great-attention-is-paid-to-childrens-need-for-movementIn the lower grades, play remains a central part of learning at Science, Language & Arts International School. It is celebrated and nurtured. Great attention is paid to children’s need for movement.

Children enjoy three intentional opportunities for physical exercise daily and we uphold time outdoors under most weather conditions, but for the most severe. Academics are conveyed through interdisciplinary projects and small group work.

In Grade 1, we begin to emphasize English in literacy and arithmetic instruction as children learn to read fluently and solidify their understanding of our number system. Mandatory homework, beyond independent reading or handwriting practice, is not assigned to students before the Upper Elementary grades. Children need not have any prior exposure to the target language to apply to Pre-K and Kindergarten. We consider Anglophone-only applicants for Grade 1 on a case-by-case basis.

Typical Day, Pre-K and K

(95 percent instruction in the target language)

8:15 amArrival and free play at stations
(building, drawing, hand-eye work, math games, puzzles, etc.)
9:00 amSchool day begins with morning meeting (songs, review and discussion of current class topics)
9:20 amMath and art activities
10:10 amMovement break and snack
10:30 amScience and ongoing projects
11:30 amRecess outdoors
12:30 pmLunch
1:00 pmRead-aloud and quiet time with books
1:45 pmIntegrated curriculum projects, art, music, or enrichment in a third language, with a break for yoga or other movement
3:00 pmDismissal (after-school activities begin)

Typical day, Grade 1

(75 percent instruction in the target language)

8:00 amArrival and work at stations
8:30 amSchool day begins with morning meeting
8:50 amMorning academic block of math, social studies, English language arts, and French/Mandarin language arts
11:30 amRecess outdoors
12:30 pmLunch
1:00 pmRead-aloud and/or independent reading time
1:30 pmAfternoon academic block for long-term integrated curriculum projects, art, music, or enrichment in a third language, with a break for yoga or other movement
3:30 pmDismissal (after-school activities begin)

The earlier start and later end time for Grade 1 allows for a longer daily English Language Arts period, as well as enrichment in other areas.