The Primary School syllabus at St. Peter's International School is distinguished by its specificity and program requirements, as well as the curricular organization (multi curriculum, inter- and transdisciplinary). Thus, there is personalized teaching in different subject areas, which translates into an individual or small group approach, according to the specific characteristics of students.
This set of principles is based on the practice of effective education that reveals, in addition to the cognitive aspect, a connection to the ethical, aesthetic and emotional aspects of learning, taking as a guideline the constancy of a permanent and systematic joint efforts to include values and affections.
Portuguese – in this area there are four areas of reference, namely: Speaking, Reading and Writing, Literature and Grammar, through the systematization units, grammatical rules and processes of the Portuguese language, making a sustainable use of the Portuguese standard in terms of speaking, reading and writing. This area also includes the Children's Literature subject (which includes several of the works of the National Reading Plan) and Creative Writing.
English - The school aims to help students become fluent in English. In Primary School, the English teaching program and the Anglo-Saxon culture is designed to enable a link between learning a foreign language, and the remaining constituent areas of the curriculum. Thus, in Primary School students learn this second language, in spoken and written form, as well as the subject of Social Studies where they are taught content related to the natural and social environment. Throughout the years several English literature works are also discussed, according to the reader acuity of students.
Mathematics - In this area, in addition to content areas recommended by the Mathematics program of the Ministry of Education, namely: Numbers and Measures, Geometry and Measurement and Organization and Data Processing, in Primary School the Experimental Mathematics subject was introduced, divided in two stages: Chess and Experimental Activities.
Chess was introduced as part of Mathematics in order to stimulate attention, concentration, memory, logic and reasoning. This is also a supports student motivation against the strategic challenge as chess facilitates understanding of other subjects.
The experimental activities play an essentially practical role and support more abstract mathematical concepts through the development of the hypothetical-deductive reasoning and acquiring proficiency in communication and mathematical reasoning. These activities are an added value in the learning process, to the extent that they allow students to make connections between learned mathematical concepts and understand that mathematics consists of a complex network of relationships that give it a very particular unit.
Social Studies - This area allows for a systematic introduction to the scientific knowledge fields that allow students to analyse, interpret and understand the reality of the natural and social world.
In grades 3 and 4, this area is divided in the subjects of History, Science, Geography and Social Studies. These seek not only to promote the acquisition of concepts and specific content, but also the development of observation and experimentation methods, widening the spectrum of each of them in the syllabus set by the Ministry of Education for Primary School.
'... The experimental teaching of science in the early years of education can make a decisive contribution to the promotion of scientific literacy, enhancing the development of skills necessary for the exercise of an intervening and informed citizen and to insert a qualified professional life.'
In DGIDC; Programa de Formação em Ensino Experimental das Ciências no 1.º ciclo.
Information technology – The implementation of information Technology in Primary School aims to the apply concepts inherent to information and communication technologies (ICT). The logic of interdisciplinarity in this subject, enhances the articulation of the content covered in class, favours the acquisition of work habits and simultaneously consolidates the technological knowledge.
Physical Education Motor Skills - Through this subject, the Department of Physical Education and Sport proposes to contribute to the individual resilience of our students, assuming the practice of physical activity as a key element to an eclectic and harmonious development. Various situations of controlled confrontation, interaction (cooperation and opposition), are organised, promoting team spirit and maintaining motor, cognitive and affective relationship areas.
Music - The development of musical abilities in all children, in a perspective of the overall development of the innate capacity of the human being, is the main objective of musical education in Primary School. Through this subject, students develop their creative potential, understand the functions of music in their community and the world and understand music as a form of emotional communication.
Art – This subject is embedded in our syllabus as a means of providing each child not only an opportunity to observe and manipulate matter creatively, but also to see the outside world with their particular vision or medium, with the permanent acquisition of notions and the need to share their emotional state with others. At the same time, Art becomes a very good way of initiating basic learning skills: reading and writing. It is through drawing, painting and modelling that child better accesses the graphic symbol for its understanding and use.
Drama - Through the interpretation of dramatic games in the exploration of imaginary situations, it is intended, essentially, that children experience through different environments, express their sensitivity and develop their imagination. These activities result in dramatic performances that are presented to the school community in the various events held during the school year, including Family Day, Halloween, Carnival, the Christmas Plays, etc.
Latin - Language and Culture - Under Decree-Law No. 139/2012, of July 5, amended by Decree-Law No. 91/2013 of 10 July, whose principal objective was the cultural and linguistic development, with particular emphasis on the deeper knowledge of the mother tongue and its roots, with the integration of Latin as part of the curricular provision is of key importance to the education of children or the intrinsic value of knowledge that adds either the function of this knowledge in learning fundamental values of the Portuguese language and other subjects. In Primary School, Project 'Pi' focuses on theatrical expression of the classic theme and on other activities that promote, in a transversal way, education for citizenship and the information and communication technologies.
Back to Website