AIS | Prospectus 23-24 | PYP Enrichment Program

Ahmedabad International School

Prospectus 2023-24

PYP Enrichment Program

Fall in love with learning

Dear parents,

AIS was started 22 years ago as the second IB school in the country. The school was

founded with the belief that self-learning leads to lifelong learning. We’ve spent each

day of the last 22 years trying to build a school community that inculcates a love for

learning, fosters social and emotional acuity, develops responsible global citizens, and

builds a strong academic foundation. I thank you for being a part of this journey!

For the last 2 years, we’ve been working on reimagining our learning program from the

Learning in the PYP

ground up. We’ve looked within and looked beyond to define who we are and who we

enrichment program

want to be. We’ve asked ourselves hard questions about what future-ready learning

will build a strong

means and how we can make our classrooms more engaging and challenging.

academic foundation After spending hundreds of days researching, planning, learning, and organizing, I am

through hands-on, proud to present our PYP enrichment program. The PYP enrichment program is

constructivist, designed to build a strong academic foundation through hands-on, constructivist,

inquiry-based inquiry-based learning. As part of the program, children will get an opportunity to apply

learning. their learnings across disciplines to real-world contexts.

The three fundamental beliefs of the PYP enrichment program are:

Children learn best when they make connections between the new knowledge they

are acquiring and their prior understandings

Children need a wide range of rich experiences and learning opportunities to figure

out what they love most

Children fall in love with learning when it is hands-on and connected to the real-world

With these focus areas in mind, we’re taking the first step towards enriching our PYP

program by adding offerings across:

Reading

Hands-on math

Coding, robotics, & design thinking

Foreign languages

Visual arts

Dance

Theatre

Music

Sports

In this prospectus, we introduce you to key highlights of our enrichment program.

We invite you to discover how children will fall in love with learning, discover their

talents and passions, and become future-ready for middle school and beyond.

Warm

Regards

Gorsi Parekh

Managing Trustee

Overview of the PYP E

Enhanced reading Introducing Fountas & Pinnell’s pathbreaking Benchmark Assessment System (BAS) and the Guided Reading Program

Applied math Making math hands-on and conceptual with a dedicated math lab equipped with physical manipulatives and digital resources

Coding, robotics, and design thinking Kickstarting our new state-of-the-art Maker Space with a rigorous focus on coding skills, robotics, and design thinking

Foreign languages Introducing French and Spanish right from the primary years to build a strong foundation for success in IGCSE and IBDP

Sports Launching a host of new sports and play spaces along with a structured curriculum focused on basketball, volleyball, cricket, and football

Enrichment Program

Visual arts Launching our Visual Arts Studio where children will focus on art-making techniques and the creative process

Dance Partnering with Shiamak Davar Institute of Performing Arts (SDIPA) to provide our children with the opportunity to learn diverse dance styles

Theatre Partnering with Rangbhumi, a leading theatre group, to give our children exposure to a wide range of theatre practices

Music Establishing a strong music program in collaboration with the Shankar Mahadevan Academy

In the following pages, we have elaborated on each aspect of the PYP Enrichment Program in a lot more depth

Enhanced reading program Why Reading is a foundational skill for acquiring any other skill or knowledge if you’re a proficient and passionate reader then you’re a lifelong learner.

In these times of ChatGPT, we want to make sure our students are critical thinkers and skilful readers, mindfully understanding and questioning the information they come across.

What and how To develop readers who can expertly navigate all genres and formats of text, we have designed the enhanced reading program with three key components: Fountas & Pinnell’s Benchmark Assessment Systems (BAS) and Guided Reading Program BAS - one-on-one assessment to determine each learner’s independent reading leve Guided reading - small-group instruction program with a focus on reading challenging texts and levelling up on your BAS assessment

Our new state-of-the-art library with 10,000+ books for children to curl up with Sustained silent reading blocks to provide periods of uninterrupted interest-based reading time As part of our enhanced

Enhanced reading program in action

reading program, children will spend around four blocks

Our enhanced reading program is built on the extensive work of Irene

every week immersed in

Fountas & Gay Su Pinnell. Our goal is to raise every child’s independent

honing their reading skills.

and instructional reading level through focused strategies and practice.

Before the academic year begins, children will undergo one-on-one BAS assessment powered by Fountas & Pinnell. This assessment will determine the child’s reading level using which teachers will plan lessons. Your child’s reading level will also be communicated to you.

Then, children will commence guided reading in their small group with other children who are at a similar reading level. Each group will have a maximum of 6 children - these groups will meet once every week where teachers will challenge them to read texts that are one level higher with a singular focus on levelling-up.

Apart from participating in the Guided Reading Program, children will also spend time every week in our new library and language lab space. With 10,000+ titles, author events, interactive read-alouds, and parent workshops, our library will be a space that celebrates all things reading!

Applied math program Why Math expert and Stanford Professor, Jo Boaler says there is no such thing as a math person or the idea that some people are math people - everyone is a math person. At AIS, we want to give every child the opportunity to become a mathematician and use math as a tool to make sense of the world around them. The focus of our applied math program will be to ensure that children appreciate the fact that math is all around us and has application in each and every domain.

What and how

As part of our applied math

program, children will spend

one block every week at the

math lab, immersed in engaging

and explorative learning.

To develop mathematicians who can meaningfully apply

math concepts in day-to-day life, we have designed our

applied math program with two key components:

A dedicated math lab equipped with age appropriate

physical and digital math learning resources - our math

lab will give children opportunities to engage with

hands-on activities, games, puzzles, manipulatives, and

challenges and empower them to forge connections

between theory and real-life.

A dedicated applied math specialist who makes

learning fun and engaging for every child

Applied math program in action

Our applied math specialist will work closely with the homeroom

teachers and math teachers to curate learning experiences that

will help children explore the concepts being taught in the class

in a hands-on way.

On some days children will engage in games,

challenges, and riddles. On other days they might

watch videos or observe demonstrations that will help

them visualise abstract math concepts.

The learning experiences in our applied math

program will be designed to cater to children of

varying proficiency and interest levels

Eventually, children will be expected to apply their math

understanding to solve real world problems through

exciting projects

Coding, robotics, and design thinking program Why The future belongs to the makers! Coding, robotics, and design thinking are essential skills for success in today's world. When children design, tinker, and create, they build creativity, innovation, and self-expression skills. This maker mindset gives students the confidence to take on any personal, local, or global challenge and approach it with higher-order problem solving skills.

What and how As part of our comprehensive coding, robotics, and design thinking program, children will get the opportunity to learn new skills, explore interests, collaborate with other children, and create personally meaningful projects. We have designed our program with the following key components: A very large, futuristic makerspace equipped with manual and digital creation tools A team of expert engineers and designers to deliver the program Project-based learning curriculum with three key modules: Skill building - learning skills related to STEM, coding, digital art and

media, automation, electronics, materials, and structure Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) - using digital devices to organise information and express idea Design thinking - unpacking the design thinking process and applying it through ideation and prototyping solutions to problems

Annual Maker Faire - a showcase and celebration of learners’ projects to the larger school community

Coding, robotics, and design thinking program in action Our coding, robotics, and design thinking program is designed to help children bring their ideas to life by learning new skills and by applying those skills to solve real world problems.

During the beginning of the year, children will spend time learning how to use the tools and equipment in the makerspace in a safe way Once children are familiar with the makerspace, our team will start implementing the three-pronged curriculum.

In the skill-building module, children will learn to use maker skills to solve practical problems.

In the design thinking module, they will learn to follow the design thinking framework for user research and problem-solving.

In the ICT module, they will learn to use digital devices meaningfully in every aspect of their life - in and beyond the classroom.

In the last quarter of the year, children will choose a passion project.

At the end of the year, they will showcase their passion projects at our Annual Maker Faire.

As part of the program, students will spend four blocks per week building technical skills in coding, robotics, woodworking, electronics, analytical reasoning, and design thinking.

Foreign languages program Why Ludwig Wittgenstein said, “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world”. By learning new languages, children unlock new ways of interacting with the world. Learning a foreign language is a complex task but its advantages are far reaching - from social and cultural connections to academic and cognitive benefits.

What and how

In our foreign language program, children will get the

option to choose between learning Spanish or French.

The program has been designed in partnership with Skill

Live International with the following tenets:

Curriculum focussed on building practical

knowledge and fluency

B R

uilt in assessments and mastery tracking

egular reports and updates for families

Skill Live International is a

E

leading foreign language

trainers and educators

xpert facilitation by Skill Live International’s

institute with over a decade Immersive language learning experience with of experience serving the cultural celebrations and real-world connections most reputed international

schools in Mumbai, Delhi,

Foreign languages program in action and Bangalore.

The focus of the program is to lay a strong foundation for As part of the foreign

languages program, children

language learning which will help our learners achieve

success in high school.

will spend two blocks a week At the beginning of the year, learners will be assessed

immersed in learning the to gauge their understanding levels. This will help the

language of their choice.

Skill Live International team design their lesson plans.

Instruction in foreign languages program will focus on 4

strands of language learning - listening, speaking,

reading, and writing. There will be additional emphasis

on listening and speaking to ensure that learners are

fluent and are able to apply the language learnt in

day-to-day life.

During the course of the year, children will also be

exposed to the language’s culture through its folklore

and celebration of important festivals.

Visual arts program Why Art serves as a means of communication and self-expression! In today’s world, art takes many forms - an instagram post, an NFT, an AI generated illustration, or a beautiful authentic piece of oil painting. Art is a way to understand life through multiple perspectives while learning technical skills. Understanding and creating visual art builds children’s critical thinking and lateral thinking skills enabling them to communicate in a powerful way.

What and how To give our young artists the ability to develop their own unique style of expression, we have designed our visual arts program with the following key components: A dedicated Visual Arts Studio - a space that celebrates art and serves as a gallery for student masterpieces and hosting renowned artists!

A team of experienced artists and teachers to lead the program Comprehensive visual arts curriculum which focuses on: Diverse 2D and 3D art techniques - painting, printmaking, origami, sculpting, pottery, textile designing, weaving, and mor Wide range of media and materials - exploring paper, clay, wood, sand, inks, paints, plaster, watercolour, tempera, pastels, and mor Art history - discovering the origins of different art forms, knowing popular artists, and reading and critiquing art literature

As part of our visual arts

Art gallery visits and outdoor walks - our art focused field -

program, children will spend

trips will provide students with the opportunity to draw

two blocks every week

inspiration from real-life artists and their work

immersed in building their visual art skills.

Visual arts program in action Our visual arts program is designed to make art more immersive. The focus is to help every child discover a unique style of expression and foster a lifelong love for art.

Children will learn the fundamental art skills of painting with a brush, mixing colours, using glue, manipulating clay, and creating two and three dimensional works.

Over years, they will progress to constructing increasingly intricate works while experimenting with a variety of mediums such as paint, pastels, pencil, clay, paper, glass, and other multimedia art tools Children will build connections with what they are learning in their units of inquiry and extend their understanding through art.

Each year they will be introduced to renowned artists and artworks from around the world and learn to observe, reflect, respect and appreciate the diverse traditions, histories and cultures.

The yearly program will culminate with an Annual Art Exhibition which will give our learners the opportunity to showcase their projects to the larger Ahmedabad community.

Dance program

Why

Movement is innate to children, they start to move to a rhythm long before they can talk or sing. Dance gives children the opportunity to be aware of their bodies, understand how they think and feel, and use it to demonstrate their learning. In turn, it develops key 21st century skills of collaboration, creativity, and communication.

What and how

Our dance program is developed in partnership with the iconic

Shiamak Davar Institute For Performing Arts (SDIPA). Our dance

program has three key features:

A fully equipped modern dance studio

Expert dance instructors from SDIPA who will

conduct all classes

The Shiamak Dance Education (SDE) curriculum

that focuses on

exposure to diverse dance forms

skill-based progression

instilling confidence to perform on stage

Founded by the National Award

Winner Shiamak Davar, SDIPA

has over 25 years of experience in

Dance program in action

the dance and entertainment Our dance program is designed to provide a comprehensive industry. Their Shiamak Dance performing arts experience to our children. They will explore Education (SDE) program runs various dance styles including Jazz Funk, Bollywood Jazz, Hip in some of the best schools across Hop, Theatre Jazz, Jive, Rock and Roll, Salsa and more across India. their PYP years.

Children will spend an average of

one block per week immersed in

learning different dance forms.

C

hildren will begin the year with movement games and

improvisational activities that will help them warm up their

movements to music.

G

radually, they will be introduced to

vocabularies of different dance forms.

As the year progresses, they will develop foundational dancing

traits like posture and lyrical expressions. To further enrich the

dance experience, children will also explore the roots and history

of dance as a cultural practice and art form.

C

hildren will showcase their dance skills and stage performances

’ annual performance

during the school s cultural celebrations and the end of year

Theatre program Why As one of the oldest artforms known to mankind, theatre provides children with multiple ways of expressing themselves and helps them become confident communicators. Theatre gives children a platform to refine their language, connect with their bodies, and tell stories that have the potential to engage an audience. When students put up theatre performances, they do both - learn new skills and demonstrate their prior learning.

What and how To give our PYP learners a rigorous performing arts foundation, we have partnered with Rangbhumi for our theatre program. Our theatre program has the following key components: A fully equipped modern theatre studio where children get the opportunity to create and host performances Highly trained drama facilitators from Rangbhumi who will

conduct all the classes Rangbhumi’s Applied Theatre curriculum that focuses on social emotional learning and on providing children with exposure to a wide range of theatre practices

Rangbhumi is one of Mumbai’s

Focus on staging learner-led theatre performances that are linked

leading theatre groups and has

to school-wide activities

several years of experience working with schools in and

Theatre program in action

around Mumbai.

Theatre taps into the four learning styles - visual, aural, verbal and

As a part of the theatre program,

physical - aiding in children’s personal growth. All these learning styles

children will spend an average of

will be explored through dramatic play, story enactment, imagination

one block per week honing their

journeys, and drama games.

drama skills.

Initial sessions will focus on developing children’s imaginative capacities Gradually, children will engage in specific drama skills that focus on facial expressions, gestures, movement, language, posture and vocal techniques With each progressing session and grade, children will get exposure to diverse scripts and stories from different times, cultures, and places Children will be able to transfer their takeaways in their UOIs, Grade Assemblies, and End of Unit Celebrations Children will showcase their theatre skills and stage performances during the school’s cultural celebrations and the end of year annual performance

Music program

Why

Music is a universal language that transcends cultures and generations and brings people together in moments of shared joy. Music education has been proven to have a profound impact on the development of children - it stimulates the brain, improves language skills, helps socialise, lowers stress levels, and enhances memorization skills. We want our students to develop a broad appreciation of music and develop a lifelong love for it!

What and how To implement a high-quality music program, we have partnered with the renowned Shankar Mahadevan Academy (SMA). Our music program has the following key components:

SMA’s Grow With Music™ Program to pique children’s

interest in Indian music

Certified teachers trained by SMA who will conduct all

music classes across grade levels

Focus on vocal music instruction through range, rhythm,

As a part of our music

diction, and performance

program, children will spend

one block every week growing

Music program in action

with music.

The SMA music program is designed to make children fall in

Founded by the award-winning

love with Indian music while building singing proficiency.

composer and singer Shankar

At the start of the year, children will engage in musical games

Mahadevan, SMA has over a

and singalongs that will help demystify musical elements such as

decade of experience providing

rhythm, pitch, form, texture, and timbre

high quality music education

Throughout the year, children will learn to appreciate the

to people around the world.

versatility of music by exploring music from various regions

and genres

As they progress, children will be able to compose their own

musical pieces. Few years into the music program, all children

will have developed a refined taste for music.

Children will present their musical skills throughout the year - at

the school’s cultural celebrations, grade assemblies, and during

the end of year annual performance

Children with exceptional music abilities will get the opportunity

to perform at

SMA’s special musical events and SANGAM.

SANGAM is SMA’s global music meet where children will

showcase their singing in the presence of renowned global

musicians including Shankar Mahadevan.

Sports program Why Sports give children a platform like no other to build both - the mind and the body. A structured sports program offers children an opportunity to build a wide range of skills. We want to ensure our children are team players who are equipped with critical life skills of performing under pressure and being perseverant.

What and how

To support individual growth and team success, we have partnered

with Sportz Village to build our sports offering. A few highlights of our

program:

Sportz Village’s well-researched sports curriculum

Skill-building in various team sports including basketball, football, cricket,

and volleybal

Emphasis on participation and fu

Options of competitive pathways for students who excel at specific sport

A range of options to cater to the different interests of students

Well-qualified and experienced Sportz Village coaches to

conduct all classes and ensure effective delivery of the program

Dedicated facilities for sports training and hosting games

As part of our sports program, Round the year sports events including sports days and interchildren will spend two blocks and intra-school competitions every week on physical

education and sports skills

Sports program in action

development.

The focus of our sports program is to give children the opportunity to

enhance their skills through specialised training. The Sportz Village

Sportz Village is India’s

program offers a skill-based progression across different team-sports.

leading sports education

Grades 1 to 2: Children will engage in gamified workouts that will help

organisation. With over 20

years of experience, Sportz strengthen their physical and cognitive abilities. They will practise

foundational skills like balancing, catching, throwing, kicking, and aiming.

Grades 3 to 5: Children will get exposure to various team sports including

Basketball, Football, Cricket, Handball and other fun

games like

Ultimate Frisbee, Kho-Kho and Touch Rugby. This training

will prepare them for advanced levels that will follow in later grades.

From Grade 6, children will have the option to choose one sport to excel in. They can pick from

Football, Cricket, Basketball,

and Volleyball.

Children will practise and prepare for elimination rounds and inter-school

/ inter-house sports competitions across the year.

Village has partnered with

corporates, government

organisations, and some of the

best schools across India.

For any queries related to the enrichment program, please write to enrichment@aischool.net Alternatively, you can also call 06353431076 between 9 am and 2 pm from Mon to Fri.