Сurriculum overview

Reading and literature

The LIST Reading and Literature Program enable students:

• To learn about literature through exposure to a variety of genre,
• To learn cause and effect through literature,
• To effectively use reading strategies to comprehend text,
• To continue reading instruction and comprehension in all subject areas,
• To develop age appropriate research skills.

The Reading / Literature Program at LIS will include:

• The integration of sight vocabulary, phonics and structural analysis to decode words and passages,
• An emphasis on mastery of skills,
• Practice in both oral and independent reading,
• Exposure to a wide variety of texts,
• An emphasis on comprehension and appreciation of literature.

Journeys – Common Core by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is the Elementary series and McDougal Littell is the Secondary series used to support this program.

Mathematics

The LIS Mathematics Program enables students:

• To value the use of mathematics in a variety of contexts,
• To become confident in their ability to process mathematical concepts,
• To learn to communicate mathematical thinking,
• To learn to reason mathematically by developing strong basic skills,
• To master outcomes necessary to be successful in mathematics,
• To become problem-solvers of mathematics.

The Mathematics Program at LIS will include:

• An emphasis on mathematical processes,
• A hands-on approach to mathematics,
• The use of manipulatives,
• The connecting of math to real-life experiences,
• Four areas of study: numeration, measurement, spatial relations and data.

The McDougal Littell Series is used to support this program. An Advanced Placement course is offered in mathematics for secondary students.

Science

• To develop an understanding of biological science, including life science and health,
• To begin an integrated study of earth science and physical sciences,
• To learn that environmental issues are part of each science study.

The Science Program at LIS will include:

• An emphasis on the scientific process,
• A hands-on approach to science,
• Connecting science to real-life experiences of students,
• Using real world problems to discuss current science knowledge.
• Four areas of study: numeration, measurement, spatial relations and data.

The Pearson Learning/Core Knowledge Series is used in the Kindergarten through eighth grade program. McDougal Littell is the series used for Secondary courses. Advanced Placement courses are offered either in school or online for secondary science students.

Intensive English

(English as a Second Language) IE

The Intensive English (IE) Program serves students 8 years old and up whose English skills limit full access to mainstream classroom instruction.

The IE program at the LIS enables students:

• To develop basic interpersonal communication,
• To acquire academic English skills needed to function successfully in their mainstream classrooms,
• To work in a program integrating the four modes of English – reading, writing, listening and speaking.

The LIS Intensive English Program includes:

• Small class sizes,
• An individualized program to suit students’ individual needs,
• Pull-out classes where teaching focuses on the development of language skills,
• Lessons where the IE teacher works with the classroom teacher to supplement subject area course such as Science or Cultural Studies.

Geography

Information technology

The IT Program enables students to:

• Use the computer as a research tool,
• Find and use appropriate programs for a project,
• Find and use appropriate websites and information online,
• Word process using the correct fingering at an acceptable speed,
• Digital Citizenship.

The IT Program at LIS will include:

• Opportunities for students to use many different software programs,
• Coordination of classroom work and IT skills,
• Independent projects,
• Specific curriculum taught at each level,
• Knowledge of hardware as well as software.

Music

The LIS Music Program enables students:

• To enjoy and experience music in a practical way,
• Acquire skills of listening to and appraising music,
• Develop vocal and instrumental skills according to their ability,
• Express emotions through the medium of music.
• Opportunities for participatory activities and experiences during class sessions and at public performances,
• Music appreciation,
• The playing of melodic and non-melodic percussion instruments,
• Students playing the guitar from seventh grade on.

Art

The LIS Art Program enables students:

• To enjoy and experience art in a practical way,
• Acquire skills of using and appraising art works,
• Develop various skills and techniques according to their ability,
• Express emotions through various medium of art.

Physical Education

The LIS Physical Education Program enables students:

• To develop gross-motor skills, body and spatial awareness,
• To develop the concept of fair play, good sportsmanship and team skills,
• To build on concepts and skills at each Year level to use a variety of techniques, equipment and facilities.

The Physical Education Program at LIS will include:

• Individual and group sports,
• Rhythm and movement,
• Tumbling and gymnastics,
• Fitness,
• Ball skills.

Writing

• To learn language arts through active engagement in meaningful language experiences,
• To learn the modes of language arts in individualized and developmentally appropriate stages,
• To learn to effectively communicate through language arts,
• To value language as a process as well as a skill,
• To develop an understanding that language arts learning is an ongoing process that occurs in and outside of classrooms and continues throughout life.

The Writing Program at LIS will include:

• The integration of reading, writing, listening and speaking across the entire curriculum,
• An emphasis on mastery of skills,
• Exposure to a wide variety of texts,
• Different models of language learning,
• Individual and whole class access to the LIS Library.

The Write Source Series and 6+1 Traits are used to support this program. An Advanced Placement course is offered in literature for secondary students.

Social Studies

The LIS Social Studies Program enables students:

• To develop an integrated understanding of the history of cultures and communities from the beginning of time to present,
• To use mapping skills to understand the relationship between people and land,
• To learn how economics applies to the work people do and how they provide for themselves,
• To learn how people relate to one another as individuals, groups, families, communities and nations,
• To understand how people govern or regulate themselves.

The Social Studies Program at LIS will include:

• An emphasis on research processes,
• An emphasis on Slovenia when related to SS topics.
• A coordinated program to integrate other subjects such as art, music and IT.

McDougal Littell is the series used to support this program. Advanced Placement courses are offered in Social Studies for secondary students.

Foreign Language Studies

(German, Spanish and Slovene)

The LIS Language Program enables students:

• To develop an increasing level of competence in all aspects of the language – reading, writing, speaking, and listening,
• To develop an understanding of and respect for the culture, customs, language, and people.

The Foreign Language Program at LIS will include:

• Foreign language classes from Kindergarten through Secondary (5X Week),
• A specifically designed curriculum to suit the needs of LIS students,
• Qualified specialist foreign language teachers,
• The integration of speaking, listening, reading and writing through a topic approach taught in a developmentally appropriate manner at each year level,
• Opportunities for students to apply their foreign language studies in purposeful and relevant ways, and in a variety of different situations,
• Field trips to significant cultural sites and exhibitions as appropriate.