The first years in a child’s formal schooling are called the Early Years the LOWER Kindergarten (KG1), and UPPER Kindergarten (KG2). The early years are just what the name suggests: it is a time when attitudes are developed, and future learning depends on the experiences and learning opportunities students have during this important, developmental time in their lives.
Our aim, belief and mission is to give our students the freedom to think and to empower them to be whatever he/she wants to be using the skills they have developed while at school. With age-appropriate activities, conceptual learning and relevant content, we instill in our students the spirit of inquiry which is evident in all our classroom engagements.
Our engaging, challenging and trans-disciplinary curriculum enables us to offer a wide vista of disciplines like swimming, art, drama, and music, which are incorporated within our mainstream learning. Music, art and physical development (both gross and fine motor) are happening in Early Years classrooms all the time, as are literacy, mathematics, role play, and social-emotional learning engagements. The classrooms are set up every morning with different activities so that the students are actively engaged from the minute they step through the door. Centers in the classroom ensure that a variety of activities are available. The staff / student ratio ensures that staff can work in small groups and give students the individual attention they deserve. Parents are welcomed into the EY and communication with parents is seen as being very important.
The team in KG1 works collaboratively to ensure consistency throughout the grade level. KG1 has music and physical education which incorporates music and movement as specialist subjects, although a lot of music and physical movement is happening in the classrooms throughout the day. Students are mainly classroom based. Throughout the week, students will visit the sand pit area, the playroom, and the outside play areas and the library, at least once.
Teachers and Nanny remain with the students at all times and help students eat at snack time. There are two members of staff in each classroom, the HRT (Homeroom Teacher) and Nanny. We strive to not exceed 20 students in each classroom. KG1 begins the day program at 7:30AM and ends by 12:30PM and five days a week Sunday – Thursday.
Students in KG1 are introduced to new materials, concepts and situations in a meaningful, play based way that is interactive and hands on. Students are given the opportunity to explore and express themselves in meaningful ways while developing their own identity and social skills.
The teachers collaborate to ensure some consistency across the grade level and to develop meaningful integrated activities for children to be involved in. Students are encouraged to continue to develop independence and responsibility for their belongings (snack boxes, backpacks etc). They work together in small groups and develop collaboration skills as well as personal social skills. Students are exposed to meaningful literature and given opportunities to interact with letters and sounds as well as stories to develop their communication skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing and presenting). All of these developmental skills are woven into an integrated and play based approach where children are valued and encouraged to develop as creative, curious and confident learners.
The KG2 begins the day program at 7:30 am and ends at 12:30 pm and five days a week Sunday – Thursday. The staff works collaboratively to ensure that some consistency is maintained throughout the grade. KG2 students see specialist teachers for the following subjects:
Language : English and Arabic
Innovative Play (Tinker Time),
PE (Physical Education),
Music, and Technology.
Students in KG2 are introduced to new materials, concepts and situations in a meaningful, play based way that is interactive and hands on. Students are given the opportunity to explore and express themselves in meaningful ways while developing their own identity and social skills.
In KG2 students continue to develop many different approaches to learning and attitudes and deepen their grasp of concepts. Literacy and math are integrated when possible and taught stand alone when necessary. Teachers use the workshop model to teach reading and writing and use hands on fun activities to develop numeracy, data handling, patterning, measurement and mathematical reasoning.
KG2 students will visit the sand pit area, the playroom and the outside play areas, at least once; ensuring that KG2 children still have the Early Years experience.
There are two members of staff in each classroom, the HRT (Homeroom Teacher) and a Nanny. We strive to not exceed 25 students in each class. At Snacks time, the HRT and the Nanny will be with the students in the class for a family-atmosphere sharing and caring.
Cambridge International Primary Programme (CIPP)
The CIPP curriculum of World School is based on the ideas, theories and practices that are prevalent internationally. It is a comprehensive provision for teaching, learning and assessing in the core subjects for children aged between 5 to 15 years.
The Primary programme covers the core subjects of English, Math and Science, developing essential skills in literacy, numeracy and scientific enquiry. Apart from the core subject we also focus and give the same importance to the national Curriculum in Arabic language, Islamic Studies and Social Studies. This programme also covers a good knowledge base, giving students a larger platform for growth and learning. The primary program also include French and Robotics.
As per CIPP, Science framework begins at Stage 3/Grade 3, after the child achieves basic literacy and numeracy skills. To cover subject areas for Social Science like Community Living, Our Environment, and so on, we have developed a unique curriculum called World School Concepts.
World School Concepts is an effective curriculum, which develops knowledge, skills and understanding in three key areas:
• Personal Development
• International Understanding
The goal of World School concepts is to provide a holistic education and develop the skills necessary to prepare our students and prepare them for the challenges of a dynamically changing world.