The Primary School Curriculum

Our educational framework is based on the philosophy of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization. At Ambrit we aim to enable students to become life-long learners and to equip them with the academic and life skills to take them into the rapidly changing global world they are growing up in as responsible citizens. The PYP provides an opportunity for learners to construct meaning, principally through concept-driven inquiry. Traditional academic subjects are part of the program but are encouraged in a transdisciplinary program of inquiry that emphasises the interrelatedness of knowledge and skills. The most important premise of the PYP is that children learn through their own curiosity – and that it is the school’s responsibility to encourage them to be curious, to ask questions and to explore ways of finding the answers to their questions. This is called Inquiry Based Learning, and it shapes our entire program.

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 learn to speak in a range of contexts, adapting their speech for a range of purposes and audiences. They learn to identify the gist of an account or key points in a discussion and evaluate what they hear. Student are always encouraged to ask relevant questions and make contributions to class discussions. Drama is an important part of our program and the Primary school participates in an annual Drama festival which allows the students to perform and act in front of an audience. Role-play is seen as an important and effective method towards language acquisition and training.

Written Communication: Reading and Writing
Primary students have access to a vast range of literature in the form of classic and modern stories, poetry, texts from other cultures and traditions as well as an array of myths, legends and play scripts. The literature explored is frequently connected to the units of inquiry. All classrooms have a selection of fiction and non-fiction titles and the library provides each grade level with books and media resources that help support the units and program of studies. Our primary school students learn to read with fluency, accuracy and understanding. They begin to scan texts for information and also obtain specific information through detailed reading. They can identify how character and setting are created and how plot, narrative structure and themes are developed.
Writing is a significant activity in the PYP and requires students to use the writing process to acquire the skills necessary to produce written products for a variety of purposes. Over time students broaden their vocabulary and learn the rules and conventions of the English language.

Click the following links to view or download a more detailed plan of the Language Arts program: Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5

Math

During the Primary School years students become aware of mathematical activity in distinct areas: the number system; numerical operations; data handling; measurement; shape and space.
Wherever possible the last three of these categories are incorporated into the transdisciplinary Programme of Inquiry studied throughout the year in order to emphasize the relevance of mathematical modeling or representation.
One hour, every day, is spent on mathematical activities, either through integrated study or the ‘stand alone’ numeracy skills following the curriculum program generated by the text-book series ‘Collins Primary Maths’.
Students are encouraged to develop their oral skills by learning specific mathematical vocabulary and having the opportunity to explain their work to their peers. They now become aware of concepts or theorems which evolve from different areas of study.

Click the following links to view or download a more detailed plan of the mathematics program: Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5

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.

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 throughout their life, Learners Learning to Learn.

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.

Physical Education

Physical education helps build links with parents and community.
In Primary and Middle school we introduce students to games which include volleyball, basketball, American football, badminton, handball, and tennis. The students will learn athletics activities which combine movements to create sequence and refine gymnastic skills, as well as adventure challenges which help students solve problems and accomplish common goals.

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 PSE 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.

In Primary, the counselor works directly with students offering mini workshop sessions during the school day in different grade levels. This year, students in grades three and four will participate in short 15 minutes sessions on conflict resolution and grade five students will gain awareness of bullying issues through a series of mini workshops.

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 Library Programme has two components at the Primary level, an information skills programme and literature appreciation.
The information skills programme teaches students in Grades 2-5 to use a variety of research tools in the library including the electronic catalogue, encyclopedias, almanacs, atlases, dictionaries and other reference sources to explore individual interests as well as prepare for class assignments. The programme is spiral in nature, with more challenging material added each year. Literature appreciation is also an important part of the programme. Primary students are exposed to different genres of fiction, including work by authors from other cultures. They learn how to make good choices for their own reading material and regularly participate in author discussions and student led book talks. In weekly classes, the overall goal is to encourage a love of reading and the effective use of nonfiction materials, enabling students to approach research confidently. Primary students have a scheduled library lesson once a week, but are encouraged to visit the library before and after school, as well as during their breaks. 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

To this end, ICT at Ambrit is treated as a means of achieving a desired result rather than as a subject whose skills are taught in isolation. Therefore, Technology lessons are based upon a curriculum subject area, the lessons being the result of close collaboration between the class or subject teacher and the ICT team.

The technology curriculum endeavors to empower students with the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding of ICT in a modern world through integrated use of up to date, industry standard programs and teaching methods.

Students have ICT lessons once a week, but can also book additional time to work on special projects. The school also has SMART interactive whiteboards in every classroom. These boards add a dynamic, interactive dimension to teaching and learning, allowing students to present work to their peers, and the teacher to give interactive lessons. Each board also doubles up as an audio-visual station, enabling teachers to show films, documentaries and listen to music.

Click here for the ICT Scope & Sequence Document (gr1-5)
Click here to visit the technology web site

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