The American Bilingual School

Elementary Department

Our elementary division provides a structured, yet nurturing and supportive environment where children flourish. While a challenging, stimulating, academic curriculum is crucial to the success of our children, careful attention is also given to their social and emotional development.

 

By providing a caring and supportive classroom environment, the students are encouraged to develop independence, a respect for others and a sense of responsibility for themselves. By working both independently and in cooperative groups, our boys and girls develop life-long learning skills.

 

The curriculum emphasizes traditional disciplines, including English language arts (e.g. English usage, writing, etc.), Arabic, Islamic studies, math, social studies, science, art, music, computers, and physical education. Character education is integrated into the general curriculum.

 

Children, through a variety of teaching strategies, learn to explore their world and develop a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. Students are encouraged to utilize critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It is our goal to maximize each child's potential and to prepare them for their role in an ever-changing global community.

 

As the students progress from the lower elementary grades to the intermediate grades (3-6), they continue to meet the challenges of a stimulating and expansive curriculum. They are provided with an understanding of the world in which they live and with the tools for future success. The concepts introduced in the primary grades are further developed and new concepts and skills are introduced. New ideas are explored and creative solutions to problems are encouraged.

Children learn appropriate work habits and become independent and responsible students.

Core subjects

English Language Arts

Classes are delivered by native English speakers and certified teachers that challenge our students to rise above expectations. Using Pearson materials our teachers use best teaching practices and differentiated instruction to target education specific to each student's needs. All of our English Language arts classes are equipped with interactive white boards that provide other forms of instruction to enhance students' learning.

Math

Mathematics is delivered by our Math specialists who focus their instruction on the academic needs of the students while continuing to teach grade level content. The goal in mathematics education is for our students to:

• Develop fluency in basic computational skills.

• Develop an understanding of mathematical concepts.

• Become mathematical problem solvers who can recognize and solve routine problems readily and can find ways to reach a solution or goal where no routine path is apparent.

• Communicate precisely about quantities, logical relationships, and unknown values through the use of signs, symbols, models, graphs, and mathematical terms.

• Reason mathematically by gathering data, analyzing evidence, and building arguments to support or refute hypotheses.

• Make connections among mathematical ideas and between mathematics and other disciplines.

Science

In grades 1 through 5 our students are introduced to science, this subject is taught so that students have the opportunity to build connections that link science to technology and societal impacts. Science, technology, and societal issues are strongly connected to community health, population, natural resources, environmental quality, natural and human-induced hazards, and other global challenges.

 

Elective Subjects

Other courses offered as electives: Social Skills, Physical Education and Health, Music, Art, French, Computers, Drama.

Teaching methods

Using best practices, our teachers deliver instruction based on the students needs and learning styles. Each student is valued and the education is differentiated to meet all of our student’s needs. We also have the services of our resource teacher who works with students that need the extra support and have been identified by their English teachers.

 

Technology

In the classrooms delivered through the use of interactive white boards that allow teachers to present and engage students in the learning process.  We also have a fully functioning computer lab with interactive software and engaging curriculum delivered by our highly qualified technology teacher.

 

Application Criteria

• Grade 1 – must be 6 years old before December 31st

• Grade 2 – must be 7 years old before December 31st

• Grade 3 – must be 8 years old before December 31st

• Grade 4 – must be 9 years old before December 31st

• Grade 5 – must be 10 years old before December 31st