Elementary School Curriculum

Our Approach

The Elementary curriculum at the Australian International School Singapore combines two world-class holistic educational approaches: the Australian Curriculum outcomes and the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP).

The Australian Curriculum builds students’ knowledge and skills in eight core learning areas: English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Arts, Languages, Health and Physical Education, and Technologies. Assessments actively support this holistic approach by balancing external evaluations with project work and practical tasks, enhancing knowledge retention and application.

The IB Primary Years Program (IB PYP) framework nurtures student growth by strengthening academic, social, and emotional well-being. It fosters international-mindedness, encourages a sense of belonging to local and global communities, and delivers rigorous, engaging learning experiences worldwide. Our learning experiences cultivate essential transdisciplinary and subject-specific skills for lifelong learning. For example, students might investigate sustainability and analyse the impact of climate change on different ecosystems through hands-on learning experiences that integrate mathematics, science, geography, and social studies.

Holistic Development

We emphasise the importance of personal well-being for academic success. Above all, we are committed to supporting our students in becoming internationally-minded global citizens who embody the attributes of the IB PYP Learner Profile, take action based on their learning, and uphold the school’s core values of Respect, Opportunity, and Achievement.

Language: Science of Reading

The Science of Reading (SoR) is a comprehensive body of research from relevant disciplines such as education, special education, literacy, psychology and neurology that provides information on how the brain best learns to read. As a Science of Reading school, AIS is committed to being guided by scientific research to gain a deeper understanding on how children learn to read. From this research, we have identified an evidence-based, best practice approach for teaching foundational literacy skills called InitiaLit.

Language: Workshop Model

The workshop model is an instructional practice; the goal of the model is to support learners in reading and writing independently.

The Workshop Model is a class structure that focuses on work time, so students have the gift of time to practice new skills and apply them to the project and their product. It allows time for direct instruction, but also releases the teacher to assess, monitor, and teach.

Fast Facts - Did you know?

Explicit teaching means that teachers
clearly explain and model key skills;
they do not expect children to learn
these skills only from exposure.

Systematic means there is a well
organised sequence of instruction, with
important prerequisite skills taught
before more advanced

Mathematics

At AIS, in the Elementary School, we believe students need to learn mathematics with understanding. It is not enough to know how to do mathematics. When students understand both the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of mathematics, its true nature and beauty are unlocked. When students are able to explain why certain procedures work, they are more able to apply this when faced with new mathematical situations. This stance is supported by many years of research conducted by renowned educational institutions.

At AIS we design mathematical experiences which:

Explicitly teach the mathematical skills required to problem solve
Review and consolidate key concepts, knowledge and skills, building on prior learning across the year
Allow students to find their own solutions and strategies to solve challenging mathematical engagements
Allow students to explain and articulate their mathematical ideas to their teacher and peers (thus improving both collective understanding and retention)
Encourage both creative and critical thinking skills (invention and analysis of patterns, ideas, solutions and strategies)
Value the development of number sense and understanding in order to enhance student fluency

What makes our Elementary School distinctive amongst international schools in Singapore?

Academic and Personal Excellence achieved through:

a broad rich curriculum
strong academic outcomes
strong progress and value add

Global Perspective

As an International Baccalaureate School (IB) we aim to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP)

This world-recognised program offers our students a guided inquiry-led curriculum that is engaging, dynamic and challenging. Underpinned by Australian Curriculum standards, our students actively build on their knowledge and their understanding of the world around them. In taking increasing responsibility for their learning, they develop all the attributes that will lead them onto success in Secondary School.

More Information

Key features of the Program:

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP) is at the centre of our curriculum. This globally recognised program comprises 36 units of inquiry systematically mapped across P through Yr 5. Students engage in 6 units of inquiry at each year level within 6 themes. The themes are based on human commonalities and are taught at varying levels of complexity across P-Yr5, as highlighted by the bold white arrows.

The curriculum is underpinned by the subject disciplines and Australian National Outcomes, which we assess and report to each semester.

The Approaches to Learning, research, social, self-management, thinking, and communication skills are explicitly taught and nurtured. These approaches are also embedded in the teaching and learning in the Elementary School as is The IB Learner Profile, which includes 10 attributes; learning dispositions that extend into all dimensions of school life and beyond. Research into best practices drives our rigorous curriculum, and this is evident in our engagement with 10 High Impact Teaching Strategies, outlined on the left side of the graphic.

Key programs in Language, Mathematics, Positive Education and Physical Education are highlighted and explained on the right side of the graphic. These programs enhance and enrich our curriculum, ensuring students reach and exceed their potential.

Data Drives Teaching and Learning, Assessment and Reporting

At AIS, students’ progress is constantly tracked through a comprehensive Assessment and Monitoring schedule.

Informing teaching practice and ensuring each child achieves their personal best, the rigorous gathering of student data allows our teachers to triangulate data, making more in-depth judgements about each child’s progress and individual needs.

What are the components of Assessment and Reporting at AIS?

Monitoring students learning through a range of written and oral assessment tasks
Documenting learning through differentiated checklists,, anecdotal records, observations and portfolios
Measuring learning through standardized tests to measure students’ performance
Reporting learning through parent/teacher, student led-conferences, reports, and learning progressions

By using a combination of programs and teaching practices, and actively seeking feedback from our students to monitor the effectiveness of our teaching, AIS is committed to paving the way for a successful learning journey for each and every student.

Day In The Life

A day at AIS is filled with inquiry-based learning, hands-on projects, and collaborative activities. Students explore subjects through real-world connections, develop key life skills, and engage in creative and physical pursuits. Every day fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and global awareness, shaping confident and compassionate lifelong learners.

AIS - Elementary on videos

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Up to 18 months

18 months to 5 years

Ages 6 to 11 years

11 to 18 years