Kindergarten and Elementary Curriculum

At ISSP, our international curriculum (that follows IB PYP) for children 6 to 11 years old is designed to provide students with a seamless transition into our secondary schools, ISHCMC or ISHCMC – American Academy, which has a 100% acceptance rate for students who apply to overseas universities.

Best of International Elementary Curriculum

Seamless transition to secondary at ISHCMC and ISHCMC – American Academy

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IB PYP Transdisciplinary Themes

ISSP Elementary curriculum is organized through the six broad and globally significant IB PYP Transdisciplinary Themes:

Who We Are – An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human
Where We Are In Place and Time – An inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between, and the interconnectedness of, individuals and. civilizations from local and global perspectives.
How We Express Ourselves – An inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic.
How The World Works – An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment.
How We Organize Ourselves – An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organizations; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment.
Sharing The Planet – An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.

All students in the Elementary School at ISSP are expected to complete 6 x Units of Inquiry each Academic year. All of our Units are developed from a structured blend of our Curriculum which is based on the latest US Standards and the International Baccalaureate

English Excellence

Over 60% of students achieve above grade level English

Building English language proficiency in every child is one of our key goals at ISSP. Over 60% of our students achieved above worldwide grade-level standards in English in their MAP® tests.

English grammar lessons and writing workshops timetabled reading sessions in our Library that contains over 18,000 English books and an extensive Summer Reading Program develops every child’s literacy and communication skills. Free English language support for non-native speakers is available through our extensive English as Additional Language (EAL) program. Designed to meet the academic needs of students at various levels of the acquisition process, our EAL program improves students’ abilities in reading, writing, listening, and speaking until they are ready to excel in our mainstream programs.

Academic Excellence

Over 80% of students achieve above grade level Mathematics

All elementary students take the Measurement of Academic Progress® (MAP®) standardized testing to measure growth and progress within the academic year and as students progress through the grades.

Over 80% of our students achieved above worldwide grade-level standards in Mathematics in their MAP® tests. These assessments enable us to understand each child’s strengths and needs so that we can deliver individualized learning plans and ensure every student reaches their full potential while at ISSP.

Global Languages Program

Vietnamese and Mandarin

To prepare students for success in our increasingly interconnected world, all elementary students learn either Mandarin or Vietnamese. Mandarin, the world’s most widely spoken language globally, gives our students a competitive edge in preparation for future success in the international business market. Our students are passionate about learning a foreign language, and many choose to extend their Mandarin language education in our after-school Mandarin Club. Vietnamese as a second language helps our students develop a deeper connection to the country we live in.

Sporting Excellence

Competitive Teams - Winning Spirit

We recognize the importance of sports participation and regular physical activity, not only in improving strength and fitness, but also for its positive effects on increasing self-esteem, mood, and concentration. All

ISSP elementary students participate in our extensive swimming program, where specialist instructors teach children to refine stroke proficiency and build their strength and core stamina to swim with ease and efficiency over greater distances.

From Grade 3, students who show a passion for sports and a desire to extend their athletic abilities can compete in our swimming, soccer, and basketball teams against elementary sports teams from other international schools across the city, teaching children about teamwork, risk-taking, leadership, integrity and perseverance, important qualities that will carry them through their lives during and after ISSP.

Maintaining learning routine for students in online home-based learning

ICT Learning

Interactive iPad Program

With Information & Communications Technology (ICT) an integral part of daily life, we believe that children should become confident in its constructive and responsible use from an early age. In our dedicated ICT lab, students develop fundamental digital literacy skills and learn to use technology as a tool to promote and access communication, information, and creativity. Our ICT program also includes an exciting, interactive iPad program where children further develop their creative thinking skills in solving problems using technology.

After School Activities Program

Over 65 Enrichment Opportunities

We are committed to the development of the whole child, addressing students’ social, physical, emotional, and cultural needs with equal importance to their academic needs. The common bonds and friendships created in extra-curricular activities form the basis of ISSP’s close-knit community and rich school culture.

There are +65 After-school-activity clubs (ASAs) at ISSP: swimming, cooking, karate, student leadership, choir, basketball, and dance, etc. ASAs take place from 3:15 to 4:15 PM, Monday to Friday. Some ASAs are taught by specialists in their fields with fees. Some are led by our teachers and are generally free of charge.

Kindergarten
Elementary

Kindergarten

An Example of Kindergarten Timetable at ISSP

Rotation Day	Day A	Day B	Day C	Day D	Day E	Day F
Period 1 8:00-8:40	Math
Period 2 8:40-9:20	Literacy/Phonics
Period 3 9:20-10:00	Storytime	Storytime	Recess	Inquiry	Inquiry	Recess
10:00-10:15	Snack
Period 4 10:20-11:00	Library	Art	Writers Workshop	Music	Art	Music
Period 5 11:05-11:45	Vietnamese / Mandarin	Recess	Vietnamese / Mandarin	Recess	Vietnamese / Mandarin	Counseling/ICT
11:45-12:15	Rest/Continued Learning Block/Free Choice
12:15-12:45	Lunch
Period 6 12:50-1:30	Recess	Writers Workshop	Physical Education	Writers Workshop	Physical Education	Physical Education
Period 7 1:35-2:15	Writers Workshop	Inquiry	Inquiry	Library	Writers Workshop	Writers Workshop
Period 8 2:20-3:00	Inquiry	Recess	Wellness	Recess	Multi-Purpose Room	Inquiry
3:15 – 4:15	After School Activities	After School Activities	After School Activities	After School Activities	After School Activities	After School Activities

Elementary

An Example of Elementary Timetable at ISSP

Rotation Day	Day A	DAY B	DAY C	DAY D	DAY E	DAY F
Period 1 8-8:20	Morning Meeting	Morning Meeting	Morning Meeting	Morning Meeting	Morning Meeting	Morning Meeting
Period 2 8:25 – 9:15	Math: Whole Group Lesson	Math: Whole Group Lesson	Math: Whole Group Lesson	Math: Whole Group Lesson	Math: Whole Group Lesson	Math: Whole Group Lesson
Period 3 9:20 – 10:00	Math: Independent Practice	Math: Independent Practice	Music	Art	Math: Independent Practice	Math: Independent Practice
10:00 – 10:20	Recess
Period 4 10:20 – 11:00	Guided Reading / Literature Circles	Guided Reading / Literature Circles	Guided Reading / Literature Circles	Guided Reading / Literature Circles	Guided Reading / Literature Circles	Guided Reading / Literature Circles
Period 5 11:05 – 11:45	Vocabulary Writing Read Aloud	Vocabulary Writing Read Aloud	Vocabulary Writing Read Aloud	Vocabulary Writing Read Aloud	Vocabulary Writing Read Aloud	Vocabulary Writing Read Aloud
12:05 – 12:25	Lunch
12:25 – 12:45	Recess
Period 6 12:50 – 1:30	Inquiry: Science/Social Studies	Inquiry: Science/Social Studies	Inquiry: Science/Social Studies	Inquiry: Science/Social Studies	Music	Counseling / ICT
Period 7 1:35 – 2:15	Physical Education	Library	Physical Education	Inquiry: Science/Social Studies	Art	Inquiry: Science/Social Studies
Period 8 2:20 – 3:00	Host Country Studies / Vietnamese	Vietnamese / Mandarin	Host Country Studies / Vietnamese	Vietnamese / Mandarin	Host Country Studies / Vietnamese	Vietnamese / Mandarin
3:15 – 4:15	After School Activities	After School Activities	After School Activities	After School Activities	After School Activities	After School Activities