Curriculum

Balanced Literacy Program - At ICS, we use a balanced literacy program combining many aspects of research-based literacy instruction to meet the needs of each individual child. Our high academic expectations are based on the Common Core Standards from the United States.

For more information on standards: http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/

Balanced Literacy incorporates reading approaches realizing students need to use multiple strategies to become proficient readers. You can find out more about balanced literacy at: http://olc.spsd.sk.ca/De/PD/instr/strats/balanced literacy/index.html

Our primary instructional method incorporates inquiry lessons within a reading and writing workshop model. One of the best ways to improve reading performance is practice. All students in ICS Elementary School are assigned between 20 to 30 minutes of at-home reading practice each day. Students in younger grades do not specify a time limit but are assigned for reading. If your child is not a reader, then this time is for a parent or caregiver to read to the child. The reading can be in English or in the child’s mother tongue.

Mathematics - ICS Elementary School Math is based on the Common Core Standards. We use Bridges in Mathematics from Mathematics Learning Center as our core curricular resource. The program focuses on rich practices and tasks that promote problem solving, reasoning, modeling and communication, as well as skills and fluency. We follow modules that include a significant amount of problem sets so teachers can provide students with plenty of opportunities to practice and apply their knowledge and understandings. Our teachers help students achieve deep conceptual knowledge by asking them to complete problems that have been designed in a logical and sequential progression.

Science and Social Studies- We use trans-disciplinary units of inquiry to enfold all subject areas. All core subject areas are integrated purposefully into our science and social studies units of inquiry. We use a wide variety of resources for instruction focusing on making the learning as hands-on and collaborative as possible. The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and the C3 Social Studies Framework will be used at ICS for this purpose.

Specials Classes

Art

Students at ICS create original artwork and convey personal experiences visually. They do this through the systematic learning and practice of various exercises, skills, and techniques that teach them to better observe and critically understand artworks and processes. In addition, they learn key fundamental concepts and receive vital exposure to a whole host of visual art and digital media that enables them to relate to their own experiences and that of the world around them. Students learn to responsibly reflect and critique their artwork and that of their peers, as well as the masters of art, in order to form strong opinions and the ability to articulate their own preferences and interest. Our program also includes a focus on traditional Ethiopian and African art.

Design, Creativity, Innovation (DCI)

Through projects and design challenges, Design, Creativity, Innovation students at ICS create original artwork and products, and convey personal experiences visually. This course aims to enhance and extend students’ learning using the design-thinking process and through projects that focus on children’s innate ways of learning: passions, peers and play. Students will develop their integrated content knowledge, problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and their understanding and ability to plan and actualize projects. To achieve their individual goals, students will explore, discuss, analyze, play with, and use a variety of materials and media, such as drawing, painting, printmaking, clay, Lego, wood, electronics, coding and robotics, and recycled materials.

Music

The ES music department strives to focus its attention on developing the confidence and music skills of the individual child. It can be difficult to give every child an equal opportunity to perform in large whole school concerts and it is for this reason that we have small class music showcases which take place by class in the second Semester. These showcases are presented in a small and intimate classroom environment, where parents can attend either their child’s usual class music time for EY5 - grade 2 or an afternoon performance for grade 3-5. In this way, parents can really get a detailed look at their child playing instruments, singing, speaking and dancing. The showcases are meant to show the classwork done throughout the year and aim to demonstrate how our music standards are being met through all that your child has achieved.

The children are actively involved in preparing this showcase, selecting the music, reflecting for themselves how they can rehearse, refine and present, the aim is that they are actively involved in putting the showcase together.

Various ‘traditional’ school concert opportunities are held throughout the year as well. Including a ‘Meskel Play’ done by the whole of grade 3 and a music celebration is held in the Amphitheater in December to give the EY5, grade 1 and 2 children an opportunity to sing some songs together in a large group. Grade 4 and 5 have various ‘whole group’ performance opportunities at community events throughout the year.

We strive to follow the school’s values in the Elementary Music Department and our presentation format allows us to focus on the individual child, all the while preparing them for Larger Concerts which will come later in Middle and High School.

Grade 5 students participate in a band and choir program. They will select an instrument for band such as trombone, trumpet, flute, clarinet, saxophone and snare drum. The instruments are provided by the school.

ICS Music Instrument Policy : 

It is essential that all students have access to any of the music equipment, regardless if they have their own instrument. 

Responsibility: 

When a student uses an instrument belonging to ICS, it is entirely the responsibility of the student for the safe return of said instrument. The instrument is expected to be returned in the same functioning condition in which it was originally used. 

Damage: 

• If an instrument is damaged while in the custody of a student DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPAIR IT. ICS music teachers are able to complete minor repairs.  ICS also has a contract with an instrument repair person. If teachers are unable to repair the instrument, it will be sent out for repair and the school will invoice the students’ parents or guardians for the complete cost of the repair. 

• If an instrument is damaged beyond repair-the school will purchase a replacement instrument of equal value and will invoice the students’ parents or guardians for the complete cost of the replacement. 

Physical Education

The philosophy of the ICS physical education program (PE) is to give students the skills and confidence to pursue a lifetime commitment to fitness and to enjoy a range of physical activities. We ensure that students develop positive and supportive relationships with their peers and exhibit good sportsmanship at all times. The PE program is designed to further develop and strengthen students’ self-image, self-worth, and leadership capacity. This program will use a variety of activities from around the globe to ensure that all students have meaningful and fulfilling learning experiences in their PE classes regardless of their physical ability.

French

French is taught at the elementary level beginning in early childhood. The goal of the program is to expose students to a new language with the emphasis on basic conversational skills and vocabulary. A focus on the basic and most fundamental grammar skills are taught so that students can express themselves in writing as well. At ICS we differentiate our French instruction to accommodate a wide range of abilities. Exposure and an understanding of French speaking cultures around the world is a key component of the program.

Amharic/Ethiopian Studies

Amharic is taught at the elementary level starting at EY5 to students and families who are native speakers and have opted-in to the program. Amharic is taught with Amharic teachers coming into the learning hubs to teach students in the context of what they are learning in the grade level. In addition on Wednesdays, students work on specific writing and reading skills in the Amharic classroom. 

Ethiopian Studies is taught to students who have not opted-in to Amharic, or those who are not Amharic native speakers every Wednesday. Students explore our host country Ethiopia through the central idea that "diverse physical and human characteristics make up the country of Ethiopia."