 *A study of the Romans, War of the Roses, Industrial Revolution and the world wars in history, even though an earlier draft of Sir Jim's report suggested dropping key dates to allow schools to decide which two periods of British history to teach *Sex and relationships education at all ages, including learning about body parts from five, puberty from seven and human reproduction from nine. A draft version of Sir Jim's report also appears to make a renewed emphasis on "lifestyle" classes across the curriculum, despite fears lessons risk being hijacked by political correctness. New-style lessons in "historical, geographical and social understanding" - one of the six learning areas - includes a focus on sustainability, climate change, recycling, human rights and a requirement to learn about the role of local authority councillors and MPs. It comes as a study by Policy Exchange, the think-tank, claims up to £2bn has been wasted by Labour in the last decade attempting to improve children's grasp of the basics in primary schools. Anna Fazackerley, head of the think-tank's education unit, said progress in the three-Rs was quicker before its flagship literacy and numeracy strategies were introduced in 1999 and 2000. She added: "Only 56 per cent of the boys and 66 per cent of the girls who left primary school in 2008 could read, write and count to the minimum standard. Even with lower pass marks, easier tests, widespread 'teaching to the test' and millions of pounds spent on consultants and advisors, our literacy and numeracy standards are woefully behind that of other countries." Nick Gibb, the Conservative shadow schools minister, said: "Ministers need to make sure that the new primary curriculum is rigorous and protects proper subject teaching. The suggestion of merging proper history and geography lessons into vague 'themed learning' would take primary education in the wrong direction. Ministers must resist the temptation to give in to the latest fads, all of which will mean a weaker education for children." Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, said: "It's a complete nonsense to suggest that it's an either-or choice between learning history and geography on the one hand; and learning about personal skills and well being on the other. Children should learn both because that is the best way to raise standards for all. "Sir Jim's review will give primary heads and teachers more freedom to decide what to teach and how so children enjoy learning and make good progress. "Children must be secure in English and maths and have good communication skills and learn these essential life skills if they're going to succeed and that is central to the Rose recommendations."Computing skills will be put on an equal footing with literacy and numeracy in the biggest overhaul of primary education for more than 20 years.
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