YCIS Beijing Primary School - Topics of Enquiry 2013-14

In support of the YCIS Philosophy and Objectives, the schools international curriculum model is referenced to the National Curriculum (NC) for England, Chinese Language and Culture of China, and the Character First Programme from the USA. The Primary Framework from England is used for literacy and mathematics. The skills and concept learning objectives are taken from the NC subjects to develop integrated topics of enquiry. Topics of enquiry have an international and local focus, with combined subject themes, emphasising environmental awareness and 21st century learning skills. Character Educations (CE) primary goal is to develop Good Character within each student to be responsible world citizens and contributors to society. The CE programme includes physical health, social skills and emotional well-being i.e. a holistic approach. In addition to Primary mainstream class Co-teachers, the following subjects are taught by specialist subject teachers: Art and Design, Information and Communication Technology, Music and Physical Education. The length of time a topic is studied may vary slightly depending on students interests and progress.

Semester 1 August/Sept (28 days)

weeks 1 2 3 4 5 6

Semester 1 October to December (53 days)

7 8 9 10 11 12 Toys and Games 13 14 15

Semester 2 Semester 2 January /February (21 days) February/ March (29 days )

Semester 2 April to June (57 days)

Year 1 Me and My feelings Whats Outside My

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 Christmas /Chinese New Year and Houses and Homes Living and Growing - Spring Slip Slop Slap Classroom? other Celebrations around the world Staying safe on Character Character Education Geography Science History (Light and Sound) Geography Science History Science Geography History Environment Holiday Education Health Geography Design Technology Science Character Education Design Technology National and international focus Character Education Local focus National focus Design Technology Environment Health Geography Local, national and int. focus Local, national and int.focus National and int. focus Barnaby Bear Geography local, National and international focus Making and People that make a Me and My Friends (Humans and Christmas /Chinese New Year and Mountains and Forests Changes Energy Keeping Friends Difference (figures other animals same or different?) other Celebrations around the world (including Endangered (materials, environment, lives, bodies, positive (electricity & nutrition) from past and (The Reason for the Season) Monkeys in China) changes we can make etc.) Character present) Science Character Education Health Geography Science Science Education Health Character Education History Character Education Environment Geography Science History Character Design Technology Geography History Design Technology Local, national and Education Health Environment Health National and int. focus Local, national and int. focus international focus Local and national focus Cities Friends in Nature Christmas /Chinese New Year and A Step back in Time Save The World Treasure Rocks/minerals Beijing & a contrasting location. Where Habitats, adaptation, microorganisms other Celebrations around the (A selected local period in time (national perspective e.g. desert - natural resources. does everyone come from? world (Party clothes thermal showing change) creep/reforestation in China + Global) Solids, liquids & Science Environment insulation) History Environment gases) Character Education Geography History Local and national focus Science Character Education National and/or international Geography Science Environment Geography Science Local national and international focus Design Technology focus Design Technology Local, national and int. focus National focus Working Together Communication Holistic Living Christmas /Chinese New Year and Powerful Earth Reaching Out Conflicts Around the World and at School Light, sound & electricity (Physical/emotional/ Social other Celebrations around the world - including natural disasters. (Charity) (Resolving conflict/bullying) Character health) (Food Mixing materials /heating Forces, friction, Magnets Education Geography Science History and cooling, changes) Character Education Character Education Geography History Design Technology Character Education Science Science Character Education Geography Science Environment National and international focus National and international Design Technology Design Technology Local, national Environment focus and international focus We have the Power Great Explorers Christmas /Chinese New Year and Protecting Habitats Water, Water Everywhere. Or is it? Material matters. (socially /emotionally having a positive Trade routes/interdependency/ other Celebrations around the (Pandas) Water as a resource/food produce (Comparing and influence on others. Forces, friction, magnets) relationships) world (including Earth Sun and Adaptation, microorganisms) separating mixtures/filtration etc.) classifying materials, Moon lunar festivals) Solids, liquids and gases) rocks and soils, changing Character Education Health Science Geography History Science Character Education Geography Science History Geography Science Environment materials) Design Technology National and international focus Design Technology Environment Design Technology Local, national and int. focus National focus National and international focus Science Growing Up (Mini Unit) Character Education Health Science Perspectives /Celebrating diversity Character Education Health National and international focus How The Body Works (including nutrition, teeth, circulation, respiration, use of drugs) Science Health Christmas /Chinese New Year and other Celebrations around the world (light and sound) Science Character Education Local, national and international focus No More Emperors Chinese geography and history History Geography Local and national Focus Turn Up The Heat. Heating/cooling, burning materials, thermal insulators. Electricity. Science Design Technology Making a Difference (Environmental & Charity) Design Technology Character Education Environment Greeks Then and Now (Education, theatre, Inventions and the Olympics) Geography History International focus

Year 6 Different

21st Century Learning Skills Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Cross-cultural, Enquiry, Innovation and Technology.