Grade 4 online school to Grade 6: Learning independence in the Intermediate Phase
Going from primary years to Grade 4 is a big jump. In traditional schools, this is often where children start changing classrooms for different subjects, the workload grows, and the expectation of independence is higher.
At Teneo, the Intermediate Phase is where we start turning children into "learners." If you’re wondering what the Intermediate Phase looks like at Teneo on a more detailed level, here’s what you can expect:
Grade 4 Online School: The shift in subjects
In the Foundation Phase, lessons we focused on the basics of English and Math. Once the Intermediate phase begins, the word opens up plethora of new subject opportunities to help your child expand their knowledge, and discover new areas of interest.
The Grade 4 curriculum at Teneo School expands into other subjects that allow for a well-rounded academic experience. These include larger subjects like:
Natural sciences & technology: Yes, this includes fun science experiments! And they're safe, at-home friendly activities that your child can do and show the class.
Social sciences: History and Geography.
Life skills: Personal and social well-being.
Grade 4 learners also have the option to choose a language to learn – such as Afrikaans or isiZulu. Additional language subjects are integrated into the curriculum to encourage language development and broaden communication skills.
At this stage in school, the curriculum is focused on building foundational skills in learners, supporting their growth and progression from early grades and beyond. Teneo Online School fully abides by the CAPS-aligned curriculum to ensure quality and official recognition. It also means if your child decides to go to an in-person school after Grade 4 online, Grade 5 online or beyond, they can integrate perfectly into any school. Teneo also offers IEB for the National Senior Certificate Examination.
What is CAPS? The CAPS curriculum is the national curriculum for South African schools, implemented in 2012. The Cambridge International Curriculum is recognized by universities and employers worldwide and sets a global standard for education. Learn more about CAPS.
Teaching digital responsibility in online school
Tech-savviness is beginning earlier and earlier in children's lives. And today, in Grade 4, tech usage increases even more. As an online school, we channel that through not just teaching online, but through teaching a robust digital skillset, and how to operate different technology safely and effectively to equip them for the work skills of the future.
Our digital curriculum encourages learners to explore new ideas, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and subject mastery from an early stage. This is yet another option for learners to find out what they’re good at, what they enjoy, and hone in on different skills. It’s an exciting time, but for many it can be overwhelming. That’s why we attempt to begin with the basics at these still young ages, to get them ready for the next phase of learning: The Senior Phase.
Tech and digital subjects introduced in the Intermediate Stage:
Email etiquette: Learners are instructed on how to send a polite email to a teacher to practise writing skills through a new medium, and learn how to properly begin, structure and end emails.
File management: They learn to save, name, and upload documents correctly for ease of navigation, and to learn digital organisation skills early on.
Cyber safety and respect: We actively teach internet safety skills, how to treat others online with respect, and the gravity of a digital footprint – which is often a lesson that is skipped in traditional schools until after it’s too late.
Research: Instead of copying from a textbook, learners are taught to research topics online, verify sources, and present their findings in slides or document formats.
Homework and projects
Project-based learning becomes key in these grades. Learners are assigned practical tasks and projects that must be completed and submitted for assessment, ensuring active engagement and real-world application of knowledge. Independence is highly encouraged in these stages, so learners can develop initiative in handing in their own assignments.
Parents receive updates or copies of completed tasks, allowing them to track their child's progress and achievements. Having a plan for managing homework and projects is essential at this grade. That's why online schools like Teneo provide structured plans and class timetables to help children stay organised.
The parents’ role changes in tracking progress
At this stage, parents remain the “coach”, but you are off the field.
You don’t need to sit next to them and make sure they are listening and behaving. You just need to make sure they’re up in the morning for class, and check the scoreboard (the Gradebook) to ensure they are keeping up with their assignments.
Parents can easily track their child's progress through digital weekly activity reports and regular updates from teachers, as well as through the Canvas Parent App.
Online school is similar to homeschooling in the sense that it offers a flexible schedule that can be tailored to fit your needs and learning style. It means learning can be paced in a way that allows your child to focus more and re-watch lessons for subjects that they might struggle with. Online schooling can also reduce anxiety by allowing children to learn according to their strengths and at their own pace, which is especially beneficial for neurodiverse learners.
Find out if your child would thrive in an online school environment.
Family involvement is always encouraged, with opportunities for the whole family to participate in the learning process – including fun activities and quiz nights with friends that make education engaging and enjoyable.
The main role at this point is to ensure your child has everything they need to succeed. For example, having the right stationery and supplies, support in positive reinforcement, motivating them to achieve higher grades. And involvement is easy with Teneo.
The advantages of online education
Online education is completely transforming the way of learning we all once knew – making it more flexible, accessible, and tailored to unique, individual needs. With the rise of accredited e-learning platforms, learners can now enjoy a high-quality, nationally recognised primary school education and work towards their National Senior Certificate from the comfort of their own home.
Unlike traditional schooling, online education allows learners to move at their own pace, allowing them to really understand each concept before being forced to move. This is done through offering a mix of pre-recorded lessons, live online classes, and ongoing support from qualified teachers. At Teneo, learners are empowered to thrive in a learning environment that caters to their unique needs.
Online schools use both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) learning methods, and hybrid models are available to accommodate different learning preferences and diverse needs. Whether your child suffers from health issues, requires neurodivergent resources, or you have a travel/rural-based household, Teneo has a learning format for you.
If you’re ready to join our supportive online school community, it’s easy to enrol your child and get started on a personalised educational journey.
Learn with Teneo
Teneo is rated the no. 1 online school in South Africa by HelloPeter. With 170+ SACE-registered teachers, we have helped more than 3 500 learners matriculate with a National Senior Certificate (NSC), opening the doors to tertiary education and future career opportunities. Our award-winning Smart School System™combines the best parts of in-person schooling, with the convenience and benefits of online learning for learners across South Africa. If you’re ready to take the next step towards education of the future, .