Elementary School

  Introduction
  Pre-K and Kindergarten Program
  Primary Program (Grades 1-2)
  Intermediate Program ( Grades 3-5 )
  Elementary School Special Subject Areas
  Communication
  Homework

Elementary Message

It is a privilege for me to welcome you to the website of the International School Eastern Seaboard.  Our school community is dedicated to helping each child succeed and flourish academically, socially and emotionally. I would welcome you to visit your school on the Eastern Seaboard.

I am looking forward for the opportunity to work with you and your child to provide an outstanding educational experience. We are extremely proud of our dedicated and experienced teachers, outstanding students and supportive families. ISE is known for its high expectations for all; its safe, caring and nurturing environment; and its program of academic excellence. We are also fortunate to have supportive parents who play an important role in their child’s education. Our goal continues to focus on the use assessments in determining the needs of your children; to provide writing instruction in helping our children become effective communicators; to provide engaging and differentiated instructional strategies; to incorporate technology in teaching and in children’s learning; and to offer many paths by which children can be successful. At ISE, our mission is to have students become critical self-directed thinkers, empowered 21st century learners, effective communicators, and responsible global leaders.  Please take the time to walk the halls of ISE to see our expected schoolwide learning results in action. Our school continues to offer a multitude of activities both during school time and after school. I invite you to peruse our website to learn more about the many facets of our school. Take some time to come to our school for a visit so that you can see for yourself the genuine care that our teachers and staff have for each and every student.  Finally, I would like you to know that my door is always open and I welcome your suggestions. Together we make a difference in the lives of our children.  Yours in education, Heather Naro Elementary School Principal

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PRE-KINDERGARTEN AND KINDERGARTEN

Program Philosophy and Description

Research on early childhood education and the experiences of many parents clearly suggest that the ages of three through seven are a most fertile learning period for children.  During these years, a child’s mind is sometimes compared to a sponge, soaking up knowledge at a faster rate than our adult minds can often appreciate.  The rapid acquisition of language at this stage typically reflects a child’s ability to learn in the primary grades.  It is therefore crucial at this period to provide a child with the richest and most stimulating learning environment possible.

The Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten program at the International School Eastern Seaboard (ISE) is a child-centered program concerned with each child’s potential for physical, intellectual, social, emotional and aesthetic development.  The learning environment is carefully planned to facilitate a young child’s innate desire to explore, create and learn.  The curriculum is presented in a manner designed to foster enthusiasm, independence, self-direction and learning skills.  Enthusiasm is cultivated in an environment of caring and respect, giving each child’s ideas time and space to develop.

The academic curriculum at this early level focuses on language acquisition, cognition, and conceptual mathematics, and numeracy.  Throughout their academic careers, the rate at which children learn, the efficiency with which they retain information, and the speed at which they subsequently process and retrieve that information, is very much determined by how successfully these cognitive processes were established in the first years of education.

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PRIMARY PROGRAM (Grades 1-2)

Program Philosophy and Description

In the elementary school at ISE the Primary division includes first and second grades.   Students are six when they enter first grade and seven when they enter second grade. 

In the first and second grades students begin to move from concrete operations (hands-on tasks) to more abstract tasks (written work). Students in primary grades readily handle more difficult concepts and a more rigorous curriculum by building on the firm foundation created in kindergarten. 

The academic curriculum focuses on development of fluency in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and mathematics.  A wide variety of fiction, non-fiction, and electronic reading materials are used to help students develop reading fluency and comprehension skills.  Mathematics instruction includes six strands including; number and operations, statistics and probability, algebra, measurement, geometry, and problem solving.

In the primary years students are exposed to subjects outside their regular classroom to enrich their education at ISE. Beginning in first grade, students are entered in ESL classes if they are new to the English language.  Students also take classes in art, P.E., music, and Thai from teachers who are specialists in these areas. 

Routines established and reinforced in the Primary grades develop strong work habits that benefit students throughout their education.  For example, reading and mathematics homework, development of spelling skills, D’Nealian manuscript printing all contribute to high standards for written work.  In addition to learning many new concepts, students are taught to work productively with peers and express their ideas clearly.  

The primary years are the optimum time for children to make great leaps in their acquisition of reading, writing, and mathematical skills.                  

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INTERMEDIATE PROGRAM (Grades 3-5)

Program Philosophy and Description

In the elementary school at ISE the intermediate division includes third, fourth, and fifth grades.  Students are eight when they enter third grade, nine when they enter fourth grade and ten when they enter fifth grade. 

By the third grade students should be fluent readers who are able to read a variety of fiction, non-fiction, and electronic text independently.  They are ready to use this skill for more advanced learning.  For example reading and writing skills will be used in social studies (reports, presentations), science (experiments, lab reports), and mathematics (problem solving). 

In mathematics students should know addition and subtraction facts and be able to compute numbers accurately.  They will consolidate their memory of multiplication facts to solve multiplication and division problems.  The mathematics curriculum includes six strands, including; number and operations, statistics and probability, algebra, measurement, geometry, and problem solving. 

Knowledge, skills, and attitudes established in the intermediate grades prepare students for their secondary education.  By the time students exit fifth grade they should be able to exhibit a sufficient body of knowledge in each subject area, express their ideas clearly, read grade level material for comprehension, solve mathematical problems in all areas, and study productively. 

As in the primary division, students take ESL classes if they are new to English.  They also take art, P.E., music, and Thai from teachers who are specialists in these areas.

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COMMUNICATION

Home-school communication is vital to the success of your child’s school experience.  To keep you informed of what is happening at school your child’s teacher will communicate with you weekly through a Friday Folder.  This folder will contain a letter explaining what has taken place in the week just finished as well as what will happen in the week to come. It will also contain work samples.  Parents are encouraged to send notes if they have any requests, questions, or comments. 

In addition to weekly communication the progress of your child is reported formally twice a year.  In October and again in March student led conferences are held and a progress report is sent home. Between reporting periods parents may request progress information by contacting their child’s teacher.

If you have requests, questions or concerns, please call the school office or send a note to speak to your child’s teacher.  Please arrange appointments or conferences in advance so that teachers can collect information needed to answer your questions.

HOMEWORK

Although it is not a school policy to assign heavy loads of homework, students in grades KG-5 will be given homework for any of the following reasons:

• To demonstrate independent learning and responsibility.
• Because of absence from school.
• To gather material for group or individual projects.
• Because of an observed need for practice or reinforcement of skills.
• To widen reading experiences.
• Failure to complete class assignments.
• To communicate with home.

Students will not necessarily be assigned homework every night. Homework will be assigned as needed based on student needs.  All students are expected to read or be read to for a minimum of 20 minutes a night.  Reading time can be in their home language.

Parents are encouraged to help establish good homework habits.   They should provide a well lighted, quiet, comfortable desk or table area in which to work.  Younger children, especially, need guidance to establish a routine for doing schoolwork at home.

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