The NIS ELC follows the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) Scope and Sequence for all subjects, including Math and Language. We believe that effective teaching and learning are social acts, dependent on relationships with others, with context, with the environment, with the world, and with one’s self. Such learning is relevant, engaging, challenging, and significant. We believe exposure to and experience with languages, with all their richness and diversity, creates a spirit of inquisitiveness about life and learning, and confidence about creating new social interactions. The language provides a vehicle for children to engage with the world and, in an IB World School, to relate to, and accept responsibility for the mission of the IB to “help to create a better and more peaceful world”.
In the ELC we focus on teaching language as a whole, rather than separating it into different elements such as phonics. Literacy is integrated into many aspects of the program through Units of Inquiry, projects, and stand-alone learning engagements. Teachers plan to learn experiences that enable children to develop language within meaningful and enjoyable contexts, allowing them to make connections, apply their learning, and transfer their conceptual understanding to new situations.
Similarly, mathematical learning takes place in a variety of contexts within the program. Most of the math-related to data handling, pattern and function, and shape and space are incorporated into the Units of Inquiry and projects. Stand-alone learning experiences are also provided to promote the development of number sense.
In both language and mathematics learning, progressive conceptual development, together with an enjoyment of the process, provides the foundation for lifelong learning.