Middle School Curriculum
The Cambridge International School curriculum is the cornerstone of our educational approach at ISR. Through this well-founded curriculum and our highly qualified teachers from around the world, we prepare our students in the best possible way for their preferred universities and a successful future. The Cambridge Pathway is a reliable guide, ensuring that our students achieve academic excellence through a carefully structured curriculum. Our commitment to excellence is evident in the comprehensiveness of the subjects we offer and our structured teaching method. The Cambridge curriculum is a powerful tool for igniting in students a deep-rooted passion for learning and knowledge.
English
At ISR, the English Department is thriving with a multitude of exceptional initiatives designed to empower students in their language journey. Our department boasts two dynamic programs, tailored to meet the needs of both native-level English speakers and English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners, ensuring that every student’s linguistic development is nurtured.
We are proud to adhere to the esteemed Cambridge curriculum, renowned worldwide for its rigorous standards and comprehensive language education. By aligning our programs with this framework, we ensure that our students receive an internationally recognized education that prepares them for academic success and beyond. The curriculum’s emphasis on critical analysis, research skills, and cultural understanding enriches our students’ learning experiences and prepares them to thrive in an interconnected world.
Under the Cambridge curriculum, our native-level English program dedicates itself to cultivating proficiency in composition, comprehension, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and oral presentation. With a focus on developing well-rounded language skills, our students engage in captivating activities and interactive lessons that promote critical thinking, creative expression, and effective communication. We empower our students to reach their full potential and embark on a lifelong love for language and literature.
Within the EAL program, the Cambridge curriculum serves as a guiding light, providing a structured pathway for our learners to enhance their English proficiency. By following the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (A1, A2, B1), our students progress through three distinct courses, each designed to meet their unique needs and facilitate their gradual integration into the native-level program. This systematic approach ensures that every student receives tailored support and experiences a smooth transition as they advance in their language journey.
Recognizing the importance of holistic education, the EAL program extends beyond English classes. We go the extra mile to provide additional support during Science and Social Studies lessons, ensuring that our EAL learners can confidently access and engage with the course content. This comprehensive approach guarantees that our students are well-equipped not only in language proficiency but also in their academic pursuits across various subjects.
With a commitment to excellence, innovation, and inclusivity, the English Department at ISR continuously strives to uplift students’ language skills, foster a love for literature, and create an environment where every learner can thrive. Join us on this remarkable journey, as we celebrate linguistic diversity, cultural appreciation, and the limitless power of words.
German
German at ISR has two distinct programs, one for native level German speakers, and one for German as a Foreign Language learners.
The native level language program follows the state curriculum of North Rhine-Westphalia (“Kerncurriculum NRW”) and integrates the study of classical German literature & novels starting in Grade 5 and continuing through Grade 12. Teachers follow the curriculum and materials of the gymnasium course. The program has two distinct levels, Regular, and Differentiation.
The German as a Foreign language program has three distinct courses, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced, which integrate students of all levels into the course appropriate for their ability.
Mathematics
At ISR, we take great pride in nurturing students’ mathematical abilities. By fostering a love for mathematics and providing a solid foundation, we pave the way for our students to confidently embark on their educational journey, equipped with the necessary skills to thrive. The Cambridge curriculum, that we have implemented in our school, is a valuable tool in this effort, fostering a love for math and providing a strong foundation. One remarkable feature of our curriculum is its smooth progression from grades 5 to 8. As students move through these grades, they encounter increasingly challenging topics, building a solid foundation and improving their math skills along the way.
Equally significant is how our middle school curriculum is carefully designed to prepare students for the upcoming IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) and IB (International Baccalaureate) programs in the upper school. By establishing a strong and comprehensive foundation, we equip our students with the essential knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to excel in these advanced academic pathways.
The Cambridge curriculum acts as a catalyst, guiding students in constructing a strong mathematical framework that helps them tackle the demands of the IGCSE and IB programs. Through well-aligned content, gradual difficulty levels, and a focus on conceptual understanding, we lay the groundwork for their future success.
To further fuel our student’s passion for math, we actively encourage participation in international Math competitions. Throughout the year, students have opportunities to showcase their skills and knowledge on a global stage, either voluntarily or by invitation. This reinforces their math expertise and fosters a healthy spirit of competition.
We are committed to providing an enriching math education that empowers our students to thrive!
Science
Science in Middle School is taught as a general course. Units of study include topics in biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. Middle School students have one practical Science period in the lab each week, which is used to further engage critical thinking and hands-on participation with experiments and analysis studies.
The Middle School Science Fair is an annual event that allows students to investigate a specific scientific question of their choice, conduct research and present their findings to the school community. Top projects are entered into local & regional Science Fair competitions!
Our Approach to Digitalization in Class
At ISR, we firmly believe that technology has an essential role in the classroom when used responsibly. We believe that technology is a valuable tool to complement rather than substitute teaching. While we emphasize the importance of handwriting skills, we also strive to provide classroom-based opportunities for children to embrace and explore the benefits of technological advancements such as AI, Virtual Reality, and Programming.
Computing Curriculum
In our Middle School, we have developed a comprehensive Computing Curriculum that ensures our students engage with technology early and safely. Digital safety is a vital topic that is thoroughly discussed and taught across all grades. Our students use computers to create and store digital content, develop problem-solving skills, and work with software to enhance their English, Math, Science, and Art abilities.
- Students learn about the importance of keeping personal information private and create comic strips about online safety.
- They also learn to work with Office 365 and how to use school email accounts.
- In addition, they create PowerPoint presentations and Forms in Office 365. The students also use Scratch to create more complex projects – Scratch is an educational visual programming language for children that works with Microsoft Word and employs 2Design and Make to create innovative projects.
- They also work with the programs 2Design and Make. These are programs from the Purplemash learning platform. Purplemash is a cross-curricular website and allows students to explore and expand their knowledge in a fun and creative way. The website offers an exciting mix of curriculum-based activities, creative tools, programs, and games. To further strengthen their programming skills, they learn how to use Kodu to create their own games. Kodu Game Lab is a 3D game development environment that is designed to teach kids basic programming principles. Kodu allows creators to build the world’s terrain, populate it with characters and props, and then program their behaviors and game rules in a bespoke visual programming language.
- Students learn netiquette, which describes the rules of conduct for respectful and appropriate communication online and how to stay safe online.
- They use Scratch to create complex projects and quizzes, as well as their own movies. Scratch is the world’s largest coding community for kids and a simple, visual programming language that makes it easy for young people to create digital stories, games, and animations
- In addition, they learn more about Office 365 apps and use Teams.
- The students also practice using Excel and creating formulas and charts.
Beginning in 7th grade, ISR offers a number of extracurricular activities in addition to regular classes that further develop students’ skills and knowledge in this rapidly growing field. One of the most popular activities is the coding club, where students develop their programming skills and create their own programs and games. These activities not only teach valuable technical skills, but also foster teamwork, problem-solving skills, and creativity.
- Students explore the impact of technology on our daily lives. This includes topics such as account security, cyberbullying, researching, the credibility of sources, licensing appropriate images, and using presentation tools.
- Students will also learn about audiovisual representations and how images and sound are processed on computers.
- They will also focus on spreadsheets, learning about functions, formulas, and conditional formatting.
- They will also delve into computing systems, including AI, machine learning, and generative AI.
- The students will also use MIT App Inventor to create applications for Android phones and will explore physical computing using Micro bits.
The skills learned in this term will be applied to other areas of computing in year 8, such as programming and web design, as students will be able to create more secure and credible online content. By understanding the basics of technology and its impact on, society. The students will be better equipped to navigate the digital world and make informed decisions about their online presence.
The computing curriculum covers a range of exciting topics that will give students a solid foundation in computer science.
- They will focus on Cybersecurity and Web Design.
- Students will learn about social media platforms, cyber threats, and how to protect their data. They will also build websites and apps using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These skills are essential in today’s digital age, where online safety and web development are becoming increasingly important.
- In addition, the students will be introduced to Python programming. They will learn about variables, functions, and loops, which are fundamental concepts in programming. Python is a popular programming language used in many industries, including finance, healthcare, and technology.
- They will also explore lists, dictionaries, and data, which are essential for data analysis and manipulation.
- The students will also dive into 3D modeling, and animation using Blender, and will also examine 3D Printing. Students will learn how to create and manipulate 3D objects, and bring them to life through animation. They will also explore the world of game development with Unity, where they can create and explore 3D worlds. These skills are not only fun and engaging, but also have practical applications in fields such as architecture, engineering, and media.
Social Studies
Social Studies in Middle School is taught as a general course. Units of study include Ancient History, Modern History, Geography, Business, Economics, and Political Systems. Each of these units of study lays the foundation for students to further study topics in-depth in Upper School. Project work allows the students to further explore areas of special interest. Additionally, local German content in history, politics, and institutions is integrated into German lessons in Grades 7 – 8.
French, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese
Beginning in Grade 6, students choose between French, Spanish (starting from beginner level) and Japanese or Chinese (for native speakers), as their third language. As is the case with both English and German, third language classes focus on developing students’ skills in reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, oral response, and writing and cultural awareness.
Enrichment Courses
Art, Music (vocal and instrumental), Computing, and Physical Education round out the academic program at ISR. These courses are required in Grades 5 – 8 and expose the students to the liberal arts, giving them a broad base of subjects to choose from in Grades 9 – 12.
Advising
Middle School students have one period per week of Advising. This course is taught by the Academic Heads or Homeroom teachers and covers a wide variety of age appropriate and relevant topics. Here are a few examples of topics covered in Advising lessons!
• Study skills
• Time management
• Stress management
• Career explorations and volunteering
• Bullying & friendships
• Health education
• Growth mindset
• Empathy
• World issues
• Global citizenship
ISR International School on the Rhine
