Primary

As YCIS moves into 21st Century learning, our purpose-built Learning Communities allow students to dig deeper into self-directed learning. The development of "soft skills" (including communication, collaboration, cooperation, resilience and flexibility) is fostered and students move into more expansive thinking, as well as development of social skills. These learning spaces are flexible, open, transparent and can be used effectively by both large and small groups of students.

Learning Communities are ideal sized groupings (70-140) of students and teachers (including specialists and learning support), designed and organised to facilitate:

• Purposeful collaboration
• Integration of knowledge
• Spirit of belonging and connection

The physical spaces in which Learning Communities operate are flexible and cater for both individual and collective needs and responsibilities. There are spaces for quiet personal study and reflection, teamwork and conversation, and for small and large group instruction. These spaces, coupled with the furnishings, support the sharing of outcomes and the design and making of the physical manifestations of learning. The spaces within our Learning Communities enhance creative expression in all its forms.

Every teacher in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 ensures that each child is treated with the upmost care and respect. We provide a curriculum and learning programme that are both challenging and stimulating, ensuring that children enjoy the experience and feel a part of an ever-growing educational environment.

Through Character Education, the children acquire the skills to become responsible global citizens, as well as learn to take ownership of their learning. Our open Learning Communities environment helps to provide the students with a sense of well-being and confidence in communicating in two languages. Students are provided with many resources and opportunities, creating a stimulating atmosphere where creativity, exploration and imagination are greatly encouraged and developed.

Our bilingual teaching and learning programme in Upper Primary helps students develop the skills they need in English and Chinese to become proficient speakers. In each area of the Learning Communities, students immerse themselves in both languages, as Western and Chinese Co-Teachers facilitate learning and provide feedback.

Students are supported throughout the programme by differentiated classes and groups. YCIS provides services to students who qualify for our English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme and our level-based Chinese courses. We aim for our students to become capable communicators and confident risk-takers.

Learning Communities teams collaborate on, innovate, design and implement learning programmes that are:

• Engaging
• Interactive
• Conducive to creative and critical thinking

We draw on students' interest to create units of study that follow the standards based on the Yew Chung Curriculum. We find it important that students enjoy learning while exploring and retaining necessary foundational skills. Flexible Co-Teaching enables us to use fluid grouping within our space and across the year levels. This allows us to cater for individual needs to deepen understanding and embed concepts. We are also able to provide choices and a differentiated environment where each student can thrive.

Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do within our Learning Communities. Teachers openly collaborate on all aspects of learning, which in turn models excellent collaborative skills for the students. Teachers meet every day to discuss and share best practices, to reflect on the day's learning, to plan the next steps and to ensure that all students within the community are making the necessary progress in all aspects of their learning. As well as collaboration amongst teachers, collaboration amongst students is continually encouraged and improved. Students have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of personalities and nationalities in a variety of engaging projects, to help build their communication skills for now and the future.

The Arts (visual and performing arts, music and violin) are core to the YCIS programme. The Arts encourage students to see what they look at, hear what they listen to, and feel what they touch. Students seek, find and develop multiple solutions to problems, recognising that the world is filled with different possibilities and perspectives. Fine motor skills are developed through creating artwork and playing violin and other classroom musical instruments. Gross motor skills are developed through movement (dance) and exploration of space (drama).

Year 3 is the final year of the Violin Programme. Students are now playing more complex music, and performing as an ensemble throughout the year. Performing Arts is introduced from Year 4 and provide students with the opportunity to develop drama and dance-related skills, and have a basic understanding of the various disciplines. Self-discipline, including concentration, is important in the Arts subjects. In the Arts classrooms, students are learning and creating with others, and developing their collaborative skills. Learning is made visible through displays of student artwork, concert performances, and in Years 4, 5 and 6, through the recording and performance of musical compositions.

Here at Yew Chung International School of Beijing, we strive to make sure that Physical Education is taught to an excellent standard, with enjoyment at the heart of our ethos. Physical Education provides an understanding of health through play, competitive sport, high-quality curriculum provision, and out-of-hours learning.

Physical education adopts a holistic approach and provides children with the fundamental and unique opportunity to develop physically, psychologically, emotionally and socially through their participation in a range of physical activities. At YCIS Beijing, we adopt a positive and proactive approach to physical activity and healthy living across the school, which is reinforced to encourage and promote a long-lasting relationship with sport and physical education.

Primary students attend PE lessons each week, with many Upper Primary students participating in various inter-school competitions, including football, badminton, handball and swimming.

All year levels participate in field trips every year, in and around Beijing. The trips will be tied to what students are covering or working on in class. Trip destinations include the Green Cow Organic Farm, Prince Gong's Mansion, Beijing Puppet Theatre, Beijing Zoo, Capital Museum, Wali Park, Science Museum and Beijing Butterfly Farm.