CURRICULUM
Subheader Message
Student learning is best done when
it is authentic and relevant to the
‘real’ world.
At ISD, transdisciplinary learning is not confined within the boundaries of traditional subject areas but is
supported and enriched by them.
Our robust curriculum includes both academic and non-academic activities that impact on student learning.
We also believe all students should be supported to participate in our curriculum to their fullest extent.
LEARNING IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
We define our Elementary School curriculum as three interrelated components. In keeping with the PYP commitment to inquiry, we express these as open-ended questions, each one asking us to think deeply about our own practice with
regard to student learning:
- What do we want to learn?
- How best will we learn?
- How will we know what we have learned?
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
For more information about any of these events, please contact our Community Engagement Coordinator, Lyndsay de Manincor, by email community@isdedu.de.
| WELCOME COFFEE |
| Thursday 20 August 09:00 to 10:15, Elementary School, cafeteria or amphitheatre A chance to meet other parents from your child’s grade, as well as your Grade and Country representatives. |
| SETTLING INTO DÜSSELDORF |
| Wednesday 09 September 09:00 to 10:15, Elementary School, cafeteria or amphitheatre A chance to meet other parents from your child’s grade, as well as your Grade and Country representatives. |
| WELCOME BACK PICNIC |
| Friday 11 September 16:00 to 19:00, Elementary School campus Join all ISD families as we celebrate the start of the school year. Food and drinks are available to buy, and there are activities for children of all ages. |
| ISD PARENT ACTIVITIES FAIR |
| Tuesday 15 September 09:00 to 10:15, Senior School, Commons Room Learn about activities for parents (as well as volunteering opportunities) that take place in and around ISD. |
| WALKING TOURS OF DÜSSELDORF |
| Wednesday 02 September (in English) Friday 04 September (in Japanese) Monday 21 September (in English) Led by a professional tour guide, join the Welcome Committee and other new parents for a two-hour tour of the Düsseldorf Altstadt (old town). Fun and fascinating! Sign up at the Welcome Coffee on Thursday 20 August. |
LEARNING IN THE SENIOR SCHOOL
| English |
| Senior School students at ISD study both English literature and language. Like any other creative endeavour, literature helps us to make sense of the world and our place in it. As readers, we are opened up to the limitless world of possibilities and opportunities, through stories, poems, novels, and plays. As for the English language, it is the world's 'lingua franca', the universal language of science, mathematics, technology, finance, and many more. English is a uniquely flexible and versatile language, in which our students are able to communicate their thoughts and ideas to a worldwide audience. In short, the study of English literature and language is vital to our students' well being: it informs, entertains, and provides a pathway to future success. |
German |
| German Language and Literature / Language A We support students to develop their literacy and communication skills in their mother tongue and use the framework provided in the IB MYP and DP Language and Literature guide. Our programme is also set with reference to the German Kernlehrpläne in North Rhine Westphalia. Students engage with works of literature as well as factual texts from different historical periods and a variety of media and cultures. They practice their analytical and creative writing skills as well as their critical thinking skills to become responsible citizens in a democratic society. German Language Acquisition / Language B We support students in their German language acquisition process so that they are able to use the language adequately in different contexts and also to participate socially. We focus on the guidelines of the IB MYP and DP Language Acquisition programme and also the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR). The students will use course books as well as a variety of multimedia and authentic materials. They will gain a better understanding of German culture and history and develop their intercultural awareness. We also strive to create independent learners and a variety of memorization and note taking skills are introduced to promote effective study skills. |
Individuals & Societies |
| Our Individuals and Societies programme aims to instil in our students a respect for and understanding of the world around them. We also provide a skills base from which they can continue further inquiry. This is achieved through the study of individuals, societies and environments in a wide context that includes the integration of historical, geographical, political, social, economic, religious, technological, cultural and contemporary perspectives. |
| Mathematics |
| We maintain that mathematics is more about process than results. Thus, students are expected to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Our mathematics programme strives to establish an atmosphere of self-discovery within the classroom, recognizing that students need to be active participants within the learning process. Students are taught with a variety of methods, including the use of technology and manipulatives. Our mathematics classrooms provide a safe and respectful environment that is tolerant of mistakes and considerate of the learner’s language level. |
Music |
| All students from grades 6-12 have the chance to engage in a performance-based music curriculum that has holistic educational benefits for all learners. In our Middle Years Programme (MYP), students in grade 6 have the choice between a string or brass instrument. In grade 7, students continue learning musicianship on their instrument of choice (strings, brass, reeds). In grade 8, students develop their performance skills from grade 6 and 7 into a combined unit with theatre. Students then experience composition and music industry production in grade 9. In grade 10, the MYP music course develops into a year-long, four unit course for students who are interested in composition, performance, production and historical analysis of music and culture. The diploma (DP) music programme is a two-year programme for students in grades 11 and 12 that revolves around the following musical components: performance, composition, analysis and investigation. |
Physical Health Education |
| The physical health education programme provides a foundation for every student’s physical and social development. It is designed to develop positive attitudes towards physical activities and to instil a desire for life-long involvement in sport. The programme is co-educational and structured to provide students with a wide range of activities. Those include physical movement and exercise, recreational activities, as well as sport. |
| Science |
| In keeping with our belief that the study of science is a fundamental part of the education of all young people, science is taught in all grade levels at ISD. Instruction takes place in purpose-built laboratories which are equipped to support the aims of the curriculum and provide a safe and stimulating learning environment. |
Technology & Design |
| In our technology and design classes, students not only gain knowledge of materials and processes, but also develop design and presentation skills through an investigative, open-ended pedagogical approach. They investigate, design and create products, always keeping in mind who will use them. Throughout this process, our students gain an understanding of the work and role of professional designers and of the manufacturing industry as a whole. Students are taught to evaluate and analyse their own development, the use and life cycle of products, and the impacts of products, materials and manufacturing processes on society. We also expect our students to incorporate and build on the skills acquired in other subject areas. |
| Theatre Arts |
| Theatre Arts at ISD provides opportunities for students and the wider school community to learn and develop through collaboratively creating, playing, improvising, and performing. In addition to offering a full IB Theatre Arts curriculum within the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the IB Diploma Programme (DP), we also produce four large-scale productions each school year; two middle school performances and two upper school performances. Theatre at ISD in the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) We currently offer MYP Theatre in grades 7 to 10. Each year, students explore a specific performance style and a world theatre tradition. At ISD, we place great importance on the value of ensemble work and the development of effective performance skills. Theatre at ISD in the IB Diploma Programme (DP) Our students may choose to take either higher level (HL) or standard level (SL) in the two-year DP Theatre Arts class. The syllabus is designed to reflect the dynamic nature of theatre and theatre-making. Depending on the personal interests of the students in each class, we can select the plays, playwrights, theorists and theatre practices we study. Those include theatrical forms, movements, styles, genres and traditions. Students also may choose the plays, theatre traditions, starting points and theatre. |
Visual Arts |
| Our experienced art educators work together to create a continuous programme of art education for students from reception to grade 12. The lessons incorporate the diverse backgrounds and unique talents of each student. Individual experiments, instruction in technical skills, art criticism and cooperative projects are just some of the subjects covered. It is our aim to nurture confidence and encourage curiosity through individual and collaborative art making practices. Throughout our programmes, we work to develop the creative and critical thinking behaviours which enable students to develop the necessary tools to function successfully in a world full of visual imagery. We explore concepts from different perspectives by developing technical abilities in a range of traditional two- and three-dimensional media, lens-based digital media, and appropriate software. Risk-taking and experimentation with ideas and materials are a central aspect of our units of inquiry. Throughout the artistic journey, we highly value the documentation of the creative process: our students are required to show their investigations, development of ideas, creative thinking, reflections and evaluations within a process journal. Studio Spaces The facilities for senior school visual arts students in grades 6-12 consist of two large visual arts studios, a dedicated sculpture room, a kiln room, a printmaking area and an installation/photographic room. |
World Languages |
| Learning world languages is essential in a global world. It allows students to gain access to realities beyond their native language concepts, and thus contributes to an international understanding. At ISD, we recognise and respect the varied interests, abilities, needs and diverse cultural backgrounds of our students. Whenever possible, we select our texts and teaching materials from a broad variety of world literature. In addition to the study of literature, we consider modern media technology to be an indispensable tool for the development of language skills and employ it accordingly. Our language courses aim to develop proficiency in the respective target language. Our courses also strive to offer a range of opportunities for becoming better acquainted with the culture, customs, history and geography of the countries where the language is spoken. Aside from our classroom language, which is English, we currently offer German, French, Spanish and Japanese language courses. |
