Teaching and Learning at KIST

Teaching and learning at KIST represents a partnership between our school, our students, and our parents. Our Teaching and Learning policy makes explicit the school expectations with regards to the roles of each stakeholder group in supporting learning.

view our Teaching and Learning Policy here [1]

With regards to our curricular programming, upon evaluating various curricula from around the world, KIST chose to adopt the world-renowned International Baccalaureate’s Primary Years Programme [2] (K1 to Grade 5), Middle Years Programme [3] (Grades 6 to 10) and Diploma Programme [4] (Grades 11 and 12) as the most appropriate curriculum frameworks for our school.

These IB programs focus on the total growth of the child, affecting hearts, as well as minds and addressing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to academic welfare. KIST believes that the inquiry-based approach to education provides students with the opportunity to take responsibility for their own learning. Class inquiries may take the form of:

Exploring, wondering and questioning.
Experimenting and playing with possibilities.
Researching and seeking information.
Collecting data and reporting findings.
Clarifying existing ideas and reappraising events.
Deepening understanding through the application of a concept or rule.
Making and testing theories.
Making predictions and acting purposefully to see what happens.
Elaborating on solutions to problems.

Through this approach we aim to guide students in developing problem solving skills and research skills that will allow them to not only cope with a rapidly changing world, but help them to become lifelong learners and productive members of our global community.

Overarching all three IB programmes is the learner profile which is defined by a list of behaviors that the programmes intend to develop in all children in all school cultures. The learner profile encourages children to be:

Attributes	Examples	Attributes	Examples
Inquirers	- Being curious about the world - Asking questions - Showing enthusiasm for learning	Principled	- Taking turns - Completing tasks on time - Being honest and fair - Doing the right thing
Thinkers	- Solving problems - Considering ideas - Finding creative solutions	Caring	- Showing respect - Being positive - Helping others
Communicators	- Sharing ideas - Listening to others - Helping others understand - Using different languages	Open-minded	- Being open to new experiences - Accepting differences - Appreciating others
Risk takers	- Always having a go - Being brave - Trying new things	Balanced	- Spending time doing many different things - Balancing study, exercise, fun and relaxation
Knowledgeable	- Learning about the world - Knowing different things - Connecting facts	Reflective	- Knowing strengths and areas to improve - Thinking about own learning

Curriculum explanation sessions are scheduled throughout the year for families to learn more about the nature of the curriculum, the learning methods focused on and other general expectations. All parents/guardians are encouraged to attend these sessions in order to gain the knowledge necessary to be able to provide appropriate support to their children.

"Study after study has shown that students who participate in IB programmes are better prepared academically for university-level courses, and are more likely to graduate (and graduate sooner) than other students. This year, more than one million IB students worldwide will have participated in the Diploma Programme. IB programmes, develop the intellectual rigour and personal, emotional and social skills students need to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world."

IB Higher Education Symposium, International Baccalaureate Organisation, 2015