Primary

English

Cassandra

Children learning how to read and write using various engaging methods is what the Cambridge Primary English Course is purposefully designed around.

Through this course, there are numerous activities which call for the learner to work individually, as well as with a partner or in a group, enabling them to express themselves individually with confidence and to become more accepting of other children’s point of view. This is how they develop the skills to become a well developed young learner in the Cambridge system.

Science

Shama

At Paradise School, we create a dynamic open model of education which is learner-centric. Keeping this approach in mind, in my science class, I facilitate an atmosphere of spontaneity and freedom. This involves the learners being engaged in active discussions about the given topic and get thoroughly involved in all the scientific enquiry activities.

This, I believe, stimulates their imagination and curiosity and permits young learners to absorb and learn enthusiastically at their own pace.

Math

Joanne

At Paradise, I enjoy teaching Mathematics as a creative endeavour and I work towards eliciting the learner’s analytical and calculative skills, connecting to real-life situations, and encouraging children to look beyond the pages of the textbook. 

My approach to teaching the Cambridge Mathematics Curriculum is based on thinking and working Mathematically, an approach which seeks to make sense of ideas and build connections to concepts. 

Global Perspectives

Shama

Cambridge Global Perspectives is a distinctive subject which emphasizes developing life skills such as collaboration and teamwork, critical thinking and problem solving, effective communication, reflection and so much more. These skills are taught through a wide range of topics using a personal, local and global perspective. 

Apart from creating a positive and empowering learning environment, I aim to encourage learners to understand that there is always more than one perspective to an issue, thus helping them to learn to appreciate the differences, which makes us all as individuals more unique and interesting. 

It is truly exhilarating to see young learners from different cultural backgrounds work collaboratively, self organize and come up with creative ideas to find a solution to a problem.

Digital Literacy

Sukriti

This subject is to familiarise as well as sensitise a generation of learners who are being born at the peak of the digital revolution to navigate the new world safely and with ease. It’s akin to impossible to live without devices and so the next best thing we can do is equip the younger generations with the correct tools to manoeuvre through these changes.

My way of teaching, as well as learning, revolves around hands-on practice and active research to understand revelations in the digital space in real time. The structure of teaching at Paradise aligns with these methods and brings out splendid results in the learners by allowing them to grow into aware and conscious Digital Citizens.

Spanish

Isa

The aim of the course is to develop an ability to use the language effectively for practical communication, to acquire the essential linguistic skills required for progression to further studies or employment, and to offer insights into the culture of countries where Spanish is spoken, thus encouraging positive attitudes towards language learning and towards speakers of other languages.

The program is based on the linked language skills of listening, reading, speaking, and writing and these are built on as learners progress through their studies.

Art

Isa

The Cambridge Primary Art and Design course provides a platform for personal expression, imagination, creativity and encourages learners to embrace every opportunity to pursue their own ideas through their artistic work.

Its programme brings together skills and intellectual thought processes from across the curriculum, with the aim of helping the learners to explore and push boundaries to become reflective, critical, and decisive thinkers able to articulate personal responses to their experiences and to think about how their artistic development will support them throughout all areas of their education.

The focus is that they work with increasing autonomy to produce individual outcomes that articulate personal responses to stimuli, the available materials and their own imaginations. 

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Lower Primary

Natasha

We have been working on the social and emotional competencies of the lower primary students. The programme is one created in Johannesburg and is called Cool To Be Me. The program aims at helping students learn skills such as self awareness, self management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. The learners work on developing these skills through storytelling and interaction with one another. The aim is to assist our young learners in identifying and understanding their emotions, have healthy interactions with each other and create a safe environment for them to thrive in.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Upper Primary

Natasha

We have been working on the social and emotional competencies of the Upper Primary students. The program is one created in the U.S and is called SHAKTI Warriors. The programme aims at helping students learn skills such as self awareness, self management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making. A very novel (and critical) conversation has begun about emotional and social well- being, climate change and the role students play in healing themselves, their community, and the world around them. Ultimately, the goal of the program is to bring children to prosocial action, equip them with skills to contribute to their communities and make better decisions for themselves, all while having supportive and like minded adults guiding them through the process.