We recognize the importance of parent school partnership and encourage parental involvement in each child’s educational journey.
The ELEMENTARY SCHOOL offers a fully comprehensive, diverse program. Students experience a rich diversity of learning opportunities throughout the school. We have committed, caring and experienced faculty members who work with enthusiasm and dedication. Our learning also includes service learning and each grade has an identified social cause that they learn about and contribute to in a variety of meaningful ways.
Elementary School Learning Areas
LANGUAGE ARTS
The Language Arts program, which is based on the US Common Core standards, focuses on the acquisition of reading, writing, listening and speaking skills and the ability to use these skills to become effective communicators. Using the Readers and Writers workshop approach, teachers provide a comprehensive literacy program using leveled reading books as well as mentor texts to model good writing. Teachers use a variety of formal and informal assessments to understand each child’s strengths and determine goals for instruction. The Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System is administered four times a year to students to ascertain their reading level and measure progress in reading.
MATH
The AISCT mathematics is based on the Common Core standards with an emphasis on the mathematical practices to enable elementary students to learn more mathematical content and become life-long mathematical thinkers. The Bridges Mathematics program focuses on developing students’ deep understandings of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and ability to solve complex and novel problems. Bridges blends direct instruction, structured investigation, and open exploration.
SCIENCE & SOCIAL STUDIES
AISCT embraces an inquiry-based approach to these subjects. Science units are based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Social Studies units are based on the AERO standards. Often these units of inquiry are integrated with both Science and Social Studies standards being taught. African, in particular South African, culture and history is embedded as appropriate. In addition these units often link to a service learning project.
FOREIGN LANGUAGES
French and Spanish are taught as a foreign language starting in Grade 1. The overall focus of the elementary foreign language program is communication. Lower elementary students are mainly exposed to listening and speaking skills while becoming familiar with a wide range of vocabulary. Upper elementary students build on this foundation and are exposed to all four main language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in an increasing range of contexts. Children learn through songs, games, rhymes and a range of interactive activities as well as a variety of reading and writing resources.
ART
The art program encourages children to observe closely, record their observations and express their feelings and ideas as well as enabling them to undertake a wide range of art and design activities. Skills and knowledge are developed through individual and collaborative work in two and three dimensions, using a range of materials and processes, and through investigating the work of artists. Cross-curricular teaching enables children to express aspects of knowledge gained in science or social studies in an artistic form, thus enriching their learning experience.
PE
The PE program focuses on developing physically literate students. The program develops students’ motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life. At the Elementary School level we aim to have a combination of skills and fun and promote a positive attitude whether winning or losing. We focus on sportsmanship, team work, effort, and fundamental movement skills during PE lessons
DRAMA
Drama lessons provide the students with an opportunity to develop their creative expression through class improvisations by retelling and dramatizing myths, fables, and fairy tales from various cultures and times. Through improvisations they become increasingly proficient at using the body, the voice and the imagination to express ideas.
Every student in the Elementary school is involved in an annual production. There is a Grade 2 and 3 production and a separate Grade 4 and 5 production. The choice of plays tries to reflect units of study in the curriculum where appropriate.
AISCT is a recognised examination center for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA), which is a world-leading, globally-recognised, awarding body for acting. Students are coached privately and assessed annually on campus in October by visiting LAMDA examiners. The course is a great way to develop communication skills and confidence. Classes are offered to students in grades 3-12.
MUSIC
In an international school setting, music can serve as a window on other cultures. At AISCT a specialist music teacher offers students a rich music program which seeks to foster an appreciation of musical concepts and traditions. Besides focusing on how music works, we also explore practical music in terms of drumming, guitar and singing. Due to our focus on integrated arts (music, drama and visual arts) we conduct theatrical productions each term and therefore time is set aside for song learning, and group as well as solo performances.
DANCE
Students learn about musical rhythms, sounds, cultural dances around the globe and stories, using music and movement. They use props and imagination to create performance art. This class is aimed for students to learn sequences appropriate to their age group, along with basic counting, shapes, directional and positional concepts. There is a focus on motor development, posture benefits, self-expression and appreciation for the arts.
GUIDANCE | COUNSELING
Our Guidance and Life Skills program covers a range of topics for all grades in the Elementary school. As part of the program, students are taught about feelings as well as how to deal with their emotions and how to develop themselves. We discuss concepts such as problem solving, bullying, cooperation, respect, responsibility and acceptance. We also focus on general well-being and making good choices for a healthy lifestyle. Overall, our aim is to promote the development of a happy, healthy student body.
LIBRARY
Our school library serves to promote literacy, instill a love of reading and provide access to information. Elementary students visit the Library once a week to check out materials and practice information literacy skills. These skills may include knowledge of book genres, part of a book and literacy terms, use of the library catalogue and correct citation of sources. In addition, the school librarian and assistant support what is being learned in the homeroom classroom through engaging library lessons that strengthen students’ knowledge about these topics.
IPAD PROGRAM
The Elementary School iPad program focuses on skills development as outlined in the curriculum. The vision of the school is to use the computer and iPad facilities as an aid to teaching the curriculum. Students are taught the required skills to enable them to produce the work required, using multiple devices, with a focus on iPads. By using technology to learn basic curriculum, students also learn about technology and will leave elementary school with the attitudes and skills necessary to become capable and confident in a technology rich future.
IT PROGRAM
The Technology Program in the Elementary School is varied, however the aim of this course is to teach students digital literacy and digital citizenship, with the emphasis on learning new technology and life skills through an integrated approach, where fun, lateral thinking and a progression of new skills are learned.
After-school Activities
Fun is the most important word we have when it comes to activities at the Elementary School level. Our teachers and coaches focus on skills development as well as friendly competition and fun games.
During the school year we have summer and winter activities that we follow and we play sports that are classified as summer and winter sports during these terms. Winter sports are during terms 1 and 4 and summer sports are between terms 2 and 3.
Winter activities include soccer, volleyball, touch rugby, cross country, field hockey as well as indoor activities, such as storytelling, movement club, craft club and French club. Summer activities include swimming, basketball, tennis, netball, touch rugby, soccer as well as indoor activities like gymnastics, cooking club, and art club.
At AISCT we keep a balance between the activities that are offered by the school and those that are facilitated by an outside company or individual. These activities are called private activities and are paid as an extra by the parents. Examples of private activities are Cooking Club, Little Kickers Soccer, Ballet and Drama.
AISCT is a recognised examination center for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA), which is a world-leading, globally-recognised, awarding body for acting. Students are coached privately and assessed annually on campus in October by visiting LAMDA examiners. The course is a great way to develop communication skills and confidence. Classes are offered to students in grades 3-12.
At AISCT we encourage all students to partake in at least one activity or sport per term and doing so instill in students the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle.
