The Primary School curriculum at Inventure Academy is fuelled by the natural curiosity that children exhibit at this age. Children share ideas and experiences, and develop a sense of community and discipline through interactions with nature, people, objects and the environment. They explore and investigate, consolidate and connect what they learn, ponder over and question it, and then demonstrate their learning in multiple ways. Teachers have many roles too: they are facilitators, learners, guides and mentors.
The classrooms and bulletin boards in school reflect the energy generated at this stage by the students. The displays are an explosion of ideas, creativity and pride, illustrating discoveries in languages, math and science. Insights into concepts are expressed using dance, theatre and movement as well. Each class sets its own rules for expected behavior, guided by a school-wide discipline policy. Responsibilities and expectations are clearly defined by the students themselves.
The Primary School Programme
At the primary level, we follow an Integrated Thematic Curriculum based on NCERT (National Council of Education Research and Training) through both ICSE, and CIE guidelines for Grades 1 – 5.
Curricular Practices in Primary School
- Integrated teaching through Themes and Projects: Our integrated curriculum views learning and teaching in a holistic way (rather than as compartmentalized subjects) through meaningful themes and projects that reflect the wider world. This approach prepares children to take responsibility for their own learning and become lifelong learners. It also facilitates a sharing of ideas, and a strong sense of community because student activities are done in collaborative ways.
- Curriculum based on age-specific learning goals.
- Differentiated learning: Learning plans that cater to at least three levels of learners in a class.
- Small group instruction.
- Individual learning plans: For Special Education Needs students.
- Learning centers: Working towards self-paced learning.
- Presentations at the end of themes and projects.
- Assessments: Relevant, formative and continuous, they are based on observations, projects, activities, worksheets, research and presentations, and weekly reviews – linked to learning experiences.
- Summative reviews: To check for end of unit understanding
- Special activity weeks: Including visual and performing arts, literary activities, math, and science activities.
- Accelerated learning reading programmes for Math and English.
- Reading enrichment programme.
- ESL (English as Second Language) programme.
- Circle Time.
- Extended learning opportunities in the form of field trips and workshops.
- Vertical learning groups: During our foundation programme, ‘Inventuring‘,
students across grades work on activities together, enabling younger ones to learn from their seniors, and the older ones to learn soft skills like leadership, teaching, patience and understanding.
- Technology integration.
- Teacher student ratio of 1:8 (2010-11)
- Weekly student-led assemblies.
- Beyond Academics: Co-Curricular activities.