PRIMARY SCHOOL
PRIMARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM
TIME OF CHANGES...
BIG STEPS FOR CHILDREN
We pride ourselves in our co-teaching model for Primary students. Each class has an English lead teacher and a Spanish lead teacher, who work in pairs in classes of up to 20 students to be able to differentiate and personalize learning.
Literacy is taught separately in English and Spanish to ensure that children learn the phonics, spelling, grammar and punctuation of the respective languages, as well as to dive into exemplary books and stories from authors from around the world. These core texts are inspired by our topics, which encompass science, technology, geography and history, as well as providing many opportunities for artistic expression and social interaction. All learning is carefully planned to respond to children’s differing interests, skills and needs. As our students complete their primary education, we support their transition to secondary through a variety of activities organized in collaboration with our Secondary School team to prepare them academically, socially and emotionally.
The Primary School Framework
Our students learn how to learn, they become scholars. Beside mastering academic milestones our children learn about themselves. They learn the value of friendship, they develop their own passions and secure their place in a larger community developing respect and tolerance for others.
One of the main goals of the curriculum is students becoming truly fluent in English and Spanish. Immersion happens both in the classroom and in the wider community we have created. The school takes advantage of its location in a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the range of talented artists and experts that reside here.
Our dedicated teachers work hard to refine their own art of teaching. They implement hands-on, experiential activities to enable students to acquire essential skills, engage in creative thinking, broaden knowledge, and deepen understanding.
Guests artists, speakers and professionals enhance our program by delivering classes and workshops to support students in developing their own talents and passions. This gives our students a unique opportunity to become artists in their chosen field.
PRIMARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Topic based learning
Topics are engaging, exciting and of real interest to the children. By integrating subjects through a related topic, children make links in their learning. For example, by studying Wonderful Waterways we connect the science of the water cycle with the creation of both human and physical geography features and the impact that this has had on history over time.
Children are able to look at multiple perspectives and make meaningful connections while also thinking critically. Units of work include individual and collaborative projects. Internationalism is embedded into each topic developing student global mindset. Through our studies we travel the globe learning about the rich cultural diversity of the world and develop respect and tolerance for others.
The core curriculum from ages 5 – 12 (Year 1 – Year 6) includes all the areas of learning on the right side:
PRIMARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Areas of learning
- English and Spanish
- Mathematics
- Science
- Design Technology
- ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
- History
- Geography
- Art and Design
- Music
- Physical Education
- PACE (Personal and Citizenship Education)
- Panamanian Studies
