Provide a nurturing atmosphere that supports the student’s emotional
well being and positive social interaction in a multicultural setting.
Work with each student at his/her own developmental level, recognizing
and accounting for different learning styles.
Provide an environment that encourages the development of a love for
learning.
Challenge each student to work towards his/her full potential.
Social and Personal Growth and Development
It is our desire that our students achieve their full potential
socially, intellectually, technically, artistically and physically. We
encourage our children to learn and demonstrate social skills and
manners necessary to enable them to show respect for self, respect for
others and respect for the environment. We expect our students to learn
to follow directions, be attentive, and work within a group setting and
independently. We want our students to accept responsibility, show
self-confidence and cooperate with peers and adults. As these are life
skills and necessary for success, we incorporate these skills into each
subject area to make learning more meaningful and authentic.
Language Arts - Reading, Writing, Listening,
Speaking
The Grade Five program aims to integrate experiences that promote
language development into all areas of the curriculum. Students are
given opportunities to verbally interact in large and small groups. Oral
expression skills are reviewed and refined through drama, discussion and
class presentations. Active listening, which promotes respect for the
speaker and a learning opportunity for the listener, is encouraged and
practiced.
Students are exposed to a wide range of reading materials including;
class novels, anthologies, library books and children's magazines. As
stories are read and reviewed, the story elements of plot, setting,
theme, character and tone are discussed. The sequence of stories is
given more emphasis; and prediction becomes an important means of
assessing understanding of sequence, comprehension and logical thinking.
As well as building on skills developed in earlier grades, Grade Five
students begin to explore cause and effect relationships and draw
connections between what they read and their life experiences.
Comprehension skills and vocabulary development become increasingly
sophisticated.
The "Writing Process is modeled and applied for both narrative and
expository writing. Students are encouraged to plan, draft, edit and
revise their writing. Usage of proper grammar spelling, capitalization
and punctuation is emphasized.
Mathematics
In Grade Five, students continue to work on mastering addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division facts. Their knowledge of place
value is extended to thousandths and hundred billions. Students learn to
multiply and divide by two-digit numerals and decimals. In addition, the
concepts of multiples, factors, prime and composite numbers are
expanded. Work in fractions becomes more complex including reducing to
lowest terms and changing fractions to mixed numbers. Properties of
geometric shapes and figures are covered as well as calculating
perimeter, area and volume in standard and metric units. Students use
problem solving strategies to solve difficult word problems. The
strategies range from critical reading and looking for patterns to
organizing data and drawing diagrams. Estimation and measurement skills
are integrated throughout the curriculum.
Science
The scientific method of critical inquiry is emphasized in the Grade
Five science program. Students recognize that scientific ideas are based
on evidence and suggest practical ways to answer scientific questions.
They learn how to develop hypotheses, set up fair tests, record
observations in a variety of ways and draw logical conclusions. These
skills are developed as students explore the following themes: Plants,
the Solar System and Beyond, Energy, Work and Machines, Populations and
Ecosystems, as well as, Light and Sound.
Social Studies
Social Studies attempts to broaden a student's understanding of the
nature of relationships among people, societies and environments in
various times and places. In fifth grade, students continue learning
about maps and geographic concepts. They apply their geography skills to
the study of culture, history, and environmental issues. Whenever
possible, Social Studies will be integrated with Language Arts and
Science.
Cambodian Culture
We desire our students to develop an understanding and appreciation for
Cambodia and its people. The study of Cambodia is incorporated into
Grade Five with references to geography, national days of celebration
and current events. Cambodia is also used as a reference for units of
study in other fields—for example: Cambodian climatic conditions and
soil are considered when studying our science unit on plants. The fifth
grade class has a field trip to Siem Reap where they explore several
temples.
Technology
We encourage students to value computers as a necessary tool in our
daily lives. Our goal is to facilitate a better understanding of
computer technology and software by integrating and reinforcing concepts
learned in the classroom. In Grade Five, students learn more advanced
tools in Microsoft Word, Power Point, and Publisher, along with the
internet and CD-Roms in various activities and projects. Students are
also encouraged to have more independence by creating their own web
pages. By developing their skills in a range of computer programs,
students will become technologically competent and productive computer
users.
Art and Music
To help our students become aesthetically (artistically) aware and
involved persons, we develop creative expression as well as basic skill
acquisition through art, music drama, dance and movement.
In Art Class, students have the opportunity to develop skills in the
elements and principles of design as well as experience a variety of
different media. They also gain skills in art appreciation by through
observation and discussion about the artists and their work.
In Music Class, the basic musical elements are explored in more depth
and considered by the children whilst listening, improvising, composing
and performing various pieces. They study other musical structures for
organizing music and evaluate their own and others work. They use
instruments with care and control, develop their singing skills and read
and write some standard musical notation.
Physical Education and Swimming
We strive to help our students to become physically fit and prepared
young people. Students participate in two PE classes in the gym each
week. PE is an opportune time to further develop and refine both gross
and fine motor skills. Students also learn how to play games as a team
and further develop cooperation skills. Weekly swimming lessons ensure
that students in Grade Five have opportunities to develop water
confidence and water safety skills. Strength and skills are further
developed through practice and competitive opportunities. Diving and
closely monitored extended underwater swimming are also developed and
refined. Ability-based testing occurs at this level.
Library
Weekly trips to the library allow time for students to check in and
check out books for reference or personal reading. The library is also
available for students to work on research projects.
Resource Program
Students from Grades One to Five who need extra support in reading,
writing, math or other academic areas, may be pulled out of the regular
classroom for individual or small group instruction. Classroom teachers,
together with the Resource teacher plan for the extra help based on the
individual needs of the students.
ESL (English as a Second Language)
Recognizing the multicultural nature of International Schools, NISC has
incorporated ESL as an integral part of its curriculum. The aim is to
enable new English speakers to become involved in the social, cultural
and academic life of the school. The program uses a holistic approach
with the four language areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing
being taught in an integrated manner, with special attention to
individual and changing needs. In the early stages, students are “pulled
out” for concentrated periods in order to get their language to a
functional level. However, as time goes by, they receive more and more
in class support, the ultimate goal being, full integration into the
mainstream curriculum.
Foreign Language
Students who do not need ESL have the opportunity to choose a foreign
language, either French or Khmer. At this level, students are able to
use and understand short sentences of basic conversation in French or
Khmer as well as comprehend short conversations containing the learned
vocabulary. They learn new vocabulary and expressions through games,
picture stories and songs which are presented in task based activities.
After School Program
NISC offers a wide variety of after school activities at minimal cost to
the students. The ASA Program offers age-appropriate activities for all
students. ASA classes offered to Grade Five students include: music
lessons, karate, dance, swimming, cooking, jewelry making, basketball
and horseback riding, depending on availability.
