KINDERGARTEN SCHOOL
The Kindergarten program at the Woodlands Overseas School has a strong commitment to the whole child. We seek to foster each child’s intellectual, physical, emotional, social and cultural growth within a rich and stimulating environment. Our basic philosophy is that children learn best by doing. Children are given opportunities to explore, experiment and discover with hands-on materials. We strive to instill a positive attitude about school and the idea that learning is fun. The Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs promote the development of readiness and enhance each child’s physical social, cognitive and creative development. The learning activities are designed to promote the development of a sense of self-esteem, assist a child in developing decision-making skills, allow a child to look at the world from different perspectives and adapt to change. Students at the kindergarten levels also receive special instruction in art, physical education, dance, music, cooking, computers and swimming. Children explore the world in learning and activity centres.
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students spend part of each day at a variety of “Learning Centres”. In this way they learn through all their senses & through the stimulation challenge of different activities.
Academic Centre
Where they develop pre writing skills, they learn reading with a great choice of books. In mathematics, children explore concepts with ‘Manipulative Concepts’ such as Shapes & Patterns.
Activity Centre
Where they learn from hands on explorations and other enjoyable activities that exercise all their senses and all their imagination and curiosity from learning music, dance, cooking, drawing to reading books. Each day is a fun experience at Woodlands Overseas School.
PRIMARY SCHOOL (GRADE 1 – GRADE 5)
The Primary program (Grades 1-5) emphasizes the basic subjects with a major part of the program directed towards the development of language, writing and arithmetic skills. The program recognizes the need for children to become more aware of the concepts of family, neighbourhood, country and world via a sequential program.
In the Primary program, science and social studies processes and concepts are highlighted as well as integrated with other subject areas in order to help students acquire a full appreciation of the world around them. Children in grades 1 to 5 also receive special instruction in art, physical education, music, dance, cooking, computers, health, swimming, Hindi and Punjabi.
The continuous progress concept enables each child to advance as quickly as she/he can or as slowly as she/he finds necessary, depending only on her/his ability. Various modes of instruction, such as small group instruction, independent study, large group, and one-to-one instruction are provided by teachers to best suit the individual student.
The first and second grade program strengthens and builds upon what was highlighted within the first three years of our early childhood program and emphasizes a more structured approach to teaching the basic subjects. There is a major emphasis on the development of language, writing and arithmetic skills. Science, Social studies and Health are integrated and taught within the curriculum.
MIDDLE SCHOOL (GRADE 6 – GRADE 8)
Students in the Middle School study core courses and electives that build on the skills learned in primary school and that enable them to succeed in high school. The middle school faculty also recognizes that students are undergoing rapid changes in their social, academic, emotional, and physical development. Therefore, a supportive environment where students learn to take leadership roles is cultivated. Special parent teacher meetings are held throughout the year where parents, students and staff discuss issues relevant to this age group. The core academic program includes instruction in four major areas such as reading and language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. The reading and language arts curriculum provides a variety of writing opportunities ranging from journals, narratives and short stories to formal research papers. Written and oral work sharpens the students’ vocabulary, spelling, listening and speaking skills.
The Mathematics curriculum helps students become problem solves and builds a foundation for more advance math courses. The field and laboratory based Science curriculum focuses on physical and environmental issues and their inter-relationships. Students become actively involved in the scientific process as they investigate the world around them. In Social Studies, middle school students study history, government and world geography, which includes a study of the people and culture of Indian ancient civilization. Formal computer instruction in fully-equipped computer labs is an important part of the middle school compulsory curriculum along with music, art, dance and technology. Students also take physical education which includes instruction in swimming and wide variety of sports. There are many activities and clubs for students including swimming, chess, art, computer, basketball.
HIGH SCHOOL (GRADE 9 – GRADE 12)
The High School program provides a solid college preparatory program in which students are encouraged and challenged to grow academically and personally. Students courses deals academic disciplines including English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Art, Music, Home Economics, Computer Science and Physical Education.
The school preparatory program meets the needs of students planning to attend college or university after Grade Ten graduation. Special courses designed to meet the needs of students needing additional skill development are offered in many departments. The English program is designed to expose children to English in all its forms, through innovative and creative approaches. The students are able to engage with and enjoy language in all its variety and to understand, respond to and use oral, written and visual languages effectively in a range of contests. The resources used are stimulating and contemporary both in terms of structure and concepts.
The High School offers numerous co-curricular production opportunities, in order to enrich the students experience within the curriculum. This provides greater opportunity to develop and demonstrate the skills, techniques and knowledge which they are acquiring to develop further awareness of academic concepts of different subjects.