The Elementary School
The Elementary School
The Elementary school is well-equipped with classrooms in the main building and the use of ICT (2 computer labs), library and music (classroom and practice rooms) facilities. There are five grades in the Elementary school with a maximum class size of 20 students. The Elementary class teachers come from a variety of English-speaking countries including the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. Single-subject teachers take the students for Korean, Spanish (from Grade 2), PE & Sport and Music. Our students come from all over the world! Primary Years Programme
ISB was proud to become a fully authorized IB PYP school in 2009 after a five year implementation programme and a careful authorization process undertaken by the IBO. The PYP is designed for students between the ages of 3 and 12 years. It is an international, transdisciplinary programme designed to foster the development of the whole child. The PYP focuses on the total growth of the developing child, touching hearts as well as minds and encompassing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to academic welfare. The PYP combines the best research and practice from a range of national systems with a wealth of knowledge and experience from international schools to create a relevant and engaging educational framework for all children.
The PYP provides guidelines for what children should learn, how they learn, and how they should be assessed. At the centre of the PYP is a commitment to structured inquiry. The children participate more in problem solving, asking questions, actively seeing explanations and forming hypotheses and generalizations original to them.
Another important aspect of the PYP is the time that teachers must spend together planning lessons and generally discussing the organizing themes that guide children and the teachers through an exploration of the units of inquiry. At the centre of the PYP curriculum are five essential elements: Knowledge, Concepts, Skills, Attitudes and Action. The aim of the programme is to help students acquire an understanding of the six trans-disciplinary themes through these five elements. Though there is no external assessment of student work by IBO, the PYP stresses a variety of assessment tools that the teachers use through out the year including students being reflective on their own work and their peers.
A PYP school develops students who are:
Another important aspect of the PYP is the time that teachers must spend together planning lessons and generally discussing the organizing themes that guide children and the teachers through an exploration of the units of inquiry. At the centre of the PYP curriculum are five essential elements: Knowledge, Concepts, Skills, Attitudes and Action. The aim of the programme is to help students acquire an understanding of the six trans-disciplinary themes through these five elements. Though there is no external assessment of student work by IBO, the PYP stresses a variety of assessment tools that the teachers use through out the year including students being reflective on their own work and their peers.
A PYP school develops students who are: Inquirers, Thinkers, Communicators, Risk-takers, Knowledgeable, Principled, Caring, Open-minded, Balanced and Reflective.
As well, the PYP seeks to identify a body of significant knowledge for all students in all cultures in six principal domains: Languages, Science and technology, Mathematics, Social studies, Arts, and Personal, Social and Physical education.
Further information on the IB Primary Years Programme is available from www.ibo.org.
Mathematics
In the PYP, Mathematics is viewed primarily as a vehicle to support inquiry. This enables mathematics to be taught in relevant, realistic contexts through which we can make sense of the world around us. At ISB we endeavor to teach mathematics in an inquiry manner with the intention that students become competent users of the global language of mathematics, and can begin to use it in their everyday thinking. By following the PYP framework, we offer a range of resources to cater for a range of student abilities and learning styles.
Language
Following the PYP Language scope and sequence as a guide, the teaching and assessment of English Language at ISB develops the students' abilities in oral, written, and visual language. A range of resources are used to support students' learning in English Language. Students will read and respond thoughtfully to a range of texts and produce written works in a variety of genres. Grammar, spelling and punctuation skills are taught in relation to the texts studied. The Units of Inquiry provide authentic contexts for students to develop and use language meaningfully, make connections, and apply their learning.
Following the PYP Language scope and sequence as a guide, the teaching and assessment of English Language at ISB develops the students' abilities in oral, written, and visual language. A range of resources are used to support students' learning in English Language. Students will read and respond thoughtfully to a range of texts and produce written works in a variety of genres. Grammar, spelling and punctuation skills are taught in relation to the texts studied. The Units of Inquiry provide authentic contexts for students to develop and use language meaningfully, make connections, and apply their learning.
Science & Social Studies
Science and Social Studies are important areas of knowledge, concepts and skills in the PYP. The Science and Social Studies component of the PYP are characterized by concepts and skills rather than by content. The knowledge component of Science in the PYP is arranged into four strands: living things, Earth and space, materials and matter, and forces and energy. The knowledge component of Social Studies in the PYP is arranged into five strands: human systems and economic activities, social organization and culture, continuity and change through time, human and natural environments, and resources and the environment. These strands are concept-driven and are inextricably linked to each other. They also provide links to other subject areas of the PYP curriculum model. At ISB, Science and Social Studies are taught through units of inquiry which form a coordinated programme of inquiry, to ensure a breadth and balance of Science and Social Studies through the ELC and Elementary sections of the school.
Physical Education
In the elementary school, PE learning experiences are designed using a blend of the "play practice" and the “games for understanding” approaches. Students are challenged to work both individually, and as members of a team, to develop technical and tactical physical abilities in actual and/or modified physical performance.
To enable the development of intelligent performance, the Primary Years Programme divides physical activities into seven strands: body control and spatial awareness, adventure challenge, athletics, movement to music, games, gymnastics and health related activities. All grade levels study a range of activities from each of the categories and units are constructed using an inquiry based model.
Music
As students move through the Elementary School we introduce them to a wide range of musical styles and involve them in many exciting musical performances. Our Music Curriculum (link) is based on the PYP Scope and Sequence for music and so students will perform with their class on both tuned and untuned percussion instruments, or on keyboards and other instruments, such as bass guitar. There are also many opportunities to develop their singing skills as soloists and in large groups. The type of music we play is very varied, including anything from traditional world music to contemporary pop. Students who wish to learn an instrument or join an ensemble can take advantage of our extensive after-school music programme, or take instrumental lessons from one of our visiting instrumental staff. Read more…
Spanish
The Spanish programme is designed to build a strong appreciation and understanding of the Spanish language and culture. Through the study of a foreign language, students will develop sensitivity to the cultural and linguistic heritage of other groups of people and their influence on their own culture. Also, student’s backgrounds are recognized and embraced in order to promote learning and understanding. The elementary programme is organized in thematic and interdisciplinary units. Each unit is enriched with culturally authentic resources and contents. In addition, students receive a great deal of comprehensive input which enables them to use the language in familiar and new activities. This will be achieved using a variety of methods, depending on the children’s grade level and individual needs. Throughout the learning process, teachers help students to become lifelong learners in the context of the PYP learner Profile.
Korean:
Korean as an additional language
ELC children learn Korean language and culture through play activities. The children enjoy learning new vocabulary, songs, games and celebrations linked with the unit of inquiry.
In elementary the students learn how to read and write in Korean through variety of activities such as songs, drama, cooking and crafts. The students study Korean language and culture very closely linked with the unit of inquiry.
Korean as a native language
The Native Korean students receive structured Language Arts instruction in their mother tongue, to assure they keep comparable skills to students in local schools.
Drama
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Most people are not aware, but we use these skills all the time in everyday life. Drama is a great, fun way for students to communicate, express themselves, boost self-confidence and explore other subjects and situations. For this reason, the drama curriculum is linked closely with our PYP Units of Inquiry, language arts and even maths! Through drama, students are given the opportunity to develop creative, technical, performance, personal and reflection skills. Whether it is in the form of a small group role play or whole school production, students are able to take a project through from composition and rehearsal to performance and evaluation. Art
Elementary Art is integrated throughout the curriculum, particularly with Language as a means of communication, Social Studies through exposure to other cultures and different times, and Mathematics through form and design. Art introduces children to different perspectives, stirs imagination and creativity, and stimulates original thinking.
Elementary Art is incorporated into the Units of Inquiry where appropriate to develop students’ creativity and aesthetic appreciation. Students express themselves using art as a form of communication. They practice elements of art, including: line, form, colour, and perspective.
ICT
In Elementary, Information Communications Technology is taught as an integrated subject within the transdisciplinary curriculum. The classes cover many applications including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation software, web editors, photo and video editors. These applications are being used in collaboration with the PYP units of inquiry. The school has a dedicated computer lab with 20 units, a mini computer lab with 15 units and each classroom has at least one computer. The library system is also fully automated and has several computers for searching the library database.
Learning Support
Your child will be assessed in the first term at ISB to help us decide if he or she has any learning needs that require extra support. We have an English as a Second Language (ESL) team who can support students having early difficulties with the English language and Special Needs specialists who can advise class teachers on ways to support students with mild learning difficulties.
Library & Media Centre
The libraries at the International school of Busan function as part of a PYP school. They are learning spaces that allow students to exploit her/his potential. Places where students can travel in time, becoming more knowledgeable, growing both intellectually and emotionally happy.
Traditional formats (books) and modern ones (online databases) are used in order to take care of literacy levels. Students become familiar with the different collections for their age group – fiction, non-fiction - and the library catalogue along with its tools, as an effective way to locate internal as well as external resources quickly. Students are encouraged to borrow and read books, as well as study and relax quietly perhaps appreciating the educational magazines they have access to.
Remember, no matter where you come from, no matter where you will go next, the ISB libraries along with the ISB staff will always welcome your curiosity and your explorer spirit!
The library is open every school day at 08:30. Other Activities
We offer a range of creative and sporting after school activities which have included dance, handicrafts, soccer, basketball, guitar, music and student council. These activities are optional, but regular attendance is expected once a student has opted to join. There are also a number of class residential trips (Grade 3-5), excursions related to units of inquiry and various sports events, some involving competition with other international schools in . Each class also hosts an assembly twice a year: this is a great opportunity for students to present and share their learning with a wider audience, including parents.