KG
Kindergarten Early Years
The Kindergarten program at GEMS International School (GIS) is an inquiry based program that caters to the individual needs of each child. We know that all children learn at different rates and we provide them with opportunities to develop at their own pace whilst challenging them to reach their full potential. At GIS we believe in the power of child-centered learning and acknowledge that each child is unique. We believe in providing children with a holistic learning experiences and opportunities that promote social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. Our Kindergarten program builds on the natural curiosity of young children, where teachers encourage students to ask questions and make meaningful connections through the key concepts, skills, knowledge and attitudes of the IB PYP curriculum. Language, Math, Social Studies and Science are taught through the units of inquiry, hence helping students construct their own meaning through tailored scenario’s and activities that challenge young students in their thinking.
PYP
Primary Years Programme
Primary Years Programme - Grade 1 - 5 (PYP)
Welcome to GEMS International School, Al Khail. We are proud to have achieved International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) authorization in January 2016, due to the dedication of our hard-working faculty and their commitment to providing the best possible inquiry based program for our students.
To be a successful International Baccalaureate school, student independence and learning through inquiry within real world experiences, underpin every decision we make. Student choice and interests are prioritized, and the curriculum is adapted accordingly to cater for the diverse needs of our student body, thereby creating a sense of community were all can contribute and thrive.
The Primary Years Program philosophy, centers around the Learner Profile, where character traits are extensively explored so that students can become more open minded and globally conscious. Our International Baccalaureate curriculum is divided into three components: the written, taught and assessed curriculum. Each have been thoughtfully and collaboratively developed to effectively extend students as they explore the six Units of Inquiry. The Units of Inquiry, “Who we are, Where we are in place and time, How the world works, Sharing the planet, How we express ourselves and How we organize ourselves”, are common to all IB PYP schools around the world. Different aspects of each unit are explored every year, so that students build upon their understanding in a cyclical manner.
The International Baccalaureate curriculum is taught conceptually, so that students develop knowledge and understanding which can be applied to real world situations and within varying subject areas and contexts. We believe that our school’s vision and mission, connected to our International Baccalaureate principles, allow our children to develop holistically to become problem solvers and citizens of the world, recognizing and celebrating their uniqueness, yet understanding their role within our community.
MYP
Middle Years Programme - Featured video - Design & Technology
Middle Years Programme - Grade 6 - 10 (MYP)
GIS incorporates the International Baccalaureate's Middle Years Programme (MYP). This programme is the middle progression of curriculum application between the formative Primary Years Programme (Pre-K to gr 5), and the comprehensive Diploma Programme (gr 11 and 12). The MYP spans Grades 6-10, and offers a rigorous framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. The curricular connections to informational inquiry, allows students to develop outside-the-box applications to problems solving and real life applications. Students transfer the acquired understanding through to conceptual ideas which promote creative and critical thinking.
THE CURRICULUM MODEL (From the IB Principles into Practice)
Students follow a broad and balanced curriculum, organized into the 8 subject groups:
- Language and Literature
- Language Acquisition
- Mathematics
- Sciences
- Individuals and Societies
- Arts
- Design
- Physical and Health Education
- Through collaboratively planned units, students use global contexts to focus their conceptual understanding within the content. By developing their “Approaches to Learning” skills within the content, students embrace a holistic approach to their learning. Throughout the entire program, students embody the Learner Profile traits, which provide them the confidence and skills needed to take responsible action and become a global citizen.
- Students taking the IB Diploma Programme study 6 subjects at either Higher or Standard Level, this comprises of 1 subject from each Curriculum Area of the hexagon (with a possible substitution of a subject in Group 6). All Diploma Programme students take a Theory of Knowledge Course; Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) Programme, and write an Extended Essay in one of their hexagon subjects.
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Students select 6 subjects, one from each group.
Students take 3 subjects at Standard Level (SL), and three subjects at Higher Level (HL).
Students may also take an extra subject from Group 3 Individuals and Societies or Group 4 Sciences, in place of a Group 6 subject.
There is the possibility for students to take two subjects from Group 1 with Mother Tongue School Supported Self Taught, in place of a Group 2 and be awarded a Bilingual Diploma.
DP Subjects at GIS 2017 - 2019
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Group 1 Language and Literature
English Language and Literature SL/HL
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Group 4 Sciences
Biology SL/HL
Chemistry SL/HL
Physics SL/HL
Environmental Systems and Societies SL
Design Technology SL/HL
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Group 2 Language Acquisition
Spanish B SL/HL
Arabic B SL/HL
French Ab initio SL
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Group 5 Mathematics
Math Studies SL
Math Standard Level
Math Higher Level (Online)
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Group 3 Individuals and Societies
History SL/HL
Global Politics SL/HL
Business and Management SL/HL
Information Technology in a Global Society SL/HL
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Group 6 The Arts
Visual Art SL/HL
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Entry Requirements for IB Diploma:
Students must know that the IB Diploma is rigorous, demanding and we have entry requirements in place to ensure that the students who attempt the full IB Diploma are those students who are capable of completing it. Students are monitored in the following areas:
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Student attainment throughout Grade 10
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Student behavior, motivation and attitude
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Student University and career plans
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Completion of the MYP, including Personal Project and Service requirements
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To enter the Diploma here at GIS you need to achieve the following:
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Average MYP Grade 5 or above including a 3 in Personal Project and Service completion (5 required in subject desired for Higher Level, Math HL Level 6 minimum)
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Average MYP Grade 4 including 3 in Personal Project and Service completion requires a discussion with DP Coordinator and Counselor
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Average MYP Grade 3 or less means that students enter into the IB Courses Program
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See the DP Entry Policy for further guidelines
Al Khail
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