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Curriculum Philosophy & Broad Overall Scope of Curriculum
At VIBGYOR High we offer the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) curriculum to our students. The uniqueness of this curriculum lies in the fact that it is specifically designed keeping the VIBGYOR philosophy in mind. It is a juxtaposition of our philosophy and learning objectives laid down by the ICSE board.The most critical element of our curriculum design is the student and what we want him/her to learn. Thus, the focal point of our curriculum is the learner’s needs and the relevance of the curriculum to meet those needs. Our curriculum framework is flexible and activity based and aids in strengthening the student’s essential understanding over the years.
The development of our curriculum is based on the application of four basic principles:
- Defining appropriate learning objectives.
- Establishing useful learning experiences.
- Organising learning experiences to have a maximum cumulative effect.
- Evaluating the curriculum and revising certain aspects and concepts to suit the needs of the students. The revising of the curriculum is an ongoing process to make it more effective.
The ICSE (Indian Certificate for Secondary Education) curriculum at VIBGYOR High caters to students in the age group of 6-15 years. It is primarily divided into 2 groups
Primary Level – Grades 1 to 4
Secondary Level –Grades 5 to 10
Both the Primary and Secondary levels of our ICSE curriculum are based on the following approaches:
- Integrated Curriculum
- Interdisciplinary Approach
- Experiential Learning
- Research Work
- Professional Talk
- Primary Curriculum - Grades 1 to 4
Primary Curriculum - Grades 1 to 4
The Primary curriculum is tailor-made to cater to the different Grade levels from 1 to 4 and designed in such a way that it promotes conceptual learning and understanding, and also encourages critical inquiry. Our school curriculum focuses on building and deepening the understanding of students.
The Integrated Curriculum Approach is a vital part of teaching in the Primary Grades 1- 4. Subjects like Social Science are taught integrating Social Studies, Environmental Education and Science in it. Social Science would thus have topics like Physical Features of India, Food and the Digestive system, Simple Machines, Safety and First Aid, and Community Helpers. Life Skills lessons are also interwoven into the curriculum like a Session on Bullying while reading the text ‘Malgudi Schooldays’.
The Primary curriculum draws on two or more academic disciplines, thus using the Interdisciplinary Approach. It builds and reinforces the concepts through the process of integration. Eg. In Grade 4 Language Arts, the reading comprehension on ‘Sunita Williams’ is integrated with the Social Science unit - Achievers.
Theme based approach is used in subjects like Social Science whereby the theme encompasses the units within. Eg. In Grade 1, the theme “Fun under the Sun” covers units like Plants around Me, Animals around Me, The Sky, Weather and Seasons.
To give the students a hands-on knowledge, understanding and experience, field trips to a Planetarium, Textile Mills, and Radio Stations etc. are organised. These trips are related to the topics taught in class and provide experiential learning to our students. The students gain a better insight into the subjects being taught through hands-on learning. Activities like measuring objects using body parts while learning maths or by simply making a Story Book while reading the text “The Cat in the Hat”, enhances their knowledge.
The students are also trained and encouraged to research a given topic from books, encyclopaedias, newspapers and the internet.
Professional talks are organised to augment the students’ understanding of various topics. Guest speakers like doctors, engineers and veterinarians help garner awareness amongst students. Fire drills are also conducted to make students aware of the Dos and Don’ts during a fire.
To enhance the learning process, teaching aids like flash cards, educational board games, PowerPoint presentations and other audio-visual aids are used. In Literature, movies related to the text being read are shown. In Math, Flashcards on topics like Ascending and Descending Order, Roman Numerals, PowerPoint presentations on Addition and Multiplication are used.
Secondary Level Curriculum
At VIBGYOR High, the search for an ideal educational environment is an ongoing process as we strive to raise the bar with every step we take. We believe in creating an educational ambience where the child is challenged to be independent, well-equipped and confident to enter any walk of life.
The Integrated curriculum approach at our school promotes a student-centred approach to education and further the learning process. Eg. In Grade 6 History, the unit Indus Valley Civilization is integrated with different subjects as follows:
- Geography- Locating Indus valley sites on the map
- Science- Understanding the use of Bitumen to make the Great Bath waterproof
- English- Deciphering the Harappan script
- Art- Making models, seals, jewellery, toys, and figurines
- Environmental Education- Understanding the concept of desertification
Activities like the making of the model of the Harappan city, enhances the students’ knowledge through hands-on learning. Experiential learning is also emphasised by making of models of Kaleidoscopes, poster-making activity on movement in plants, making of a scrap book on the role of Chemistry in your life, creating HTML documents, making PowerPoint presentations on a renowned author, and preparing a picture glossary in Geography.
Field trips to the zoo, botanical/nature parks, museum/places of historical interest, and Science centre also give the students a hands-on knowledge, understanding and experience.
Research work is encouraged where students are asked to surf the net, scan newspapers/magazines at home, gain information from the books, encyclopaedias and collect information about different topics. Students are also trained to prepare case studies on the same.
A professional talk by industry personnel not only adds credibility but also enhances the students’ understanding on the various topics taught in class. Eg. A guest lecture on the human body system and the reproductive system helps to create awareness on the changing phases of the human body.
The learning process is further enriched by the use of audio-visual aids, Flashcards, PowerPoint presentations and Videos. This encourages a brainstorming approach to learning. Eg. In Science, a PowerPoint presentation on the skeletal system is used to give a better insight on the topic in Biology.
In keeping with the VIBGYOR philosophy, Home notes for Grades 5 to 7 have been designed keeping in mind the students needs, abilities and interest. This come as a welcome alternative to played out prescribed text books. The Home Notes have been carefully crafted and graded in consonance with the objectives of ICSE curriculum. As an interactive, fun-filled and child-friendly resource material, it is a venture with a difference.
For Grades 8 to 10, the best recommended textbooks and study materials that align with the ICSE objectives are chosen and are given out to the students. The implementation of various units is planned with the use of various teaching strategies as well as teaching aids, making learning an overall rich experience.
The assessment patterns come as a breath of fresh air to an educational system that is stifling our children with rote learning of heavy chunks of the syllabus. Instead, stress free tools of Assessment have been planned in each term. These tests have been creatively designed and will not only assess the cognitive skills of children but also their values and creativity; all of which are needed for holistic learning. The tests cater to ongoing, comprehensive evaluation.
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