Primary Programme

CIS takes pride in its innovative approach to the teaching of the Primary curriculum in English and Chinese (Mandarin). This approach involves a variety of collaborative teacher partnerships, which ensure that students receive close teacher attention while also experiencing the two languages in a balanced and integrated way.
Every homeroom is headed by a pair of teachers with native-language abilities in English and Chinese (Mandarin), and at every year level teachers of the two languages collaborate to plan and teach outcomes from the school's enquiry-based and integrated programme.
In Primary, traditional full-form characters are used for Chinese.
Primary Learning Goals
At present, there are four learning goals that provide the framework for learning in Primary:
- A Culture of Thinking
- Balanced Literacy
- Mathematical Fluency
- and Well-Being
These learning goals are informed by our extensive teacher participation in Harvard "Project Zero", Columbia Teachers College's "Reading & Writing Project, and our own Positive Education work with Professor Lea Waters.
We seek to create a rich and balanced environment of intellectual stimulation where students are aware of their thinking processes and individual capabilities, feel at home with words, language, numbers and calculation, have a positive view of themselves as learners, and are inspired to express their ideas and ready to tackle complex tasks and problem-solving.
Curriculum Areas
- Chinese Language Arts
- English Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Integrated Studies (Science, Social Studies and Art )
- Music
- Physical Education
The values of 仁 (Empathy, Kindness), 義 (Fairness, Justice), 禮 (Propriety, Good Manners), 智 (Wisdom, Right Judgement), 信 (Integrity, Honesty) are woven into all learning.
