Kindergarten
Our World
The ISR Kindergarten curriculum teaches students to become global citizens not only through the appreciation of commonalities but also through the celebration of differences. The language of instruction is English. Daily language instruction in German provides an authentic context for discovery of culture and customs. A staff of qualified, dedicated professionals fosters student excitement and curiosity for future learning.
Foundation for Academic Achievement
Language development is a central focus of the international ISR Kindergarten. A reading program is used to aid students in gaining fluency and confidence in reading. The SABIS® Phonics and Handwriting program is used to teach students letter shape and formation and sound recognition. The language program expands students' ability to communicate thoughts and feelings through theme work, as well as encourages them to contribute actively to class discussion. Songs, stories, and pictures are used to help stimulate imagination and spark curiosity.
Mathematics is a second focus through which the children learn number value and formation: shapes, sets, and classification are also mastered along with ordinal numbers. Students' excitement in applying their mathematical skills comes as they learn how to tell time and do basic addition and subtraction.
Language instruction in German completes the main focus of the ISR Kindergarten curriculum. Reinforcing the curriculum in language and math, the German curriculum teaches colors, numbers, letters, and sounds. Celebrating its international host country, the ISR Kindergarten German program teaches traditional songs, rhymes, games, and about festivals.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
For its students' safety, ISR requires that all Kindergarten students are escorted to and from the building. Kindergarten students must be checked out by their teachers or a supervisor before leaving the school at the end of the day. Students can only be released to authorized individuals. In the case of early dismissal, parents are expected to inform the school and sign the student out when leaving.
Extended Day
The ISR Kindergarten is a full-day program with the academic day beginning at 08:20 and ending at 15:20. Within this time, Kindergarten students are engaged in a multitude of activities including two 15- to 20-minute breaks with healthy snack food and drink provided by the school. In addition, there is a 45-minute lunch period during which the students go to the school cafeteria with their teachers. Then, they have the spontaneous option of playing, having ‘quiet time’ or taking a nap if they wish.
ISR offers an extended daycare program for Kindergarten students both prior to and following the class day. This program provides adult supervision of the students in the morning from 07:50 until the start of the school day and from dismissal of the academic day until 18:00.
Admissions
There are no academic requirements for acceptance into Kindergarten. Students in the ISR Kindergarten are admitted to one of two classes: Kindergarten 1 (KG1) for students who are 3-4 years old (KG1 students must turn 3 by June 30th of the year in which they will enter the program), and Kindergarten 2 (KG2) for students who are 4-5 years of age. They must also be able to speak and follow simple instructions, regardless of language, as well as be toilet-trained.
Our Teachers
The teachers of ISR Kindergarten classes hold qualifications to teach in a Kindergarten. KG1 and KG2 classes have assistant teachers with a ratio of not more than 1:11.