IPC Curriculum Guide 2011-12 Years 1-6 (Kindergarten - Grade 5)
British School of Washington
International Primary Curriculum (IPC) - Years 1 - 6
Introduction The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) underpins all the learning at the British School of Washington. It is a challenging curriculum focused explicitly on developing children’s learning. Its structure is based on subject; personal and internationally-minded learning goals. These unique units of work help children acquire knowledge, skills and understanding in active, exciting and involved classroom environments. At the very heart of the IPC are clearly defined learning goals for all subjects taught at the Primary level. There are learning goals for children's personal development and international understanding. These are available at your request. For Literacy and Mathematics, the UK National Strategies guide the learning in both lower and upper primary school. Through these goals our aim is to ensure that at BSW, pupils develop skills that enable them to become independent and lifelong learners.
Lower Primary Curriculum - Years 1 & 2 (Kindergarten and Grade 1)
In the Lower Primary school, children build on the skills acquired in Nursery and Reception through new themes and challenges. Children are also taught separate Mathematics and Literacy lessons which are linked to the IPC topics when appropriate. The IPC is designed to help children: Learn the essential knowledge, skills and understanding of a broad range of curriculum subjects. Engage with their learning so that they remain committed to learning throughout their school careers and their lives. Develop the personal qualities they need to be good citizens and to respond to the changing contexts of their future lives. Develop a sense of their own nationality and culture at the same time as developing a profound respect for the nationalities and cultures of others. Learning is divided into four areas: Independence and Interdependence Communicating Exploring Healthy Living 1
The IPC topics covered in the Lower Primary School are as follows: Autumn Year 1
Year 2
Senses
Celebrations
Spring Dressing Up
The world of our senses Time detectives
The stories People Tell
Structures
Summer Food
Transport
We are What we eat
Getting Around
Living Things
Circus
Holidays
I’m Alive
Myths Legends and Fables
Art and Music Children are taught Art and Music by specialist teachers. Children receive 50 minutes each week per subject. Music classes involve singing as well as developing coordination skills through the use of rhythm and percussion instruments. Art classes focus on developing basic drawing skills and introduce a range of mediums and a variety of techniques. It also allows students to explore a variety of artists worldwide.
Languages Children will receive taster lessons in Spanish or French from their class teacher. Languages will be introduced through songs, stories and games. Year 1 - Spanish Year 2 - French
Homework Children take home reading books each day. In addition children will receive one or two pieces of homework a week focused on Literacy, Mathematics or IPC linked to the objectives covered during this period.
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Upper Primary Curriculum – Years 3 – 6 (Grades 2 -5)
The Upper Primary School curriculum includes: International Primary Curriculum (IPC) Literacy Mathematics Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Physical Education (PE) Languages (French or Spanish) Latin (Year Six) Art Music In every subject, the IPC provides new themes and challenges through clearly-defined learning goals and standards. Through each topic, there is an appropriate balance between knowledge, skills and reflection, leading to understanding. The curriculum is designed to support each child to develop as an independent learner. Learning is divided into four areas: Independence and Interdependence Communicating Exploring Healthy Living The IPC topics covered in the Upper Primary School are as follows: Autumn Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6
Inventions and Machinery
Brain storm
Spring
Summer
Chocolate or Rainforests
Health and Fitness
Earthquakes and Money and Trade Survival- What’s on Olympic games or Volcanoes the menu Fashion The Active Planet Making the The Physical Earth and Fit for life Rulers and Governments news World Space Brainstorm Making New Materials Weather and Science
Weather and Science
Growing Up
Location- the Holiday show 3
Literacy Literacy learning is divided into three areas: Reading Writing Speaking and Listening Reading focuses on developing pupil’s comprehension skills and extending an awareness of fiction and nonfiction genres. Pupils have opportunities to develop reading skills independently, in groups and as a whole class, with the aim of promoting enthusiasm and confidence when reading for pleasure and purpose. Pupils are given the opportunity to explore the features of fiction and non-fiction to support writing for purpose. Cursive handwriting is taught from Year 2 and when the pupils are forming their letters correctly. Speaking and listening activities enable pupils to express meaning clearly and accurately. The use of role-play and drama supports pupils’ language development, helping them to tailor speech for audience and purpose.
Mathematics We provide pupils with a wide range of mathematical experiences which include problem solving, strategies for mental calculations and a range of formal and informal written methods. Through a spiral curriculum, pupils are given the opportunity to explore shape and space, measures, data handling as well as investigating numbers.
Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) ICT lessons support pupils in researching, storing and sharing information. Presentation and publishing skills are developed through cross-curricular links as opportunities arise in other areas of the curriculum.
Specialist Lessons Art, Music, PE and Languages are taught by specialist teachers. Pupils will receive one session of both Music and Art and two sessions of PE and Languages a week.
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Art Art encourages the development of creativity and imagination and builds on skills to improve pupils’ control of materials, tools and techniques. Through the IPC pupils explore a range of Artists from a variety of cultures and explore techniques and materials to produce their own pieces.
Music In Music, pupils participate in a range of musical activities that integrate composing, performing and appraising. Pupils have the opportunity to work both individually and as part of a group and explore a range of live and recorded music from different times and cultures.
Languages Pupils are given the option to study either French or Spanish. They are introduced to basic skills which provide a strong foundation for core language learning in preparation for further progress in the secondary school and beyond.
Physical Education (P.E) The six areas of learning covered in P.E are: Dance Games Gymnastics Swimming Athletics Outdoor and Adventurous activities
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Pupils learn the importance of an active lifestyle and a healthy mind and body. Fundamental skills are developed across the areas of learning and pupils are taught to apply these to a range of sporting situations.
Autumn Autumn 1
Autumn 2
Spring
Summer
Spring 1
Spring 2
Summer 1
Summer 2
Swimming
Fitness
Track & Field
Track & Field
Striking & Fielding
Year 3
Multi Skills
Year 4
Soccer Hockey Rugby
Swimming
Fitness
Track & Field
Gym
Track & Field
Striking & Fielding
Year 5
Soccer Hockey Rugby
Swimming
Fitness
Track & Field
Gym
Basketball
Striking & Fielding
Year 6
Soccer Hockey Rugby
Swimming
Fitness
Track & Field
Gym
Basketball
Striking & Fielding
Games
Educational Excursions Throughout the primary school, educational visits and excursions are organised to reinforce and enhance learning in the classroom. Classes take trips approximately once every half term. Typical examples of these are, visits to the zoo, the Fire Station, and a Pumpkin Patch in the Lower Primary school and trips to Mount Vernon, the National Gallery of Art and The Library of Congress. In addition to trips and excursions, the pupils in the Upper Primary school have the opportunity to participate in a residential trip to the Sheridan School Mountain Campus in the Shenandoah Mountains. During their stay, pupils have the opportunity to participate in a number of outdoor activities and enjoy team building and group based challenges in a stimulating and picturesque setting.
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Homework Pupils are expected to read for 20-30 minutes each evening. Each week they will receive one piece of homework for Literacy and Mathematics. They will also receive one piece of homework that focuses on their IPC or Science topic and an additional piece from their language teacher. Pupils are provided with a homework diary in which they record all assignments.
English as an additional language The language of instruction at BSW is English. At the Nursery and Reception level, children are able to learn English through structured play and interaction with children and adults in the classroom setting. In order to access the curriculum in the Lower and Upper Primary School, children must have a basic understanding of the English language.
Learning support The school has no special provision for applicants with significant learning needs but is able to offer support for those with minor learning needs. Securing a place may be dependent upon a short term review or parents agreeing to enhance and support the education of the child in question with outside agencies and resources.
Able and talented We aim to identify pupils who excel in all areas of the curriculum or who have a talent in a particular area. Once identified, individual targets are set to ensure that level of work is challenging, engaging and that there is supportive and simulating environment.
Sharing Learning Throughout the year there will be opportunities for the children to share their learning with parents in class assemblies and at the end of a topic or unit.
Learning review conferences An opportunity to discuss a child’s progress is made available once a term at a Learning Review Conference. Parents are invited to schedule an appointment with their classroom teacher at this time.
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Reports Reports Parents will receive four reports a year which will consist of two full written reports and two learning review reports, which outline key skills pupils have achieved and identify the English National Curriculum attainment levels for Maths, Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening and Science.
Report Guidelines How to make sense of National Curriculum Levels and Sub-levels: Each subject in the National Curriculum in England has several ‘Attainment Targets’. An attainment target sets out the knowledge, skills and understanding that pupils of different abilities and levels of maturity are expected to have by the end of each key stage. For example, ‘Writing’ or ‘Reading’ in English and ‘Scientific Enquiry’ in Science. At the end of Key Stage 1(Year 2) most children are expected to achieve ‘level 2’; however some children will not reach this level and some children will achieve a ‘level 3’. By the end of their primary education (Year 6) most children are expected to achieve ‘level 4’; however some children will not reach this level and some will reach ‘level 5’.
We also divide the National Curriculum levels further into a, b and c ‘sublevels’ to help track progress: a = working at the top of the level b = working solidly at that level c = just working at the level By using sub levels we are able to show progress during the course of a year, for example from Level 3c to Level 3a. Each subject has detailed descriptions of the levels, which help teachers to clearly identify the level a pupil is working at. Please remember that children learn at different speeds and in different ways.
The broad expectations correspond to these levels: Year 1: level 1, and start on level 2 Year 2: consolidation of level 2, and start on level 3 Year 3: revision of level 2, but mainly level 3 Year 4: consolidation of level 3, and start on level 4 Year 5: revision of level 3, but mainly level 4 Year 6: consolidation of level 4, and start on level 5 8
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2001 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20007 Phone: 202.829.3700 Fax: 202.829.6522 www.britishschoolofwashington.org
International 25 Buckingham Gate London, SW1E 6LD, United Kingdom www.wclgroup.com North America 4211 Watonga Blvd. Houston, Texas 77092 Phone: 713.290.9041 www.wclgroup.com m.harter@wclgroup.com