Specialist Classes

At TASIS England, we emphasize the development of the whole child. We believe academic success is best supported when students are happy, well-rounded and growth-minded. Special area classes are designed to enhance students’ personal, social, and physical development, while also building knowledge and skill. 

The PSHEE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education) program aims to instill an understanding in all children that academic success is not sufficient on its own for success in life. PSHEE is concerned with the education of the whole person and complements classroom teaching by monitoring and assisting with the development of the emotional and social well-being of children. PSHEE aims to help students understand and value themselves as individuals and as responsible and caring members of society.

Instruction in Spanish begins in Kindergarten and continues through fourth grade. The objectives of this program are to develop an awareness of the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries and to introduce students to the language and its sounds. This instruction provides a firm foundation for the formal study of the language, which commences in the Middle School. Additionally, we hope to motivate students to pursue further language study.

The Lower School Library has a wonderful collection of over 10,000 items, including books, magazines, and digital resources such as online databases and encyclopedias. We also have a collection of more than 250 books in 16 different languages to support the home languages of our community. Our library offers books at all reading levels in fiction and nonfiction.

Classes participate in scheduled visits to the library every week. Students are taught how to locate books within the library at an age-appropriate level. Browsing and checking out books is included during the class lessons, but children are also welcome to do this at other designated times. Library skills classes teach students how to locate, organize, and use information. Students are taught how to follow the inquiry process, which involves asking questions, finding resources, interpreting information, and reporting findings. Other skills covered are text features, listening and viewing skills, and literature appreciation. Authors and genres are introduced and discussed. Students are encouraged to talk about their books with their families, teachers, and peers.

The Art curriculum aims to give each student a strong, applicable knowledge of the visual fundamentals – line, shape, and color. Beyond that, art is seen as a true discipline through which an artistically developed person can view the world and understand the differing visions and expressions of their fellow human beings. Each year, students study and apply art concepts such as abstraction, balance, line, form, pattern, shape, color, space, and texture through activities using clay, paint, wood, cloth, and metal. Our young artists’ work is displayed throughout the Lower School during the year.

In Music, students participate in choral activities and instrumental activities, which are taught by specialist teachers. Concepts such as rhythm, balance, and volume are explored. As children progress through the music curriculum, they begin to read music and learn part-singing and harmonization. Instrumental lessons are available for children in K-4 if scheduling can be arranged during non-instructional time. Regularly held recitals, performances, and more informal assemblies enable children to demonstrate their developing skills and talents.

The Physical Education curriculum in the Lower School aims to help students progressively develop coordination, body management, and physical skills.

Basic skills such as hitting, catching, aiming, throwing, timing, balance, control, coordination, and movement are taught. The emphasis is on enjoyment through activity and the development of the physical, emotional, and social needs of the growing child. These aims are extended and refined in the upper grades as the students are provided with opportunities to consolidate their earlier learning, increase knowledge, experience, and creativity, and gradually extend their abilities to tackle new and more complex tasks. The students are given the opportunity to develop the concepts of fair play, honest competition, and good sportsmanship and are encouraged to “manage” the spirit of competition (either within a team framework or as an individual) and to compete with themselves.

Technology is integrated into the classroom to ensure that contextual, purposeful learning occurs. Its use for curriculum-based projects enriches the educational experience of the students. Lower School students have one-to-one iPads, while children in fourth grade also have one-to-one Chromebooks. Digital technology is used in balance alongside non-digital teaching and learning strategies. Students learn how to use technology to enhance their learning safely through e-safety lessons and digital literacy.