Elementary School

In our literacy program, students are encouraged to use the English language to express their thoughts, ideas, and needs in a supportive environment. Through a variety of engaging activities, children develop phonological awareness, phonics skills, and word recognition, laying a strong foundation for reading. We foster a love of storytelling and reading by immersing students in a rich variety of books and texts. As students progress, they build comprehension skills and learn to thoughtfully respond to stories and information. Early writing skills are also developed, empowering children to communicate their ideas in written form.

Our life skills curriculum is designed to promote positive attitudes toward learning and to support the development of essential physical and social abilities. Students strengthen their fine motor skills and coordination through hands-on activities, while also developing gross motor skills through movement and play. We place a strong emphasis on working and playing cooperatively, helping children learn to collaborate and contribute constructively in group settings. Additionally, students are guided in recognizing and regulating their own emotions and behaviors, building a foundation for self-awareness and resilience.

The numeracy program introduces students to foundational mathematical concepts in a fun and accessible way. Children develop an understanding of numbers and numerals up to 20, and are encouraged to make simple estimates as they explore measurement. Through hands-on activities, students investigate patterns, learning to identify, sort, and describe common attributes. Shape recognition, naming, and matching are also emphasized, helping students become familiar with basic geometric concepts.

Science learning in the early years focuses on developing a range of thinking and inquiry skills. Students are encouraged to solve problems, ask questions, experiment, hypothesize, and investigate the world around them. By using simple tools and participating in hands-on activities, children connect classroom learning to real-world experiences, fostering curiosity and a love for scientific discovery.
 

Our curriculum is enriched by a series of broad, engaging inquiry themes. Students explore who they are as individuals and members of a community, learn about caring for the planet and the importance of environmental stewardship, investigate how the world around them works, and discover creative ways to express themselves. These areas of inquiry help students make meaningful connections across disciplines and develop a holistic understanding of their world.

In Reception, our reading program focuses on building strong foundational skills. Children develop phonological and phonemic awareness, which helps them recognize and manipulate the sounds in words. Through systematic phonics and decoding instruction, students learn to connect letters with sounds, enabling them to read new words with increasing confidence. As their skills grow, we emphasize reading fluency to ensure students can read smoothly and with expression. Expanding vocabulary is a key component, as children are introduced to new words in context. Comprehension strategies are taught to help students understand, discuss, and enjoy the stories and information they read.

Writing in Reception is an exciting journey where every child is encouraged to become a storyteller. Students begin by crafting narratives, learning to write for readers by sharing their own experiences and imaginative tales. They also explore informational writing, discovering how to teach others through their words. As the year progresses, children are introduced to persuasive writing, using language to express opinions and make a change. Throughout, we support students in developing their ability to organize ideas, use appropriate vocabulary, and communicate clearly in writing.

Our phonics instruction is designed to give students a solid foundation in early reading and writing. Children learn to recognize and write the letters of the alphabet, and are introduced to longer words as their skills progress. We explore digraphs—combinations of two letters that make a single sound—and the VCe pattern (vowel-consonant-e, as in "cake"), helping students decode more complex words. This structured approach ensures that children build confidence and accuracy in both reading and spelling.

The math curriculum in Reception covers a range of essential concepts. Students develop counting skills and an understanding of cardinality, learning how numbers represent quantities. They are introduced to basic operations and algebraic thinking, exploring simple addition and subtraction through hands-on activities. Measurement and data concepts are explored as students compare lengths, weights, and volumes, and begin to collect and interpret simple data. Geometry is introduced through the exploration of shapes and spatial relationships, while number and operations in base ten lay the groundwork for future mathematical learning.

Science in Reception is all about discovery and exploration. Students learn about weather, observing and describing different types of weather and how it affects their daily lives. The concepts of force and motion are introduced through playful experiments and activities. Children also study plants and animals, learning about their characteristics, needs, and the environments in which they live. This hands-on approach fosters curiosity and encourages students to ask questions about the world around them.

Our social studies program helps children understand their place in the world and their role as citizens. Students learn about citizenship, exploring what it means to be a responsible and caring member of their community. Through the study of "Then & Now," children compare life in the past with the present. They explore different types of communities, learn about the wider world, and celebrate various cultures. These experiences help students appreciate diversity and develop a sense of belonging.

In Grade 1, our reading program is designed to build strong, independent readers through a variety of engaging units. Students begin by developing good reading habits and strategies for tackling new words as “Word Detectives.” They expand their knowledge by reading nonfiction texts and learning about the world around them. Throughout the year, students focus on phonics and fluency to become more confident readers. They explore stories by meeting memorable characters and learning important life lessons, and they are introduced to poetry and Readers Theater, which helps build expression and comprehension. Each unit is crafted to foster a love of reading and to develop the skills necessary for lifelong literacy.

Grade 1 students embark on a rich writing journey, starting with “Small Moment Stories” that encourage them to write about their own experiences. They learn to create “How-To” books, sharing their knowledge with others, and practice persuasive letter writing to express opinions and make requests. Students also write reviews, learning to articulate their thoughts about books and experiences, and move from writing individual scenes to creating a series of connected stories. The year concludes with poetry writing, allowing students to experiment with language and express their creativity in new ways.

Our phonics program in Grade 1 provides systematic instruction to support reading and spelling development. Students review the alphabet and progress to reading longer words, learning about digraphs and VCe (vowel-consonant-e) words. They explore ending spelling patterns, long vowel teams, and other vowel combinations, as well as diphthongs. This comprehensive approach ensures that students gain confidence in decoding and spelling a wide range of words, building a strong foundation for literacy.

The Grade 1 math curriculum covers a broad spectrum of foundational concepts. Students develop counting skills and work with addition through hands-on activities and number stories. They explore length and addition, build an understanding of place value, and practice both addition and subtraction strategies. Geometry is introduced through the study of shapes and spatial relationships, and students advance to two-digit addition by the end of the year. Each unit is designed to make math meaningful and accessible, encouraging problem-solving and critical thinking.

Science in Grade 1 invites students to explore the natural world through three engaging units. They study plants and animals, learning about life cycles, habitats, and the needs of living things. In the “Air and Weather” unit, students observe and describe weather patterns and learn about the properties of air. The year concludes with an exploration of sound and light, where students investigate how these forces work in everyday life. Hands-on experiments and observations help students develop curiosity and scientific thinking.

Our social studies curriculum in Grade 1 helps students understand their roles as citizens and members of a community. They begin the year learning about citizenship and the responsibilities that come with it. In the “Changes, Then and Now” unit, students compare the past and present, gaining an appreciation for history and how communities evolve. The year ends with an introduction to geography, where students learn about maps, places, and the world around them. These experiences help students develop a sense of belonging and global awareness.

In Grade 2, students deepen their reading skills by exploring a variety of texts and genres. They learn to understand and connect with characters, drawing insights from both fiction and nonfiction materials. As they encounter longer stories, students practice strategies for comprehension and retention. They are introduced to different book genres, broadening their literary experiences and preferences. Collaborative reading activities encourage students to read together, discuss ideas, and learn more from each other, fostering a supportive and enthusiastic reading community.

Grade 2 writers continue to build their skills by crafting “Small Moment Stories” that capture personal experiences in detail. They expand their abilities by creating nonfiction chapter books, learning to organize information and present facts clearly. Opinion writing is introduced, empowering students to express their viewpoints and support them with reasons. Additionally, students engage in research-based nonfiction writing, developing the ability to gather information and share their discoveries in a structured format.

The phonics program in Grade 2 focuses on more advanced spelling and decoding skills. Students study common ending parts of words, explore complex vowel patterns, and learn about various letter combinations. Instruction in affixes—prefixes and suffixes—helps students decode and understand new words, strengthening both their reading and writing abilities.

Grade 2 math emphasizes building strong foundational skills in addition and subtraction. Students are encouraged to explain their mathematical thinking, developing reasoning and communication skills. They learn to use a variety of tools and strategies to solve problems, fostering independence and confidence in their mathematical abilities.

In science, Grade 2 students investigate key concepts through hands-on exploration. They learn about earth changes, such as weathering and erosion, and study the properties of solids and liquids. The curriculum also covers plants and insects, allowing students to observe life cycles, adaptations, and the roles these organisms play in the environment.

The social studies program introduces students to important themes in geography, culture, and civics. Students learn to read and interpret maps, explore the diversity of cultures around the world, and discuss the responsibilities of citizens in their communities. These lessons help students develop a sense of place, respect for others, and an understanding of how societies function.
 

In Grade 3, students are guided to build a rich and independent reading life, exploring both fiction and nonfiction texts. They engage in character studies, delve into the world of mysteries to strengthen foundational reading skills, and read biographies to learn about inspiring individuals. Through research clubs, students collaborate to investigate nonfiction topics, developing their ability to gather and synthesize information. This balanced approach helps students deepen comprehension, expand their vocabulary, and discover the joy of reading across a range of genres.

Grade 3 writers embark on a journey of self-expression and discovery through a variety of writing experiences. They craft true stories in narrative form, develop their skills in information writing, and learn to write literary essays that express opinions about texts. Students revisit narrative writing with imaginative stories and tackle opinion pieces focused on changing the world. Research-based writing projects further strengthen their ability to communicate ideas clearly and support them with evidence, preparing students for more advanced writing in the years ahead.

The word study program in Grade 3 provides a comprehensive foundation in language skills. Students explore parts of speech, grammar, and punctuation to enhance both their writing and reading. Phonics and spelling instruction continue to build decoding and encoding skills, while vocabulary development and morphology (the study of word parts and their meanings) help students unlock the meaning of new and complex words.

Grade 3 math introduces students to a range of important concepts and skills. They learn to use math tools effectively, tell time, and begin multiplication. Through number stories and arrays, students develop a deeper understanding of operations. The curriculum covers measurement, geometry, fractions, and strategies for multiplication and division. As students progress, they tackle multi digit operations, building a strong foundation for future mathematical learning and problem-solving.

In science, Grade 3 students explore the physical and natural world through hands-on investigations. They study forces and motion, weather and climate, and the structures of life. These units encourage curiosity, observation, and critical thinking, helping students make connections between scientific concepts and their everyday experiences.

The social studies curriculum in Grade 3 invites students to explore the relationship between people and their environment. They learn about the land and the way we live, study the lives of children around the world, and examine how individuals and groups can make a difference in changing the world. Through these studies, students develop a broader understanding of global citizenship and cultural diversity.

Grade 4 students engage in a rich and diverse reading program that deepens their comprehension and critical thinking. They begin the year interpreting characters and exploring how stories reflect both themes and the wider world. As the year progresses, students delve into historical texts, participate in historical fiction book clubs, and examine important social justice issues through literature. This approach encourages students to make connections between texts and real-world events, broadening their perspectives and fostering empathy.

In Grade 4, students further develop their writing skills across a variety of genres. They learn to craft realistic fiction stories, write informational books about weather, and organize their opinions using the “Boxes & Bullets” structure. Students bring history to life by creating hybrid texts that blend narrative and informational writing, and they experiment with storytelling through graphic novels. The year culminates with the writing of literary essays, giving students the opportunity to express and support their opinions about texts they have read.

The word study program in Grade 4 focuses on building vocabulary and understanding word structure to enhance reading and writing. Students study the conventions of English grammar and practice sentence fluency by combining sentences in effective ways. Emphasis is placed on editing and proofreading for clarity and precision, helping students become more confident and independent writers.

Grade 4 math covers a wide range of foundational and advanced topics. Students strengthen their understanding of place value and multi-digit addition and subtraction, and build skills in multiplication and geometry. They explore fractions and decimals, multi-digit multiplication, and computation with fractions and mixed numbers, including measurement. The curriculum also covers topics such as division, angles, and the multiplication of fractions by whole numbers, culminating in more complex fraction operations and their applications. This comprehensive approach prepares students for higher-level math and problem-solving.

The science curriculum in Grade 4 invites students to investigate major scientific concepts through hands-on learning. Students explore Earth’s changes, study the human body and its amazing systems, and learn about different forms of energy. The year concludes with a focus on renewable energy resources, encouraging students to think about sustainability and the impact of science on our daily lives.

In social studies, Grade 4 students become thoughtful and informed citizens. They begin by learning about digital citizenship and responsible technology use. The curriculum then explores Vietnam’s history, geography, resources, and economy, helping students understand the country’s past and present. Students also examine what it means to be active citizens of Vietnam, fostering a sense of community and national pride.

In Grade 5, students are guided toward greater intellectual independence as readers. They begin the year in interpretation book clubs, practicing close reading and analyzing how authors develop themes and characters in fiction. As the curriculum progresses, students tackle increasingly complex nonfiction texts, developing strategies for understanding challenging material and learning foundational skills such as fluency and word solving. Book clubs focused on close reading and research help students deepen their comprehension and collaborate with peers. Through argument and advocacy units, students read complex nonfiction to research debatable issues, evaluate arguments, and formulate evidence-based positions. The year concludes with fantasy book clubs, where students immerse themselves in the genre, exploring themes, symbolism, and character development, and thinking both metaphorically and analytically.

Grade 5 writers hone their craft across a range of genres. They begin with narrative writing, crafting personal stories and developing their voice through drafting, revising, and editing. Journalism is introduced, allowing students to explore informational writing and report on real-world events. Literary essays and research-based argument writing help students articulate and defend their opinions with evidence, while fantasy writing encourages creativity and the development of imaginative worlds and characters. Throughout the year, students draw on mentor texts, conduct research, and write for real-life purposes and audiences, building agency and independence as writers.

The word study program in Grade 5 focuses on expanding vocabulary and understanding the structure of words through morphology, including prefixes, roots, and suffixes. Students continue to develop their spelling skills and explore idioms and homonyms to enhance both reading and writing. Grammar instruction is integrated, emphasizing conventions and usage to support clear and effective communication.

Grade 5 math builds on foundational skills while introducing more advanced concepts. Students develop their understanding of area and volume, and extend their knowledge of whole number place value and operations. The curriculum covers fractions—concepts, addition, subtraction, and operations—as well as decimal concepts and coordinate grids. Students engage in investigations involving measurement, multiplication and division of mixed numbers, geometry, and graphing. The year emphasizes applying mathematical concepts to solve real-world problems and deepens students’ ability to reason, compute, and communicate mathematically.

The Grade 5 science curriculum spans physical, life, and earth sciences. Students begin the year exploring the interactions of matter, including states, properties, and changes. They investigate life science concepts through the study of ecosystems and the interdependence of living things. The curriculum also covers earth’s systems, such as weather, water cycles, and natural resources, and extends to earth’s place in the universe, examining planetary systems and the broader cosmos. Hands-on experiments and inquiry-based learning are central to fostering curiosity and scientific thinking.

In social studies, Grade 5 students explore the five themes of geography, gaining an understanding of how people interact with their environment. They learn about Native American cultures, the journeys of explorers like Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus, and the early settlements in America. The curriculum emphasizes inquiry-based learning, encouraging students to investigate compelling questions, conduct research, and present their findings. Through these studies, students develop critical thinking skills, a deeper understanding of history and culture, and a sense of global citizenship.