小学

I. Core Curriculum

The Primary School adopts a dual-based integrated curriculum framework of the national curriculum plus international inquiry programs. We fully implement the core subjects of China's compulsory education, strengthening foundations in Chinese and Mathematics, while conducting cross-disciplinary thematic learning through the IB PYP inquiry framework, integrating language, science, humanities, and social studies. A standardized assessment system continuously tracks student growth data, and differentiated instruction adapts to each child's learning pace, balancing knowledge acquisition, thinking training, and study habits to achieve the goal of "solid foundations and outstanding abilities."

Our curriculum is built on the concept-driven, inquiry-based IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework, combined with standards-aligned teaching to ensure a clear, coherent academic progression across all subjects.

The IB PYP is the overall framework for teaching and learning. Through transdisciplinary units of inquiry, students explore core concepts while developing IB learner profile attributes and approaches to learning. The curriculum incorporates internationally recognized standards, including:

• English Language Arts and Mathematics: Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
• Science: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
• Social Studies: AERO Social Studies Standards

The overall curriculum also includes Music, Visual Arts, Physical Education, and Information Technology, fostering creativity, physical fitness, digital literacy, communication, and collaboration.

Across all areas of learning, students are encouraged to make connections between subjects and consider both local and global perspectives. The curriculum is grounded in students' authentic experiences in their local Chinese community while cultivating an international outlook, guiding them to understand diverse cultures, societies, and global issues.

II. Chinese Language Program

The Chinese classroom is based on the nationally compiled textbooks, aligned with the national Chinese curriculum standards, and covers essential skills including character recognition and writing, reading comprehension, oral communication, and composition. Building on the IB PYP inquiry philosophy, our school-based "Big Chinese" program goes beyond textbook knowledge, enhancing language proficiency while immersing students in traditional Chinese culture, helping children build a strong foundation in their mother tongue, develop cultural identity, and grow into world citizens with a Chinese heart.

Beyond regular classes, the school has established an ongoing reading program with dedicated weekly reading lessons. Closely linked to the graded required reading lists in the textbooks and our school's Chinese graded reading scheme, students participate in whole-book shared reading activities. Lessons feature guided reading, group book discussions, reading journals, and themed exchange sessions, bridging in-class textbooks and extensive out-of-class reading. Teachers guide children to master reading strategies and build lasting reading habits, using reading to deepen thinking and strengthen writing, making reading a true part of daily life.

We insist that Chinese learning extends beyond textbooks into practice, bringing the "Big Chinese" philosophy into vibrant campus activities. The division regularly hosts Reading Festivals, Poetry Festivals, and other themed events featuring classic recitation, poetry writing, textbook drama performances, reading achievement exhibitions, book recommendation sessions, and Chinese character explorations. Leveraging the advantages of small classes, every child is given more opportunities to express themselves and showcase their work, experiencing the charm of Chinese characters and literature through immersive learning and accumulating cultural depth.

At SIBS, Chinese learning values language use in real-life contexts. We integrate inquiry, collaboration, and presentation into the classroom, encouraging children to express themselves boldly and think actively, making the mother tongue a source of confidence for understanding themselves, traditional culture, and the wider world, while comprehensively enhancing their overall Chinese literacy.

III. Mathematics Program

The Mathematics curriculum is built around the PEP (People's Education Press) textbooks, aligned with the requirements of the new curriculum standards, laying a solid foundation in core knowledge, computational skills, and logical thinking to construct a systematic and stable mathematics framework.

The division implements leveled, flexible teaching that respects individual differences, ensuring every student learns at a pace suited to their own progress and grows efficiently on a path tailored to them.

The school offers mathematics competition extension courses with targeted enrichment in advanced thinking, guiding students to participate in prestigious competitions such as Kangaroo Math and AMC, using competition as a catalyst for learning, broadening international perspectives, and enhancing higher-order mathematical thinking.

At the same time, the division regularly holds fun, practice-based events such as the Pi Day Mathematics Festival and the Mathematics Flea Market, connecting mathematics with life, allowing students to explore through experience and apply through practice, truly achieving joyful learning and practical application while comprehensively enhancing core mathematical literacy.

IV. School-Based Specialty Courses

As an extension of the core curriculum, the school-based programs are systematically organized around five dimensions: language enrichment, STEM innovation, traditional culture, artistic expression, and global citizenship:

• Language Enrichment: bilingual speech, leveled English reading, second language introduction;
• STEM Innovation: scientific inquiry, robotics, programming, engineering project practice;
• Cultural Immersion: traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy, intangible cultural heritage experiences, historical theme inquiry;
• Arts and Health: visual arts, choir, instrumental music, dance, physical education;
• Comprehensive Development: service learning, project-based inquiry, global issues seminars.

Courses are primarily project-based and experiential, guiding students to raise questions, collaborate on inquiry, and produce outcomes, integrating cross-disciplinary thinking into daily classes.

V. ASA After-School Activities

ASA is an indispensable extension of the SIBS Primary School curriculum, offering a rich and diverse range of courses covering academic enrichment, sports, arts, technology innovation, humanities, and community service. Dozens of elective courses are available, and students choose according to their own interests. ASA classes are interest-driven and practice-first, fully respecting students' personalized development. Through immersive club activities, students develop their strengths, practice collaboration, and build confidence, continuing to explore their passions beyond the classroom and growing academically and holistically at the same time.

VI. Student Development Goals

SIBS Primary School is committed to nurturing learners who are rooted locally and ready for the world: with solid, rigorous academic foundations, clear critical thinking, and a deep cultural identity, together with fluent bilingual communication, collaboration, and empathy, growing into lifelong learners capable of confidently meeting the diverse challenges of the future.