Curriculum - Middle School

French, German and English Language A

Philosophy

Our goal is to enable students to become skilled and confident oral, written and visual communicators and imaginative, productive and empathetic members of a changing, information-rich global society. This programme is for native or near-native speakers of the target language.

The key objectives of the ISL English Literacy Programme are to:

• Encourage the understanding and use the power of language and literature to inspire, inform, persuade, evoke and entertain, for the benefit of themselves and others
• Develop the capacity to examine ideas and arguments critically and to respond to them in a clear and increasingly sophisticated manner
• Promote the use of language as one of the essential tools for creative expression
• Recognise and work with a wide variety of texts and media; understanding function, content and purpose
• Promote an awareness of different cultural contexts and experiences, and of the capacity of language to reflect and explore these

French, German, Spanish and English Language B - EAL

Philosophy

At ISL, students communicate thought and experience through the acquisition of languages in a multilingual, multicultural community. Students learn languages in a safe and caring environment supported by a relevant and challenging learning programme. Acquiring other languages develops transferable skills that enable students to become life-long learners.

The key objectives of the ISL Language Acquisition Programme are to:

• Use target languages as a tool for communicating in a variety of authentic settings
• Develop insight into languages, leading to greater understanding of self and other cultures
• Actively participate in a learning environment that is challenging, intellectually relevant and emotionally safe
• Participate in the local and global community

Philosophy

Social Studies at ISL encourages the systematic and critical study of human experience and behaviour: how people create the world they live in; how the world they live in makes them the people they are. Social Studies at ISL recognises and explicitly acknowledges the human basis of learning experience: it focuses on the human dimension of the curriculum, that area which deals with people and their interaction with their environment, in its historical, geographical, cultural, social, economic and ethical dimensions

Objectives

The Social Studies programme pursues a number of themes through different historical and cultural contexts. Some of the themes studied are:

• Cultural identity and its link to the environment, a sense of shared history, attitudes and beliefs
• Causes and consequences of change and continuity from ancient to modern times
• Impact of individuals and groups who contribute to change and/or continuity
• Relationship between people and the environment, our need for and use of resources and the implications of such uses
• Social, economic and political systems and patterns in regions and nations

At all levels there is a strong emphasis on skills development and reinforcement. In particular, we emphasise:

• Interpreting and evaluating geographical and historical sources such as maps, graphs, tables, atlases, photographs, statistics, and writings
• Identifying, analysing, evaluating and applying evidence to support hypotheses
• Making meaningful historical and geographical connections spatially and over time.
• Understanding history through the multiple lenses of all the social studies and developing the prerequisite skills to be able to do so
• Using the essential vocabulary and key terms that lead to more sophisticated discussion of social, economic, geographical and historical developments
• Developing critical thinking skills in the context of course studies

In addition, the department fulfils a key role in the students’ broader educational development by focusing on reading comprehension, study skills, organisation, and note taking, writing skills and research skills. The department also encourages and develops active participation: combining group discussions and oral presentations with the more regular participation will be expected in class.

ISL’s Science Programme stresses the importance of engaging students to strive towards the key objectives of the IB in the active doing of science; providing learning opportunities that stimulate curiosity, encourage risk taking, facilitate investigation and promote positive social interaction. As students proceed through the school, the programme will give them access to a variety of guided experiences which will gradually increase in complexity through grade levels.

The key objectives of the ISL Science Programme are to:

• Provide opportunities for scientific study and creativity within a global context that will stimulate and challenge students
• Provide a body of knowledge, methods and techniques that characterise science and technology
• Enable students to apply and use a body of knowledge, methods and techniques that characterise science and technology
• Develop through continued practice an ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise scientific information
• Engender an awareness of the need for and the value of, effective collaboration and communication during scientific activities
• Develop experimental and investigative scientific skills
• Develop and apply skills in literacy and information and communication technology through the study of science
• Raise awareness of the moral, ethical, social, economic and environmental implications of using science and technology
• Develop an appreciation of the possibilities and limitations associated with science and scientists
• Encourage an understanding of the relationships between scientific disciplines and the overarching nature of the scientific method

It is the goal of ISL to equip each student with the skills, knowledge, and understanding of Mathematics and to see the importance of Mathematics in the real world.  We seek to teach the fundamental concepts of Mathematics as well as the critical thinking skills necessary to use that knowledge wisely.

The key objectives of the ISL Mathematics Programme are to:

• Encourage an understanding throughout the ISL community that Mathematics is accessible to all students
• Promote learning in a variety of ways necessitating experience with a range of instructional strategies
• Enable students to learn more effectively when they communicate and explain their mathematical thinking and understanding verbally, in writing, through diagrams and practical demonstrations
• Encourage the development of Mathematical ability which involves the learning of procedural skills, reasoning, understanding and problem solving, with an emphasis on real world situations
• Provide learning opportunities that promote questioning, exploration and investigation of mathematical concepts using a range of strategies

At ISL we believe the Arts positively stimulate, inform and empower human development. Engagement in the Arts promotes creativity, self- expression, self-discipline, problem- solving, social interaction and an understanding of the human condition. We aim to inspire all students to develop their artistic literacies in positive learning environments through exploration, application, analysis and critical reflection. We encourage a lifelong appreciation for the relevance of the Arts in our lives.

Health and Physical Education at ISL promotes a healthy and active lifestyle. The programme encourages participation and enjoyment in physical activity through the development of knowledge, attitudes, skills and movement competence. Students develop their understanding of physical, social and emotional health and learn how to make positive lifestyle choices. We aim to inspire students to take personal responsibility for lifelong health and well-being.

Performance
Learn the skills necessary to perform fundamental movements, explore movement patterns leading to participating in a variety of multi-cultural physical activities.

Knowledge and Understanding
Develop knowledge and understanding that health has physical, social and emotional dimensions.

Social Skills and Personal Engagement
Demonstrate attitudes and strategies for increasing their self-esteem and self-confidence, allowing them to develop effective communication skills, attitudes and respect for others.

Healthy and Active Living
Learn the skills and knowledge needed to participate regularly and safely in physical activity to develop and enhance their well-being.