Junior School Curriculum
Curriculum and learning resources have been carefully selected to provide the most
accessible but comprehensive learning environments in different areas of the school.
Children from KG 1 to Grade 6 follow a carefully structured programme that takes
into account children's differing learning styles and multiple intelligences. These
considerations lie at the heart of the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and
are transferred to our separate Mathematics and English programmes which standalone
from IPC.
Our KG 1 curriculum focuses on physical, intellectual, emotional and social development
through discovery and activity. KG 1 children learn essential social skills like
sharing and taking turns - they will develop gross motor skills like running, jumping
and balancing and will be introduced to finer motor activities such as building,
colouring, pouring and measuring. KG 1 children will develop their vocabulary and
understanding of the world through class themes including 'Me and My Family', 'My
School', and 'Animals'.
Through the integrated themed units within the IPC, KG 2 to Grade 6 children at
EIS-Meadows will learn about themselves and the world around them, including aspects
of science, history, geography, art, music, ICT, drama, physical education and language.
Examples of IPC units we have selected include 'The Holiday Show' in Grade 6, 'Explorers
and Adventurers' in Grade 5, 'Toys' in Grade 3 and 'Bears' in Grade 1.
English and mathematics are not included in the IPC, and for these subjects we have
drawn on two of the most popular and successful resources from the UK. Children
follow the New Heinemann Maths scheme and Collins Primary Literacy programme at
grade/age appropriate levels from Grade 1 to Grade 6. In KG 2 our children are introduced
to phonics through the 'Letterland' programme which continues to support further
English learning in Grade 1.
From KG 2 onwards, children's learning is regularly assessed through individual
and co-operative class activities, presentations and projects and feedback is provided
to children and parents at regular intervals. Twice a year, more formal assessment
weeks enable children to demonstrate the breadth and depth of their learning. Both
forms of assessment help our teachers to understand and manage their children's
learning and go towards an individual end of year mark that appears on each child's
school report.
The UAE Ministry of Education provides EIS with its approved curriculum for Arabic,
and all children in the Primary and Junior School benefit from a daily Arabic lesson.
From Grade 1 onwards, children are divided into native and non-native speaking groups
for Arabic. Islamic Studies for Muslim students is also taught from Grade 1 to Grade
6.
Additional English curriculum support is provided for children who are new to the
English Language. These children will be withdrawn from regular classes at intervals
during each week to join small groups of children with similar language requirements.