The Elementary School Curriculum at GWS immerses students in a challenging academic program that is mostly in English – 80%, and which is complemented with special courses, offered bi-weekly, that focus on the development of knowledge and skills in Art, Music, Physical Education and Computer Technology.
DISCIPLINES
Students develop reading, writing and speaking skills that will make them communicate in a proficient level of English (and Spanish), assuring they build the language on formal grammatical basis, identifying parts of the sentence, linking them in a context and reinforcing spelling and vocabulary through the general comprehension of the language.
GWS math program is based on the principle of application, of being relevant to the students’ lives. The math curriculum, therefore, focuses on developing understanding and skills that lead to life-long mathematical application as a tool to problem solving. Everyday Mathematics builds a strong mathematical foundation of application skills in the elementary grades.
The Science Program in elementary school provides student-centered learning options for all students, expanding the learning environment, at school and at home. Throughout the program the students learn science concepts and vocabulary and build inquiry skills, with mathematics and writing incorporated in each lesson. The reading engages students in analyzing and interacting with the content.
Students in Elementary School have special classes – P.E., Computer Technology, Art and Music – twice a week as an integral part of the development in the cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains.
Social Studies
The Social Studies Program at GWS provides connections between the student and his/her own community, state, country, and world. It includes history, geography, government/citizenship, and economics of the United States and Mexico – all with an emphasis on community. Students learn about and using map skills. The students study the different regions of the countries, learning about the various lifestyles and cultures of our diverse population, the lay of the land, the climates, as well as the crops, products, industries, etc., that make up each region and/or state’s culture.