The Curriculum in Early Childhood

Our Educational framework is based on the philosophy of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization.

It is a teaching philosophy which recognizes that children are naturally curious and wish to experiment, explore and make sense of the world around them. It has an emphasis on the growth of children's inquiry, creativity, curiosity and imagination, while the development of basic skills is carefully nurtured.

An outline of our curriculum is listed here:

Language Arts

Language is fundamental to learning and permeates the entire Primary Years Programme and our school curriculum. By learning language as well as learning about and through language, we nurture an appreciation of the richness of language and a love of literature. Language learning is divided into the following areas:

Oral Communication: Speaking and Listening
Students will use oral language for social interaction and to obtain knowledge of people, places and things around them and in the wider community. They learn to communicate needs, feelings and ideas in order to respond to a variety of experiences. One way they do this is by actively participating during “Morning Meeting,” when the exercise of sharing and discussing allows the children a chance to listen attentively to others, respond to others and express their own thoughts. They start to participate appropriately in conversations, ask questions, tell stories and events in sequence. Students will be given daily opportunities to listen and speak in authentic contexts, either independently, in small groups or with the whole class. They use language in imaginative ways and express ideas through role-play and drama activities.

Written Communication: Reading and Writing
Teachers read a vast array of classic and modern stories, poems and fables to the students instilling a love and curiosity of reading. Students are also exposed to stories from a range of cultures. Literature is often linked to the units of inquiry and is followed up by activities. In the beginning years the emphasis is on understanding the meaning of the text. As the students progress to first grade they will begin guided reading in class, which allows them to read in small groups with a teacher as a guide. At this point they will begin to use a variety of strategies in order to decode words effectively. This is an important step and one that requires parental involvement as books will also be sent home.
In the early years, students will experiment with writing and emulating what they see in print. They will progress from scribble or 'pretend writing' to writing letters and words. They will gradually be able to produce recognizable spellings. They work on forming letters of regular size and shape and being attentive to spacing and the correct pencil grip.

Math

In Early Childhood students develop their knowledge and understanding of math through song, play and exploration by using numbers to communicate or describe information relevant to their environment. They learn to count, read and order numbers from 1-100.
They begin to develop a range of mental calculation skills and start to use mathematical vocabulary with confidence.
They learn about shape and space through practical activity, building on their recognition of pattern and symmetry in the world around them.
They use simple symbols to record number facts and start to appreciate place value and measures of mass and time.
Click the following links to view or download a more detailed plan of the mathematics program: Kinder, Prep.

Science and Social Studies

In the PYP, Social Studies is viewed as the study of people in relation to their past, their present and their future, their environment and their society. Social Studies encourages curiosity and develops an understanding of a rapidly changing world. Through Social Studies, students develop an understanding of their personal and cultural identities. Students inquire into and learn about globally significant issues in the Units of Inquiry. Each unit may focus primarily on Social Studies or Science, or may blend the two.

The PYP believes that scientific study at this level is more effective when related to real life and should not be taught as an unrelated set of skills and experiences. This allows students to reflect on their prior knowledge and generate investigations to explain the phenomena that surround them. Through this they also learn to show care and respect for themselves, other living things and the environment.

Physical Education

In Early Childhood P.E. classes we work on body control and spatial awareness, the body’s capacity for movement and how to move around and in between objects and individual skills.
We develop eye, hand, foot coordination using balls, bats, racquets and rope. Whenever possible and appropriate, PE is linked with the school’s programme of inquiry. We aim to create an interest and enjoyment of physical activity whilst developing individual potential and a life-long healthy life style.

Art
The goal of art education is to bring out the creative, expressive and aesthetic potential of each child, and to promote the attitudes, thinking and discipline necessary for all types of learning. In the broadest sense, art education should serve as a catalyst for a lifetime of meaningful, fulfilling and creative experiences, and enhance the very quality of life, enabling our children to continue being learners learning to learn, throughout their life.

The Art department at Ambrit encourages responsiveness to new ideas and respect for individual differences by fostering: respect for oneself and one's own work (self-esteem, and a striving for excellence), respect for others and their work, and respect for other cultures and their art. We strive to provide a challenging, stimulating and supportive environment for creative exploration, observation, experimentation and expression through:
• Open-ended projects that stimulate and encourage individual approaches and solutions
• Exposure to a rich variety of materials (artist's and found), tools, media and approaches to their use
• Training in the systematic and disciplined use and care of materials, tools and equipment as an integral part of the creative experience.
Students develop their creativity and imagination by exploring the visual, tactile and sensory qualities of materials and processes. They learn about the role of art, craft and design in their environment. They begin to understand colour, shape and space and pattern and texture and use them to represent their ideas and feelings.

Please visit the Art homepage and Art blog for more information.

Music

Music is a universal language and an essential part of our society.
The Ambrit music program gives students a working knowledge of music theory and Western musical heritage, and with these tools they are encouraged to develop self expression in composition, creative movement and performance. Active listening and participation foster expressive communication in music, and develop an appreciation for music of all cultures which lasts a lifetime.

Please visit the music homepage for more information.

Personal, Social and Health Education

Personal and social education (PSHE) is concerned with the development of knowledge, attitudes and skills related to personal and social well-being in order to make healthy lifestyle choices. The IB learner profile is integral to teaching and learning PSHE in the PYP because it represents the qualities of
effective learners and internationally minded students. The learner profile, together with the five essential elements of the programme—knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes and action—informs planning,teaching and assessing in PSHE. Including PSHE in an integrated approach to the curriculum guides the students’ learning process in all the disciplines and beyond school. This approach provides opportunities for collective and coordinated implementation that can be communicated, understood and undertaken by the whole school community.

Our Buddy program has always been an important part of our school community and has proved exceptionally successful at creating a supportive and friendly school environment. All classes take part in the program and the older children enjoy working and spending time with their younger buddies.

Library

The Ambrit Libraries are central resources for all students, staff and parents of the school. Our mission is to support the curriculum and assist in all aspects of the teaching and learning process by:
· Encouraging a love of books and reading by providing an attractive and stimulating environment.
· Providing information services for students, not only to supplement and complement classroom learning, but to encourage the development of individual interests.
· Teaching library and information skills throughout the school, to promote effective and independent use of the library.

The majority of the collection is in English but there is a growing collection of books in Italian and other languages.

Information and Communication Technology

Click here to visit the technology web site

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