Primary Curriculum Overview

The Primary Years Programme (PYP) reflects the best of educational research and practice globally, responding to the challenges and opportunities facing young students in our rapidly changing world. KICS empowers students to act creatively, positively, responsibly in a changing world. 

As an authorised PYP school, we ensure that our written, taught, and assessed curricula align with the standards and practices of the PYP. We believe in inquiry and concept-based learning. There are six transdisciplinary themes within the PYP. These themes provide the opportunity to incorporate local and global issues into the curriculum and effectively allows students to go beyond the confines of learning within traditional subject areas. Units of Inquiry are developed around these themes. The inquiries related to these are substantial, in-depth and usually last for about 6 weeks. Since these ideas relate to the world beyond school, students see their relevance and connect to them in engaging and challenging ways. They begin to reflect on their roles and responsibilities as learners and become actively involved with their learning. At KICS, we aim to create a learning environment where young students understand the interconnectedness of big ideas while grasping the essential elements (concepts, knowledge, skills, learner profile, action) that will form the foundation for learning.

KICS Program of Inquiry 2021-22

We strive to continuously improve our curriculum by looking for and adapting rigorous programs that can be customised and aligned with the standards and practices set forth by the PYP. We use the PYP Scope and Sequences documents as well as learning standards and outcomes from the Common Core (CCSS), American Education Reaches Out (AERO) and the Next Generation Science Stands (NGSS).  

To further strengthen our Math and Literacy programmes, we use the Eureka Math and the Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Programme (TCRWP) as our main resources. We use Words Their Way for our phonics/spelling program and Handwriting Without Tears in lower primary.  Reading assessments are taken using the Fountas and Pinnell benchmark system. 

All of the above focus is on setting high standards that seek to challenge and engage students, promote deeper learning and develop critical thinking skills.

For more information and in-depth discussion about our curriculum, please contact me: darwin.balog@kicsnet.org

Darwin Balog-ang
PYP/Curriculum Coordinator