Learning in the Elementary School at ASB prepares students for life beyond the classroom. Our curriculum encourages our students to become independent thinkers, responsible citizens, creative problem-solvers, and confident decision-makers.
Our Elementary School follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP) for all students Pre-K – Grade 5. The IB PYP aligns closely with ASB’s own values, and through the PYP we strive to develop our students as internationally-minded people.
Rigor in the Elementary
Within our Elementary School, rigor is about developing critical thinking skills while acquiring academically relevant content knowledge. Rigor leads to students being able to demonstrate perseverance when faced with a challenge or problem and to independently know and advocate for themselves as learners. At the end of a school day in a rigorous environment, children are full of anticipation for tomorrow and inspired to take action to positively impact their learning.
Early Childhood Philosophy (Prekindergarten - Kindergarten)
We believe that all children are unique, creative, and capable inquirers who learn through play, exploration, and communication. Our Early Childhood learning program recognizes children’s unique abilities and develops their skills to be compassionate citizens who understand that their choices can make an impact in their world.
Principles of our Program
- Children learn through play.
- Learning and inquiry is inspired by engaging provocations.
- Our program is guided by the PYP framework, alongside practices from Reggio Emilia
- Growth is measured through the collection of observational documentation and benchmark assessments
- Learning environments reflect the natural world and are supported by authentic materials and tools that inspire exploration, communication, and collaboration
- By knowing students as learners and individuals, educators respond to the needs of each child.
Prekindergarten is a program comprised of learners from ages three to four years. Our Pre-K program:
- Builds on the individual academic and social needs of learners.
- Teachers students to take care of themselves with increasing independence
- Develops sustaining positive relationships
- Provides a setting for solving social problems in a large group setting
- Learning is experiential and play-based and includes a variety of manipulatives and child-initiated inquiries.
- Students in our Pre-K program explore Art, Music, Technology, and Movement throughout the curriculum. Literacy and Math are integrated into the PYP units of inquiry.
*Children must be toilet trained by the time they enter the Pre-K program.
The Kindergarten program helps students transition from the Pre-Kindergarten program learning into a more formal, structured, and longer school day. Our Kindergarten program:
- Focuses on sustaining positive and collaborative relationships that are the hallmarks of social-emotional development.
- PYP Units of Inquiry and guided play are essential pieces of the Kindergarten day.
- Literacy development includes phonological awareness, emergent reading skills, and concepts of print.
- Students begin exploring different units of study encompassing narrative, informational, and opinion text.
- Kindergartners extend their mathematical thinking on a variety of concepts including number sense, geometry, and data analysis.
- Integrates technology, Art, Music, Host Country Studies, and Physical Education.
Core Subject Perspectives: Grade 1 - Grade 5
Through a balanced, standards-based instructional program and an inquiry-driven environment, student’s individual needs are targeted ensuring that each and every learner will be empowered with the confidence to achieve their highest possible levels in learning.
- Literacy is fundamental to student learning and success. Instruction includes the four interrelated and interactive communication strands of Listening, Speaking, Writing, and Reading.
- Literacy is delivered through the Workshop Approach and is integrated into the PYP units of inquiry when connections are relevant, authentic, and meaningful.
- Literacy is assessed using a variety of tools that address areas such as phonetic understanding, text comprehension, reading fluency and accuracy, as well as writing content and conventions. Data collected inform teacher instruction and aides in individualizing student learning.
- Handwriting Expectation: Students develop both the capacity to write clearly and precisely through the writing process. Our students are taught the importance of effectively communicating their written thoughts and ideas in diverse publishing formats.
- HandWriting Without Tears program is offered to individual students requiring attention to fine motor control.
- Students’ understanding of mathematics is developed through a conceptually based approach.
- Students are challenged to think flexibly, make connections, and utilize a variety of tools, strategies, and manipulatives.
- Authentic, real-world, challenging, and relevant experiences make up a regular part of our mathematics instruction.
- Across all grade levels, various forms of data and assessment support teachers in individualizing mathematics instruction for all learners.
- Mathematics is integrated into the PYP units of inquiry when it serves as authentic and relevant learning experiences.
Science, Social Studies and Host Country Studies
- Critical thinking and decision-making skills development, benefiting individuals, the community, and the environment.
- Students learn how to think beyond themselves and develop an appreciation of Indian culture and an understanding of local communities
- Students learn about positive reciprocal relationships through collaborative experiences. We explore Indian history, civics, economics, and geography.
- Scientific exploration fosters inquiry, curiosity, and collaboration by actively engaging students in investigations using a variety of techniques and technologies to promote scientific literacy.
- Social Studies explores the human story and inquires into how historical events shape contemporary societies and their futures.
Our World Languages are offered through a Foreign Language Experience program (FLEX). The overarching tenet of FLEX Language programs is the desire for students to develop a love of second language learning.
Languages offered:
- Novice Spanish
- Hindi
- French
- Mandarin
World Languages allows students to:
- Learn basic words and phrases in a language
- Develop listening skills, cultural awareness, and linguistic awareness
- Acquire elements of the language with no expectation of fluency
- Engage through oral language experiences, including conversation, song, chants, and games
- Enroll in a language for one school year and then may choose to change to another language the following year (generally, recommended)
- Attend small group lessons during the regular school day, twice a week
- The Visual Arts program aims to create a learning atmosphere where students can enhance creativity, expand critical thinking skills, problem-solve, communicate ideas through a multitude of media, and reflect on their work.
- Art studio spaces are valued laboratories of thinking where teachers facilitate relevant and authentic artistic experiences and extend student learning in individual or collaborative challenges, thereby supporting children’s right to creative expression.
- Learning opportunities allow for students to build on their knowledge of the world around them, deepen their understanding of visual communication, experiment with their creativity, and explore human commonalities within relevant PYP units of inquiry.
- Instruction in our Music program includes singing, playing, moving, listening, composing, improvising, and reading
- Each mode is interrelated, interdependent and interactive, with learning in one area supporting learning in another.
- Through a balanced instructional program, including integration into grade level PYP units of inquiry, and a rich multicultural musical environment, students will be empowered with the confidence to take risks and achieve their highest levels in musical expression, technical skill, and music literacy.
Physical Education equips students with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to encourage lifelong healthy habits. Our PE program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge which will enable them to establish a positive relationship towards physical activity.
Instruction includes developing basic motor skills and movement patterns, as well as expanding and deepening their knowledge of movement concepts, principles, and strategies
Our units are centered around the following themes:
- Adventure Challenge
- Movement Composition
- Health-related Fitness
- Individual Pursuits
- Games
- Swimming (An essential component of ASB’s Physical Education Program for all Elementary School students.)
- Integration of technology into the classroom curriculum is central to the Elementary School program.
- We use technology to enrich teaching and learning and ensure that all our students are equipped with the skills they need to navigate the rapidly changing digital landscape.
- Students in Grades 1 – 5 are in a 1:1 laptop program.
- All students in Grades 4 and 5 participate in the BYOL(Bring Your Own Laptop) program.
Community and Social Responsibility
- The Community and Social Responsibility (CSR) program supports our Mission and Core Values by providing students the opportunity to learn about their communities, serve others in our community, and learn from the experience.
- Our CSR program fosters the learner profile development and engages with NGO partner organizations throughout the school year.
- Through CSR, students learn about our global, national, and local communities.
- At each grade level, students demonstrate their growing sense of community and social responsibility by participating in the planning, organization, and implementation of authentic service-related projects.
- CSR activities are designed to make concrete connections and support specific grade-level units of Inquiry.
ASB’s Information Commons (iCommons)
At ASB our iCommons’ mission is to empower all users towards creativity and intellectual achievements by ethically leveraging information and technology. We inspire our users to create and communicate through local & global collaboration while striving towards cultural proficiency.
Reflecting the forward-thinking leadership at our school and a deep desire to support 21st century learning and teaching model, the Elementary School highlights a collaborative learning environment. On the Elementary School campus we introduce to you ASB’s iCommons (Information Commons). The iCommons replaces the traditional concept of a library. We’ve transformed the centralized library into seven interactive spaces within our learning communities. We call this area, the iCommons. Each grade level has their iCommons housing a variety of resources - ebooks, audio books, printed books, and opportunities to create digital products. This collaborative space supports and engages students in their learning journey.
