Curriculum
International School Pointe-Noire
Elementary Curriculum
All experiences are designed to contribute to the growth of the whole child (academic, social- emotional and physical). The academic program recognizes continuums of development and is based on standards and benchmarks which identify the assessed curriculum. At all levels, Art, Music, and Physical Education activities represent developmentally appropriate experiences for the learner. Throughout the levels, technology is used as a tool to support the curriculum.
Pre-Kindergarten
The elements of the program build a foundation for the child’s school experience by developing a positive attitude toward learning, acquiring school social behaviors, increasing proficiency in English, and sparking curiosity about the world. These elements are supported through a half day of activities that stimulate the growth of the ‘whole’ child. Through repeated interactive and hands-on activities, students assimilate new elements into their understanding of the world. Students engage in symbolic thought by representing ideas and events with words, drawings, and dramatic play. They are introduced to literacy and numeracy and observe and explore the cultures represented by their classmates as well as the world around them. Another emphasis is learning how to relate and socialize within a group, as for many this will be among the first opportunities to interact in a group outside the family. Logical thinking and problem solving skills are applied to all areas of the program. The joy in learning discovered in pre-kindergarten is carried forward.
Kindergarten
An integrated approach is used to teach the subjects of Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, and Physical Education. Topics are related to students’ lives and help them discover relationships. Language Arts consists of reading, writing, speaking, and listening and are supported with a print-rich environment. Students make associations between letters and sounds and begin to decode and encode simple words and phrases. The writing process and standards of the six traits of writing are introduced. Mathematics focuses on building a strong understanding of number and problem solving. Key concepts include number sense through thirty, calendar time, basic shapes, creation and extension of patterns, and sorting and classifying. The thinking behind demonstrated strategies is modeled and articulated. The Science program is based on knowledge and inquiry. Topics studied relate to understanding the natural world. In Social Studies students learn about their relationship to each other, the classroom, school, home, and family. The concept of chronology is developed by distinguishing among past, present, and future events.
Grade One
Language Arts addresses the skills of comprehension, writing, spelling, phonics, fluency, listening, and speaking through a literature-based approach. Students learn to use different strategies to read new words, develop vocabulary, build comprehension, and understand the structure of a story. Units of study address authors, punctuation, revision and conferencing, poetry, bookmaking, illustrating, and non- fiction work. In mathematics, students learn concepts by using manipulative materials to solve meaningful problems. Students explore problems in depth to find more than one solution and express their thinking through drawing, writing, and speaking. Key concepts include number sense through 100, single-digit addition and subtraction, time, non-standard measurement, collection and display of data, and further work with patterns. Life, physical, and earth sciences are studied to discover and explore the world. Students are engaged in conducting experiments, recording and interpreting data, completing projects, engaging in discussions, and reading non- fiction sources. In Social Studies students learn to appreciate ethnic and cultural diversity, their relationship to the community, essential human needs and how they are met, and basic geographical terms and concepts.
Grade Two
Language Arts study creates opportunities to apply previously learned skills to more sophisticated material: enriched vocabulary, multi-syllable words, expanded genre and chapter books. Using the writing process, students learn to brainstorm topics, prepare drafts, revise, edit, and publish their work. In Mathematics, key concepts include number sense through 1000, addition and subtraction of multi-digit number including regrouping, symmetry and congruence, pictographs, probability experiments, equations, length, time, and solving authentic problems. Students continue to be required to express their mathematical thinking. Science topics include the structure of matter, force as demonstrated through magnets, the diversity and unity that characterize life, and how species depend upon one another. Social Studies focuses on people and places. The relationship between the physical environment and human activity is introduced, as are the concepts of consumers and producers.
Grade Three
Students learn to become strategic readers by identifying the elements of literature. Focus is placed on expanding vocabulary, reading fluency, and comprehension. Through multiple instructional strategies, students are encouraged to investigate the imaginative and interpretive aspects of reading and writing and become independent readers. Through the presentation of reports and journal writing, students learn to write and speak for specific purposes. In Math, the focus is on number sense through 10,000, multiplication and division, capacity and mass, coordinate grids, circle graphs, extending patterns, variables, geometry, mastery of basic facts, and problem solving. Scientific knowledge and process are studied through energy types, sources and their relationship to heat and temperature; the principles of motion; the human body; and the solar system. The focus in Social Studies is world communities: important customs, symbols, celebrations that represent national beliefs, and functions of governments.
Grade Four
Language Arts skills and strategies are introduced and practiced within the context of literature. Students extend their skills in reading for pleasure and for information. The writing process is utilized as students pre-write, draft, revise, proofread, and publish a variety of genre. In Math, the key concepts include number sense .01 through 100,000, multiplication and division of multi-digit numbers, perimeter and area, transformations, line graphs, variables in number sentences, proportional reasoning, problem solving, and median- mean- mode. Students are challenged to think scientifically in a variety of ways about forces, properties of matter, environmental issues, and Earth processes. Social Studies focuses on regions of the world and geography.
Grade Five
In this final year at the elementary level, the focus of language arts is reading to learn. The skills and strategies of an effective reader are stressed. Writing instruction focuses on developing competence in communicating in a variety of forms. The traits of good writing are stressed. Speaking and listening skills focus on sharing and justifying opinions, responding to group members, and making effective oral presentations. Key concepts in math include number sense .001 through one million, addition and subtraction of non-negative rational numbers, properties of plane figures, bar graphs and stem- and- leaf plots, rates of change, simple equations and inequalities, and problem solving. Students further develop their understanding of the nature of scientific knowledge and inquiry through the study of electricity, electromagnetism, scientific classification, cell structure, and Earth’s atmosphere. The emphasis in Social Studies is ancient civilizations.
Grade Six
During this year the emphasis on reading to learn skills continues and focuses on generalizing beyond the text to other texts, ideas, and situations. Students examine text through analyzing the author’s purpose, persuasive techniques, and validity of information. Significant importance is placed on providing evidence for stated conclusions. A variety of text is selected for research and real life purposes/ interests. In the effort to hone their writing skill, students analyze the works of effective writers and articulate the qualities that make them effective. Key concepts in math include an understanding of simple algebraic expressions; probabilities; properties and relationships of geometric figures; number sense for negative rational numbers, percents, exponential notation, prime factorization; and flexible problem solving. Student continue to apply scientific methods to problems under study and in social studies examine people, places, cultures, and environments at local, regional, and international levels.
