Developing lifelong learners and future leaders
In addition to weekly Mandarin, STEAM and PBL classes, CTIS students have classes in eight different subject groups:
- Language and Literature (Japanese)
- Language Acquisition (English)
- Mathematics
- Individuals and Societies
- Science
- Arts
- Design
- Physical and Health Education
In each subject group, CTIS learners develop their knowledge, understanding, and skills through inquiry-based learning and collaboration. Assessment of learners’ understanding and application and teacher feedback is ongoing, and learners present their learning in a variety of different ways including tests, presentations, reports, and creating media such as videos, websites, and posters. A real emphasis is placed on using the knowledge, understanding and skills learned in classes to examine and address real-world problems such as climate change, inequality, and discrimination. Our broad, balanced and relevant curriculum will give our learners a meaningful and holistic experience that encourages and supports them in becoming lifelong learners and future leaders in an ever-changing and increasingly complex world.
Language and Literature (Japanese)
Learners develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills by analyzing a range of different fiction and non-fiction texts presented through different types of media. Learners will show their understanding and demonstrate their analysis and skills through presentations, discussions, creative writing and other activities. To develop international mindedness and to allow learners to use and develop understanding and skills from other subjects, learners will engage with texts from different cultures and different historical periods.
Language Acquisition (English)
Learners will gain proficiency in a second or additional language and learn more about the countries and cultures where the language is used. Through a variety of activities such as role plays, projects and performances and by engaging with different kinds of media, learners will not only improve their communication skills in another language, but also develop a love and curiosity for studying in that language. By helping learners to become bilingual or multilingual learners we expect CTIS learners to also extend their intercultural understanding and enhance their ability to adapt to different situations, especially those in foreign countries or other international settings.
Mathematics
Mathematics classes cover four main branches of study:
- Numerical and abstract reasoning
- Thinking with models
- Spatial reasoning
- Reasoning with data
Each branch of study will require learners to solve problems in familiar and unfamiliar situations through analysis and inquiry. This includes authentic real life examples from business and examples linked to social or environmental issues. Learners will also explore mathematics through links with other subject groups and use their mathematical knowledge, understanding and skills to explore and solve problems in many different classes in addition to mathematics.
To ensure learners have a sufficient breadth and depth of mathematics study, CTIS math courses align with the content requirements and general capabilities expected of learners outlined in the Australian national curriculum.
Individuals and Societies (I&S)
I&S classes include disciplines which are studied in humanities or social science classes. In I&S classes learners are encouraged to respect and understand the world around them and develop skills which allow different societies, systems and environments to be examined and analyzed with consideration of different historical, geographical, social, cultural and economic factors.
I&S classes will also support students in appreciating the diversity of human culture, attitudes and beliefs. The approach taken to studying I&S by CTIS learners includes a strong focus on inquiry and investigation. Students will collect, describe and analyze data; test hypotheses; and learn how to interpret increasingly complex information, including original source material. This focus on real-world examples, research and analysis is an essential part of I&S classes and will be relevant to our learners’ lives.
Sciences
With inquiry at its core, science classes at CTIS aim to guide students to independently and collaboratively investigate issues through research, observation and experimentation. The CTIS integrated science curriculum covers biology, chemistry, physics and earth and space science, and explores the connections between science and everyday life. As CTIS learners investigate real examples of science applications, they discover the relationship science has with morality, ethics, culture, economics, politics, and the environment.
The scientific inquiries students complete foster critical and creative thinking about research and design and enable learners to identify assumptions and alternative explanations. Through science classes, CTIS learners therefore learn to appreciate and respect the ideas of others, develop ethical-reasoning skills and further develop their sense of responsibility as members of local and global communities by taking action.
To ensure students complete a broad and balanced study of all science disciplines CTIS science courses are designed to incorporate the content requirements and general capabilities of the Australian national curriculum.
Arts
Arts classes at CTIS seek to stimulate young imaginations, challenge perceptions and develop creative and analytical skills. Involvement in the arts encourages learners to understand the arts in context and the cultural histories of artworks, thus supporting the development of an inquiring and empathetic world view. Through an integrated curriculum of performing and visual arts which includes music, drama, dance, visual and media arts, we aim to challenge and enrich personal identity, and build awareness of the aesthetic in a real-world context.
CTIS values the processes of creating, performing and presenting artwork, and gives opportunities to function as artists and to develop as learners. Learners use the arts to convey feelings, experiences and ideas about the world, and in doing so acquire and develop techniques and creative skills. Learners at CTIS will value reflection and evaluation as a means of developing their ideas, their skills and their work.
Design
This subject group includes computer science and design technology. CTIS design classes will enable students to develop not only practical skills but also strategies for creative and critical thinking. Inquiry and problem-solving are at the classes and learners are supported in using the design cycle as a way to structure projects, analyze problems, develop solutions and evaluate the products they create.
As with other middle school classes, learners will be challenged to apply their practical and creative-thinking skills to real world problems and explore the role of design in historical and contemporary contexts. Learners are also encouraged to reflect on their responsibilities when making design decisions and taking action to achieve their goals.
Physical and Health Education (PHE)
Physical and health education classes at CTIS empower learners to understand and appreciate the value of being physically active while developing the motivation for making healthy and informed life choices. To this end PHE classes foster the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes contributing to a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Learners will explore a variety of concepts that help foster an awareness of physical development and health perspectives, as well as positive social interaction. Through physical and health education, learners will also appreciate and respect the ideas of others, and develop effective collaboration and communication skills through activities such as team games, performances and projects. These activities and others will present many opportunities to build positive interpersonal relationships that can help learners to develop a sense of social responsibility and intercultural understanding, in addition to self esteem.
