Welcome to the ISHR Primary Years section

The Primary section of the school encompasses Grades One to Five, and the students then transfer into the Secondary School in Grade Six.

ISHR is an English medium school, with extra assistance provided to beginning English language learners through our English as a Second Language (E.S.L.) programme. The ISHR Primary School curriculum includes the core subject areas of English (Language Arts), Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, as well as Music, Art, Information Technology, Personal and Social Education, and Physical Education. In addition, students receive instruction in German as a second language, or German as a first language, depending on their German language proficiency.

Wherever possible, the above subjects areas are taught under the guiding umbrella of particular topics or units of inquiry, in accordance with the philosophy of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. This means that different subjects are often integrated into the study of particular units, although at other times particular skills in each of these areas are taught on a stand alone basis.

Teachers at ISHR come from a variety of educational and cultural backgrounds. These teachers employ a wide range of teaching techniques and strategies in order to provide for the needs of the various children in their class. These activities may include whole class and small group instruction, partner activities, co-operative learning, worksheets, the use of manipulatives, games, research projects, role-play, independent learning, student presentations, experiments and “hands-on” learning, group discussions, and many other activities. All children are encouraged to do regular homework, and to read widely at home as well as at school. The school encourages parents to become involved and interested in what their children are learning, whilst allowing their children to develop the independence to complete their homework and research projects on their own. A learning enrichment (special needs) teacher is available to assist those children with learning difficulties, and to help them cope in the regular classroom.

Children are encouraged to become globally aware, culturally sensitive, and open-minded citizens, who celebrate the fact that they attend a school with a diversity of cultures and beliefs. They are also encouraged to become well-balanced individuals with a wide range of sporting, artistic, academic, and cultural interests. Primary students have full access to the school gymnasium, music room, library, and computer laboratory. In addition to this, the children attend swimming lessons at the indoor swimming pool across the road. Regular sporting events are held, and children can participate in a range of after-school sports. Primary students also perform in musical concerts and other events on a regular basis.

This curriculum handbook provides an outline of the IB PYP, as well as a brief summary of the core subjects taught at each grade level. At the back of the booklet, there are summaries of the other subjects taught throughout the Primary School, such as Music, Physical Education, Information Technology, German, and English as a Second Language. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher, and subsequently the Primary Co-ordinator. We look forward to a productive relationship with you, in the interests of furthering your child’s education and overall development.

How Can I support My Child’s Learning?

The IB PYP sees learning as a partnership between student, parent, and school. At ISHR we believe that you can support your child’s learning by:

• Maintaining regular contact with the school.

• Sharing books with your child, reading to them and with them.

• Supporting your child’s first language.

• Providing an appropriate setting and structured routine for doing homework, whilst encouraging independence.

• Assisting your child with research projects, and encouraging them to develop their interests.

• Encouraging your child to ask questions, and helping them to seek the answers.

• Encouraging your child to attain the attributes of the PYP student profile (above), and praising their attempts to do so.

• Attending curriculum information sessions and parent/teacher conferences at school.

• Showing a positive attitude towards learning, and modelling the student profile characteristics yourself - in other words, being a good role model for your child.

• Following the lines of communication in order of: Your child’s teacher, Head of Primary, and then Director.