Teaching Methods

At IBIS we use an integrated approach to learning, meaning that the areas of learning are taught through topics. The children work as a class, in small groups and individually. The children are encouraged to make choices in the different areas of sand, water, construction area, craft area and role play area. They are guided in choosing some activities for themselves. We encourage the children to use their interests and ideas in their learning; this helps them become independent learners. In this environment learning occurs both incidentally and in planned groups.
In Reception Class we combine an integrated day together with focused mathematical, reading and writing sessions. Towards the end of the year we teach literacy and numeracy for an hour each per day.
Play is a valued part of the Foundation Stage Curriculum. Through play children can explore, discover and develop learning experiences and practices. They are able to build up ideas, concepts and skil

Assessment

The children are assessed continually throughout the year to ensure progress in their learning. We respect the previous learning that each child brings to school and consider each child as an individual. We assess the children through observation, discussion and by looking at their work.
The Foundation Stage Profile is used as the basis of assessment. We record in it whenever a child achieves a specific early learning goal. Each of the following areas of learning is assessed:

• Personal, social and emotional development
  • disposition and attitudes
  • social development
  • emotional development
• Communication, language and literacy
  • language for communication and thinking
  • linking sounds and letters
  • reading
  • writing
• Mathematical development
  • numbers as labels for counting
  • calculating
  • shape, space and measures
• Knowledge and understanding of the world
• Physical development
• Creative development

The assessment process determines our planning and the next step in your child's learning.