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                        Curriculum

 Overview      Goals     KG-6     7-12     Science      English     Math      Social Studies     PE

This description of the curriculum will be divided into two parts – I. The General Overview, which will outline the complete program of studies offered by the school, and II. Program Goals, which will present in detail the important components of key programs at each grade level. Implicit in the understanding of the term curriculum is that it includes not only the content and skills of academic study, but also the standards of morals, behaviour, and attitudes that are considered by this community to be the distinguishing features of an educated person.

 Overview ­

The Abu Dhabi International (Pvt.) School offers an advanced level curriculum from kindergarten to grade twelve designed to prepare students for post-secondary college or university studies. The language of instruction is English. The curriculum has been developed over the years with four main goals in mind:

  1. To teach the skills and concepts related to a traditional liberal education.
  2. To promote fluency in the use of written and spoken English.
  3. To meet the requirements of the Ministry of Education of the United Arab Emirates.
  4. To instill the values and attitudes held by the school administration and the cultural leaders in our community.

The curriculum spans two years of kindergarten, which are referred to as KG1 and KG2 or Prep, six years of elementary schooling from grade 1 to grade 6, and six years of secondary schooling from grade 7 to grade 12. In each of these years, the curriculum combines core subjects – math, English, science, social studies, and physical education; optional subjects – art, music, computers, and library; and required subjects – Arabic and Islamic Studies.

The curriculum and textbooks are mainly American and British in origin and influence, as are many of the teachers and their teaching methodologies. The approach is student-centered, as opposed to teacher- or textbook-centered, using an inquiry or investigative approach rather than uncritical reliance on traditional knowledge, and encourages discussion and research rather than rote learning and lectures.

There are some features of the curriculum that are unique to this school or to the United Arab Emirates. For example, as required by the Ministry of Education, all students study the Arabic language. Where Arabic is not the student’s first language, a more basic version of language instruction, called Special Arabic, is provided. All Moslem students are given instruction in their faith, in Arabic. English Islamics is offered for Islamic students who speak English rather than Arabic. Non-Islamic students take non-denominational programs stressing ethics and values.

Another measure which has been taken to encourage students to broaden their minds and outlooks in an international setting is the requirement of students to study a third language, French, from grade 5 to grade 8. The option to study another foreign language is available to students from grade 9 who choose to follow the IGCSE program.

Students going to grade 9 have two options available to them. Those who prefer the American system can follow a program of course selections which will, at the end of grade twelve, allow them to enter most universities in the world in the freshman year. Top students, however, are encouraged to take the British-based IGCSE program and sit for the A level and 0 level examinations. This allows them to gain several university exemptions and may enable them to enroll in the sophomore year at some universities.

The Abu Dhabi International (Pvt.) School is proud of the curriculum it has developed over the years and is committed to continuing the process of review, modernization, and improvement. The academic portion of the curriculum, however, is of little value unless it is supported by a sound moral and social framework. It would be irresponsible to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the international scene without also giving them a set of values so that they can apply their knowledge wisely. Fundamental to the curriculum, then, is the fostering and application to life of some of the following precepts:

To treat equally all people, regardless of race, colour, language, nationality, religion, age or sex
to value honesty and truthfulness
to respect the environment
to demonstrate civic and national pride and responsibility
to respect law and order
to maintain decent standards of language and behaviour
to be spiritual beings
to have initiative and ambition
to respect elders and those in positions of authority
to have self-respect
to see hard work and personal effort as the keys to success

Goals ­

Course outlines at all grade levels are developed around specific program goals and the school’s evaluation procedures are aimed at measuring the degree of success students and teachers have achieved in meeting these goals. The following summary of goals in the major subject areas will provide a summary description of the nature of the educational programs provided by the school.

KG – 6 ­

The curriculum for the levels Kg to grade six (6) has been developed over the years to help the child to be involved in his environment and allow him to feel and understand that he is an integral personality and self-dependant person. While in the progression too higher elementary levels the students are taught concepts of mathematics and sciences, as well as social studies and languages (Arabic & English) stressing a sound foundation in every way including citizenship and social behaviour.

Grade 7 – 12 ­

Science Curriculum ­

Students will:

    1. Develop critical thinking through discussions, problem solving situations, and open-ended questions.
    2. Develop an interest and curiosity about science, its goals, and applications by relating the science course to daily environment and to technology.
    3. Explore career choices in science and technology.
    4. Develop an awareness of the effects of science and technology on society and the environment.
    5. Develop the skills and techniques used in scientific inquiry through extensive laboratory manipulation and reports.
    6. Develop study skills and information-seeking strategies through projects and essays.
    7. Gain a suitable exposure to functional English through oral presentations, projects, and descriptive questions.
    8. Prepare for entrance into high standard colleges offering a wide array of science topics.
    9. Prepare for SAT exams.
    10. Prepare for IGCSE and A Level exams.

English Curriculum ­

Students will:

    1. Develop skills to a college preparatory level in the four domains of English: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
    2. Acquire an appreciation and understanding through literature of cultures past and present from around the world.
    3. Acquire the skills of critical thinking – e.g. evaluation, classifying, and problem solving.
    4. Learn tolerance and acceptance of a wide range of thought and behaviour.
    5. Be intellectually, emotionally, and culturally knowledgeable about their society and its relationship to the broader world.
    6. Develop an appreciation of other cultures that does not demean their own.
    7. Apply language expertise to intellectual disciplines outside of English.
    8. Be tolerant, inquisitive, empathetic, and excited about ideas and their expression.

Math Curriculum ­

Students will

    1. Appreciate mathematics through seeing a wide range of mathematical applications.
    2. Learn about the contributions of men and women from a number of different backgrounds to the development of the mathematical sciences.
    3. Understand and communicate mathematical ideas effectively.
    4. Develop quantitative reasoning and problem-solving skills.
    5. Understand how technology can be used as a tool to facilitate learning and doing mathematics.
    6. Be exposed to discrete mathematics and data analysis subjects that provide the mathematical framework for many contemporary applications.
    7. Gain a strong foundation in pre-calculus and calculus concepts, techniques, and applications to prepare students for more advanced work.
    8. Prepare for the IGCSE and A Level exams..
    9. Prepare for the SAT I and SAT II exams.

Social Studies Curriculum ­

Students will:

    1. Acquire an understanding of the global interdependence of peoples, governments, and businesses.
    2. Respect the viability of lifestyles quite different from their own.
    3. Acquire an appreciation of the overlapping nature of the groups to which we all belong, whether they are familiar, cultural, economic, or political.
    4. Understand how different governments work, as well as each person’s social responsibilities to his own government.
    5. Apply the social studies skills learned to ever-changing situations in the world.
    6. Appreciate the fluctuating and diverse geo-physical nature of our planet.
    7. Respect and care for their immediate surroundings and understand how all environments work together to make a healthy whole.
    8. Be environmentally aware and know of conservation efforts around the world.
    9. Experience success through the application of a wide variety of learning styles using many different activities.

Physical Education Program ­

Students will:

    1. Develop and maintain a suitable level of physical fitness commensurate with individual needs.
    2. Become competent in management of the body and acquire useful physical skills.
    3. Acquire safety skills and habits, and develop a high degree of awareness regarding the safety of themselves and others.
    4. Acquire desirable social standards and ethical concepts.
    5. Enjoy wholesome recreation during leisure time.
    6. Understand physical fitness and its importance, and learn the ways to maintain this important body attribute.
    7. Learn the rules, regulations, and strategies of various games.
    8. Accept other children in physical activities.
    9. Acquire a desirable self-concept and effective self-image.
    10. Derive personal educational benefits from the program.

 Complete curriculum documents have been developed for all programs offered in the school. The above are intended to offer descriptive highlights of some of the core subjects. As well, the program goals outlined in the curriculum are supported by appropriate facilities and resources:

  

a modern fully-equipped computer lab
a five-station multi-media resource centre
fully equipped science and physics labs
an extensive, professionally-staffed library and resource centre
a wide range of extra-curricular activities to supplement formal instruction

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