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Capacity Matrix

A Capacity Matrix is a tool to describe, document and monitor our learning. It allows us to clearly identify what is it we wish to learn, derived from the curriculum and student interests, and then track learning over time. It can be very effectively used with the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycle and supported with a portfolio that provides evidence of our learning. Capacity Matrices are also used for self-assessment as well as peer assessment.

Our Learning and Improvement Guide: Capacity Matrices provides details of the creation and use of Capacity Matrices.

Templates for you to use to create your own capacity matrices are available here.

Professional Teacher Standards

NSW Professional Teachers Standards (MS Excel 47k)
An example, prepared by QLA, of the New South Wales Professional Teacher Standards expresses as a Capacity Matrix.

Victorian Teacher Standards (MS Excel 40k)
An example of a capacity matrix that has been based on the Victorian Institute of Teachers professional standards. This example was prepared by Cath Temple of the Catholic Education Office in Melbourne, Jenni Turner of Mordialloc College and Jane Kovacs of QLA

Quality Teaching at Gilmore Primary School (MS Word 225k)
This capacity matrix, developed by Sandra Hall and Robyn Strangwards, allows teachers to track their progress and engagement with the NSW Quality Teaching Model.

Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 (K - Year 2)

Kindy (Early Stage 1) Numeracy: Whole Number (MS Word 50k)
An example of provided Donna Gold of Dareton Public School, NSW.

Kindy (Early Stage 1) Numeracy: Multiplication (MS Word 38k)
An example of provided Donna Gold of Dareton Public School, NSW.

Kindy (Early Stage 1) Literacy: Recount (MS Word 30k)
An example of provided Donna Gold of Dareton Public School, NSW.

Prep (Early Stage 1) Computing: WordPad (MS Word 44k)
An example provided by Robyn Roberts of Coburg North Primary School, Victoria.

Reading Early Stage 1 (MS Word 48k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix, based on the NSW curriculum for Early Stage 1. Developed by a team of Armidale Diocesan teachers.

Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4)

Year Three Literacy: Letter Writing (pdf 70k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for Year 3 letter writing, provided by Roxburgh Homestead Primary School, Victoria.

Year Three Literacy: Information Texts (pdf 66k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for Year 3 literacy - writing an information text, provided by Roxburgh Homestead Primary School, Victoria.

Year Three Weather and Erosion (pdf 104k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for Year 3 weathering and erosion - provided by Roxburgh Homestead Primary School, Victoria.

Pen License (MS Word 37k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for a Pen License - provided by Robyn Roberts from Coburg North Primary School, Victoria.

Quality Learner (MS Word 55k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for a Quality Learner - provided by Robyn Roberts from Coburg North Primary School, Victoria.

Topic Talk (MS Word 52k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for speaking - provided by Robyn Roberts from Coburg North Primary School, Victoria.

MS Excel Column Chart 1 of 2 (MS Word 61k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for creating a column chart in Excel (part 1) - provided by Robyn Roberts in Victoria.

MS Excel Column Chart 2 of 2 (MS Word 106k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for creating a column chart in Excel (part 2) - provided by Robyn Roberts in Victoria.

Year 3 Digital Images with a Camera (MS Word 54k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for taking digital photos and using digital images for learning - provided by Robyn Roberts in Victoria.

Year 3 Digital Images using a Scanner (MS Word 264k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for scanning and using digital images for learning - provided by Robyn Roberts in Victoria.

Stage 3 (Years 5 and 6)

Spelling (Early Stage 1 to) Stage 3 (MS Word 113k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for Spelling, based on the NSW curriculum from Early Stage 1 to Stage 3. Developed by a team of Armidale Diocesan teachers.

Talking and Listening Stage 3 (MS Word 48k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix, based on the NSW curriculum from Early Stage 1 to Stage 3. Developed by a team of Armidale Diocesan teachers.

Response Stage 3 (MS Word 48k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix, based on the NSW curriculum for Stage 3. Developed by a team of Armidale Diocesan teachers.

Recount Stage 3 (MS Word 61k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix, based on the NSW curriculum for Stage 3. Developed by a team of Armidale Diocesan teachers.

Procedure Stage 3 (MS Word 49k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix, based on the NSW curriculum for Stage 3. Developed by a team of Armidale Diocesan teachers.

Poetry Stage 3 (MS Word 51k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix, based on the NSW curriculum for Stage 3. Developed by a team of Armidale Diocesan teachers.

Narative Stage 3 (MS Word 69k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix, based on the NSW curriculum for Stage 3. Developed by a team of Armidale Diocesan teachers.

Information Report Stage 3 (MS Word 43k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix, based on the NSW curriculum for Stage 3. Developed by a team of Armidale Diocesan teachers.

Explanation Stage 3 (MS Word 48k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix, based on the NSW curriculum for Stage 3. Developed by a team of Armidale Diocesan teachers.

Exposition Stage 3 (MS Word 47k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix, based on the NSW curriculum for Stage 3. Developed by a team of Armidale Diocesan teachers.

Description Stage 3 (MS Word 45k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix, based on the NSW curriculum for Stage 3. Developed by a team of Armidale Diocesan teachers.

Discussion Stage 3 (MS Word 49k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix, based on the NSW curriculum for Stage 3. Developed by a team of Armidale Diocesan teachers.

Year Five and Six Speaking (MS Word 39k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for Year 5 & 6 speaking - provided by Robyn Roberts from Coburg North Primary School, Victoria.

Year Five and Six Listening (MS Word 39k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for Year 5 & 6 listening - provided by Robyn Roberts from Coburg North Primary School, Victoria.

Year 6 Leaderhip Behaviours (pdf 67k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix developed with year 6 students by Robyn Strangward at Theodore Primary School in Canberra, ACT.

Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8)

High School Science (pdf 31k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for science - provided by Seaford 6-12 School, South Australia.

High School Drama (pdf 32k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for drama - provided by Seaford 6-12 School, South Australia.

Year 7/8 Science: Earth and Space (pdf 83k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for the Earth & Space - developed by Danielle Poole at Seaford 6 - 12 School in South Australia.

Year 7/8 Music (MS Excel 25k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for Year 7/8 Music - developed by Michael Winter at Seaford 6 - 12 School in South Australia.

Year 8 Algebra (MS Word 49k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for Year 8 Paterns and Algebra - developed by Yvette Riley and colleagues at Woodville High School in South Australia.

Year 8 Number (MS Word 48k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for Year 8 Number - developed by Yvette Riley and colleagues at Woodville High School in South Australia.

Year 8 Measurement (MS Word 46k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for Year 8 Measurement - developed by Yvette Riley and colleagues at Woodville High School in South Australia.

Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10)

Year 9 Science: Nervous System (pdf 77k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for the Nervous System - developed by Danielle Poole at Seaford 6 - 12 School in South Australia.

Year 9 Mathematics: Measurement and Geometric Reasoning (MS Word 87k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for the Measurement, Spatial sence and Geometric Reasoning - developed by Richard Maynard at Seaford 6 - 12 School in South Australia.

Year 9 Statistics (MS Word 49k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for Year 9 Statistics - developed by Yvette Riley and colleagues at Woodville High School in South Australia.

Year 9 Agriculture - Vegetables (MS Word 177k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for Year 9 Agriculture, prepared by Leanne Sjollema from McCarthy Catholic College, Tamworth NSW.

Year 8 to 10 English (MS Word 109k)
An example for Year 8 to 10 English developed by Helen Portellos at Woodville High School in South Australia.

Year 10 Drama (MS Excel 25k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for Year 10 Drama - developed by Michael Winter at Seaford 6 - 12 School in South Australia.

Stage 5 (Year 9 and 10) Mathematics: Measurement (part) (MS Word 202k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for NSW Stage 5 Mathematics, parts of the Measurement Strand. Developed by QLA.

Stage 6 (Years 11 and 12)

Year 11 ESL Discussion Essay (MS Word 57k)
An example developed by Stella Emberson of Woodville High School in South Australia: discussion essay for English as a second language students.

Year 12 Music Revision (MS Excel 25k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for Year 12 Music Revision - developed by Michael Winter at Seaford 6 - 12 School in South Australia.

Year 12 HSC Science Skills (MS Excel 31k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for HSC Science Skills, prepared by Regina Menz from O'Connor Catholic College, Armidale NSW.

Year 12 Plant Production (MS Word 80k)
An example of a Capacity Matrix for Year 12 Plant Production, prepared by Leanne Sjollema from McCarthy Catholic College, Tamworth NSW.

Please note, use of these examples by individuals and schools is permitted and encouraged. However, reproduction or use of these materials for commercial purposes constitutes a breach of copyright.

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This page updated 04-Jun-20009