Curriculum
Primary Years Programme - TK-5th Grade
GICS achieved authorization as an IB World School in 2014 for the Primary Years Programme (“PYP”) in the elementary grades (TK-5). The IB PYP is premised on academic rigor as students make connections with the real world and become critical and reflective thinkers. The IB PYP incorporates interdisciplinary, inquiry based instruction in which the concept of the whole child includes the physical, intellectual, social and emotional development of the student.
Units of Inquiry:
The PYP organizes learning through Units of Inquiry (UoI); these are transdisciplinary, concept-driven units that help students explore big ideas across subjects rather than in isolation. Units of Inquiry are structured learning experiences built around broad, meaningful concepts (like “change,” “systems,” or “relationships”). Instead of teaching subjects separately, the PYP integrates disciplines (language, math, science, social studies, arts) into a single inquiry. Each grade level typically has 6 units per year, all aligned to six global themes.
In addition to subject-area specific assessments (reading benchmark assessments, writing prompts, math topic tests), students are assessed at the end of each of the six PYP Units of Inquiry (“UoI”) for understanding of unit concepts as well as approaches to learning skills. IB PYP summative assessments take a variety of forms that both develop 21st century skills as well as offer a range of real-world tasks such as group projects, presentations, written essays, videos, etc.
All GICS students in grades TK–2 participate in our German Language Immersion (GLI) program, where they receive standards-based instruction in both English and German through the IB PYP framework.
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Grades TK–2: Students learn in a 50/50 model, spending half their time in English and half in German.
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Grades 3–5: The model shifts to 70% English and 30% German for students who demonstrate the proficiency needed to access grade-level curriculum in German.
The program is designed to build bilingualism, biliteracy, academic achievement, and cross-cultural understanding.
The German Language Acquisition (GLA) program supports students in grades 3–5 who join GICS with little or no prior German instruction or who need additional support accessing core content in German. As an alternative to the GLI program, GLA provides more core instruction in English while building foundational German skills.
German lessons focus on developing speaking skills, essential vocabulary, and key grammar. This program provides an essential pathway for students with diverse learning styles or those requiring language accommodations, ensuring all students have access to the curriculum while working toward bilingualism, biliteracy, strong academic achievement, and global citizenship.
Specials & Exploratory Classes
As an IB school, GICS values supporting the whole child in their educational growth and development. To support this, GICS provides Specials Classes in the elementary program and Exploratory Classes in the middle school program. Our educators use differentiated instruction within these classes to ensure that students of all abilities can fully participate and succeed.
Spanish Language (Grades 3–5)
Spanish classes begin in third grade. This instruction allows the students to broaden their multi-cultural and multi-linguistic understanding. Students are not only introduced to the Spanish language, but also learn its linguistic background. Students are also exposed to the culture of Spanish-speaking countries with respect to history, traditions, and the arts.
Physical Education (Grades TK–5)
Physical Education teaches students how their bodies move and how to perform a variety of physical activities. PE provides learning experiences that meet the developmental needs of students. Activities are designed to be adaptive and inclusive, ensuring safe and supportive physical participation for every child.
The PE program is standards-based and provides an excellent opportunity to ensure that students develop positive social skills, cooperate with others, and accept responsibility for their own actions. Students in grades one through five are provided with physical education instruction of not less than 200 minutes each ten school days.
Visual Arts (Grades TK–5)
Visual Arts is a critical and integrated part of GICS’ curriculum. Students learn the arts as discrete subjects, each with its own unique content, and where appropriate, connect the arts to concepts and themes from the Units of Inquiry. The art studio environment serves as a highly accessible space for creative expression, welcoming diverse learning profiles and artistic levels.
The introduction to the Visual and Performing Arts Content Standards in California provides the roadmap for visual arts instruction. The State Standards have identified five strands to guide instruction:
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Artistic perception
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Creative expression
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Historical and cultural context
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Aesthetic valuing
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Connections, relations, and applications
Below is the overview of the Units of Inquiry at each grade level in elementary school:
Transitional KindergartenKindergarten
1st Grade
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade