Welcome to GIS

curriculum night
for KG1
OUR TEAM
EMILY PERRY
SAHAR MOHAMED
LENA BELL
FARAH JAFRY
EMMA YATES
DALYCE YANISIEW
AYTEN DISBUDAK
Our Mission Statement
At Gems International School our mission is to
provide a school experience that is joyous,
meaningful and purposeful. Our program of inquiry
sustains students natural curiosity and the desire to
learn while promoting integrity along with
dispositions, understandings and skills to make a
difference. Our approach builds compassion and
empathy along with self-efficiency and resilience so
our students take action, seek diversity and embrace
change toward a more positive world view.

Primary Years Programme
The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally
minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and
shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and
more peaceful world.
In the PYP, it is both recognized and appreciated that learners
come into the programme from various backgrounds and with
wealth of experience.

Primary
Years
Programme
Primary Years Programme in KG1
Transdisciplinary Themes Central Idea Unit of Inquiry
Who we are Human relationships have an
impact on our well-being.
How we express ourselves Through play we express our
feelings and ideas which
help us come to new
understandings.
How the world works Human interaction impacts
the natural environment.
Sharing the Planet We share our world with
many different types of
creatures.
PYP and the Curriculum
Curriculum we follow is:
We use the PYP as the framework to base the standards taught to
students.
The common core state standards provide content guide lines for
math, language and science.

Other
Programmes
JOLLY PHONICS

EVERYDAY
MATHEMATICS
Everyday Mathematics
Everyday Mathematics emphasizes
the application of mathematics to
real-world situations.
Numbers, skills, and mathematics
concepts are not presented in
isolation, but are linked to situations
and contexts that are relevant to
everyday life.
The KG1 version of Everyday Math is
very hands on and concrete,
allowing children to interact with and
experience more abstract math
concepts.
Every Day
Mathematics
Number and
Numeration
Operations and
Computation
Data and Chance
Measurement and
Reference Frames
Geometry
Patterns, Functions
and Algebra

In KG1,
Everyday Math uses
a variety of whole
group and small
group activities as
well as math games
to introduce the
different content
strands which
include:

Jolly Phonics
Jolly Phonics is a fun and child
centred approach to teaching
literacy through synthetic phonics.
With actions for each of the 42
letter sounds, the multi-sensory
method is very motivating for
children and teachers.
The sounds are taught in a specific
order (not alphabetically). This
enables children to begin building
words as early as possible.

KEY ELEMENTS
KG1 PROGRAMME
Differentiated Learning
We try to ensure students are always
engaged and make a point to
personalizing learning. By following
the units of inquiry we allow students
to ask their own questions and often
find their own answers!

Play based
learning is essential
in the kindergarten
classroom.

Centers allow for
teachers to
concentrate on
smaller groups of
children or
individual children


CENTERS
Students can
practice a variety
of skills
independently.

Centers allow for
differentiated
learning to occur
so each student
receives the
instruction they
need.
CENTERS

8 Day Cycle
At GIS, we run on an 8 day cycle.
On each day the specialists occurring in the class
are different. However the rest of the day remains
the same.
Parents will be provided each month with a
calendar which includes what specialists occur
each day
Please note that holidays do not count as a day in
the cycle.
A typical day in KG1

7:35-8:00 : Arrival and Morning Routines
8:00-8:45: Carpet Time (Calendar, various songs, whole group language and math
activities)
8:45-9:30: Snack and outside break
9:30-11:00: Inquiry Centers (carpet activity, individual centers and consolidation)
11:00-11:45: Lunch and outside break
11:45-12:30: Specialist 1
12:30-1:15: Specialist 2
1:15-1:30 : Carpet time End of day reflection ( Early Dismissal)
1:30- 2:40: Free choice centers/ Story time/ pack up
SPECIALISTS
Arabic
Physical Education (PE)
Art
Music
Library
PSPE (counseling)
Our Essential Agreements
In our classrooms it is important we follow our essential
agreements in order to learn and play effectively.
Each KG1 class discussed essential agreements with
their teacher and generated a list posted in the
classroom.
All essential agreements revolve around showing
respect, caring, and trying your best.
Please make sure to encourage and remind students
of these agreements.
Assessments
We use a multifaceted approach to assessment which
includes the following techniques, to list only a few:
Work samples
Observations
Checklists
Anecdotal notes
Running records
Developmental checklists
Rubrics
Technology (photos, videos)

Reporting
We report 3 times per year, followed by
conferences in which student, parents and
teacher meet to discuss learning and set goals
Report cards are based on a continuum which
utilizes numerical benchmarks
Why is the
partnership between
home and school so
important?
Consistent parental
engagement:
Impacts on student
achievement
Adds the equivalent of 2-3
years of formal education
Results in higher grades and
test scores
Improves effort, confidence,
attitude, attendance, life
choices, social skills and
behaviour

Because it works!
Parental
Engagement at
GEMS
talk about what
theyre learning in and
out of school
Let them share what
theyre doing in school
and learn together at
home let them READ
Most importantly,
encourage their
efforts and progress

Communication
Weebly is the main form of home and school
communication. There is a main KG1 home
page with information pertaining to all of KG1.
Each class teacher also has their own class
weebly blog.
Email is also a great way to get in touch with
us!
QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU FOR COMING!