Canadian International School Curriculum

English Language Arts

Language is central to a child’s development. It is “fundamental to learning, thinking and communicating, and permeates the whole curriculum” (IBO, 2007). Our programme focuses on developing children’s depth of understanding, fluency in communication and mastery of skills. Throughout the day and in all subject areas language literacy skills in Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, Representing and Viewing are incorporated as crucial tools for learning. Children learn to express their ideas, feelings and opinions, to support their thinking with sound arguments and research, and to use the language appropriate for formal and informal situations.

Mathematics

The Mathematics programme enables students to interpret the world around them with the development of strategies, and a body of knowledge, skills and attitudes. Learning Mathematics requires active inquiry that engages students and teachers in answering questions and in solving real life problems. It fosters creativity and imagination in the discovery of patterns of shape and number, the perceiving of relationships, the making of models, the interpretation of data, and the communication of emerging ideas and concepts.

• Mathematical understanding will provide children with a body of knowledge upon which to build and reflect and will include:

  • Number, Algebra, Pattern and Function
  • Measurement
  • Data Handling and Statistics
  • Space and Shape

Social Studies and Science

In the PYP, Social Studies is viewed as the study of people in relation to their past, their present andtheir 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 focus in Science is on “the exploration of the behaviours, and the interrelationships among, the natural, physical and material worlds”. The scientific method is a model of inquiry which is crucial to the development of scientific understanding. CIS students are engaged in a Science process which encourages “hands-on experience and inquiry, and enables the individual to make informed and responsible decisions, not only in Science but also in other areas of life”. (IBO, 2007)

 

Foreign Languages

Every child benefits from having access to different cultures, perspectives and languages. Acquisition of more than one language enriches personal growth and helps facilitate international understanding. (IBO, 2001) English is the language of instruction at the Canadian International School. We also offer both French and Mandarin instruction from the age of four, or additional English support for students still mastering the English language.

Art and Drama

At CIS, the Arts are not mere “add-ons”, but are essential aspects of our curriculum. We recognize that the Visual Arts, Dance, Movement, Drama, and Music offer children multiple forms of literacy with which they may interpret the world and represent their understanding. We enable children to use the Arts to understand concepts and ideas more deeply, and to share their new learning. Our Art and Drama specialists work alongside classroom teachers to cooperatively plan and teach new topics of study, and to integrate the Arts with the PYP Units of Inquiry. Visual Arts instruction includes elements of design, art interpretation, and the development of Art techniques. Drama classes develop children’s skills in verbal and non-verbal expression and include movement, dance, drama forms such as role play and mime, and performance.

 

Music

Our students pursue Music Instruction each week with a specialty teacher. During these classes, students learn the basic elements of music through listening, performaing and creating music.

 

Physical Education

The Physical Education department strives to offer a high quality programme in a safe, fun and challenging environment. The Physical Education staff exercise excellent communication and teaching skills. We nurture each students’ growth and development in the physical, cognitive, and social domains through the scope and sequence of the Primary Years Programme (PYP). Our goal is for students to learn the value of intrinsic motivation to pursue a healthy and active lifestyle in an increasingly changing society.

The Learning Centre - A New Model for Our School Library

The Learning Centre is a changing and dynamic place. It is an integral part of the busy daily life of every CIS student, from the smallest to the oldest student. Everything we do is aimed at meeting the educational needs to students and staff and enriching our PYP (Primary Years Programme) curriculum. We also aim to stimulate interest in literature to meet the recreational reading needs of our learning community, and we encourage independence in literacy. Whether it is for research, borrowing resources, or simply browsing, everyone is welcome in the Learning Centre.

 

Open Minds Programme

CIS students in Grades 1 to 8 have opportunities each year to participate in Open Minds. This is an exciting, innovative programme that moves the classroom into real world settings. At sites like the Singapore Zoo, the museums of Singapore, the Jurong Bird Park, and the Esplanade (a performing arts centre) students work with their teachers and guest experts in exploring the mysteries of these sites. These resource rich environments spark curiosity, provide challenges and offer variety for personal choices of topics of interest – all elements critical to making learning engaging for children.

The Open Minds Programme enhances the inquiry-based learning that is the keystone of the Primary Years Programme. Experiencing the inquiry process in these settings encourages children to take responsibility for their learning and gives them time to focus on the things that matter to them. Children engage in hands-on, minds-on learning which enables them to build on their prior knowledge, and to achieve a deeper level of understanding of their world and of themselves as learners.

T In exciting real world settings children put their observation, questioning and critical thinking skills into action to interpret their experience. Research skills important to this inquiry include:

• Observing
• Describing
• Building Relationships
• Formulating and Testing Hypotheses
• Developing Concepts
• Extending Knowledge
• Journaling, sketching and reflecting are important to the children’s documentation of their learning.

In the Open Minds environment, their skills as writers and artists expand to match the richness of their experiences. Unique, Valuable, Memorable. Open Minds is the ultimate field experience.

 

Information Technology

Students often arrive at school with a great deal of technology “know how” and our task, as teachers, is to help them understand that the computer is a tool for work and learning as well as a source of fun and exploration. Our programme is designed to help students acquire skills and to develop a greater understanding of how to apply those skills in meaningful and relevant ways in their learning.

Our teacher-librarians work closely with teachers in planning Units of Inquiry in the Primary Years Programme. Our focus is on integrating technology and curriculum to support student learning. Information technology is another way to open up the world to a child.

If you have any questions about the curriculum at the Canadian International School , please contact the school at admissions@cis.edu.sg or your child’s homeroom teacher.