CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT

Curriculum Design for Kindergarten : The Kindergarten curriculum is based on age specific learning goals and has been designed keeping in view the educational trends and the needs of the children. A thematic approach is adopted to foster learning across the curriculum, placing an emphasis on developing key skills. It is planned across different areas of learning, facilitating the children to develop at their own space through differentiated and collaborative learning. It is child oriented, focusing on play and the individual personality. We firmly believe that the children need to be happy if they are to learn. Our curriculum provides opportunity for playing & exploring, active learning and thinking creatively. Enriched programmes that stimulate children’s interest are carefully planned and supported. The children are exposed to a variety of exciting and positive experiences and hands-on activities which enables them to explore and enliven their interest. They are encouraged to think and talk about them. The integration of all the areas of learning provides ample opportunities for children to make connections between their experiences. Keeping the international standards in mind the curriculum for our little learners is based on early learning goals that need to be attained by the end of Kindergarten. This assessment pattern has been adapted successfully to provide the necessary range and balance. The curriculum framework gives a detailed view of the concepts that are being covered in all the seven areas of teaching:

1. Personal, Social and Emotional Development
2. Communication and Language
3. Literacy
4. Mathematics
5. Science [understanding the world]
6. Physical Development
7. Art and design
8. Music

Curriculum Design for Primary and secondary school :

The TISA curriculum is designed to cater to all kind of pupils keeping in mind the needs of each individual is different. There following components of Curriculum.

Languages The language curriculum aims to develop the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in a variety of contexts and train students to be able to adapt language to suit different tasks, audiences and purposes. It aims to develop confidence in the students so that they can use their skills and abilities effectively. It helps to develop students' critical abilities - to analyze and critically evaluate diverse texts and to equip learners with the language to question ideas and articulate their point of view.

English: Students will study English and main language through the school life at TISA.

Hindi : TISA provides option for Hindi from Grade 1 to Grade 10.

French / Sanskrit: Grades 5 to 8 students have to select one additional language.

Mathematics and Technology: All students study Mathematics till class X. The Math Curriculum helps students develop strategies that improve their logical thinking and analytical ability. It helps to develop the ability to approximate and estimate, to use trial and improvement techniques, look for patterns and make hypothesis. It helps in development of computational skills and spatial intelligences. The Mathematics Lab activities will be an integral and a compulsory part of the Mathematics curriculum.

Information and Communication Technology: is a compulsory component of the curriculum which will help students assess the impact of new technologies on society and train them to use these productively. The focus of the program is to help the students to understand the use of common software applications and use technology to enhance their ability to access, evaluate and research information.

Science: Science is compulsory subject for all students till Grade 10. From classes I to III it is treated as EVS. In classes IV to X, Science is studied as individual disciplines of Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
The Science curriculum offers students the opportunity to be curious, to question, to investigate, to formulate hypothesis, design and carry out experiments, make critical observations and record results.

The Performing Arts Curriculum (Music Dance and Drama): provides a means for personal expression and the articulation of ideas. This will lead to inspiring and confident participation thus developing social skills through creative teamwork as well as enhancing communication skills. Music and Dance will be graded for students from class 1 to X across the year based on Student’s participation and teacher’s Observation.

Art and Craft: The Art and Craft program is aimed at promoting cognitive aesthetic and emotional growth. Students realize the joy of expression through various media. They learn to appreciate art from different cultures as well as the native arts of the country against the backdrop of the cultural context in which they exist.

The Life Skills: Programme helps the students to lead balanced, happy and successful lives. The program covers Creative and Critical Thinking Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Effective Communication Skills, Problem-Solving and Decision Making Skills, Conflict Resolution Skills, Collaborative Skills, Leadership Skills, Self Esteem, Empathy and Dealing with Emotions as well as Coping with Stress. These skills are dealt in an age appropriate manner.

Inclusive Curriculum:The TISA community believes that all students must have access to learning with equal opportunity irrespective of their class, gender, race, ability, disability, language and culture and social or economic conditions. The decisions taken in the classroom should include the perspectives, knowledge and culture and value language experiences which students bring to the classroom. The school curriculum advocates and celebrates diversity in terms of culture and other differences. It should include all learners to realize the full potential that he/she is capable of. TISA includes creative strategies to encourage and promote inclusive learning environment. The diversity among the students is addressed through appropriate mechanisms to facilitate need based teaching & learning methods. This includes Gifted and talented students along with students with learning disabilities..

We offer a child-centered and developmentally appropriate program for three to five year-old children. The International School Agra focuses to implement play-based learning framework of Creative Curriculum that is a comprehensive system of learning based on research and knowledge regarding all areas of child development social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language. The teachers use their own experiences, as well as the children's interests, to adapt the curriculum to be unique to each class at The International School Agra. Classroom observations become important tools for the teachers to communicate with parents. Play allows children to learn about themselves and their surroundings. As children play, they learn new skills, develop mechanism and explore new ideas.

Children learn variety of skills for example-building with blocks promotes material exploration, as well as spatial planning, symbolic representation, dramatic play, and social interactions. As children use art materials, they are planning and carrying out a task and also using symbols to represent their ideas.

Our play-based curriculum offers children many opportunities for positive interactions with other children and adults. We treat each child with respect and reinforce his/her value as an individual and as a unique member of the school.