Kindergarten - Grade 5
The Elementary Program operates in WAB's international award winning
Elementary Campus. The Elementary Curriculum follows the International
Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IBPYP) and is taught by a combination
of classroom teachers and specialist teachers. English, Mathematics,
Social Studies and Science are taught by classroom teachers, Specialist
subjects include Music, Art, Physical Education, Library, Information
Technology and Chinese, French, Dutch and English for Speakers of
Other Languages (ESOL) and English Language Enrichment (ELE).
General Chinese Language is offered to all children in Kindergarten
classes.
Three streams of Chinese are offered for students in Grades 1-8:
• Practical Chinese which emphasizes conversational language;
• Academic Chinese which provides a comprehensive and challenging
program including reading and writing; and
• Chinese for Native Speakers.
Students in Grade 4 and 5 can continue Chinese or choose to study
French. Dutch can be chosen from Kindergarten, by students whose
first language is Dutch. Non-native English speakers are assessed
by the English Resource Center and offered English for Speakers
of Other Languages (ESOL) and English Language Enrichment (ELE)
programs as appropriate. A number of languages are also offered
as part of our After School Home Languages Program. These include
- Danish, German, French, Finnish and Spanish.
A warm and open environment in the elementary classes encourages
the involvement of parents to share and participate in the formative
years of their child's education. Our teachers provide challenging,
exciting learning activities that extend children's creativity and
problem solving. They make efforts to link the program to the outside
world with the aim of developing a broad perspective in our students.
Our curriculum exposes students to:
• A wide range of concepts and experiences which extend knowledge
and skills;
• Relevant teaching that prepares the students for the opportunities,
experiences and responsibilities they may encounter in a rapidly
changing world.
Regular assemblies and concerts throughout the year give students
opportunities to perform in front of an audience. Field trips enhance
the academic program and help develop and appreciation of the richness
and diversity of our host country China - from 4 year olds touring
the school grounds to look at insects to 10 year olds visiting the
Lama Temple or an international television company in downtown Beijing,
WAB takes full advantages of the local area's cultural and natural
resources.
