Lower School
At our primary school, we are determined to deliver excellent instruction, where safety, respect, accountability, support and excellence are highly evident. While academic success is important, we recognize that human values are also required to be successful. We are creating a unique culture of respect, empathy, integrity, responsibility and resilience.
Our learning model includes age-appropriate common core subjects with instruction given in both English and French. Our teachers provide instruction that allows students to progress in their development of their understanding of languages and build their foundational knowledge of math, science, social studies, and reading.
Cycle 2 : 1st to 3rd grade
At Dallas International School, Cycle 2 begins in 1st grade and ends with 3rd grade. During this cycle, students’ main academic language becomes French, accompanied by a structured English curriculum.
What is Cycle 2 at DIS?
Learning at school means questioning the world. It also means acquiring specific languages, acquisitions for which simply growing up is not enough. Cycle 2 covers the period from CP to CE2, thus providing the duration and coherence necessary for progressive and demanding learning. In Cycle 2, all the lessons question the world. The mastery of languages is central.
The acquisition of fundamental knowledge (reading, writing, arithmetic, and respect for others) is the priority.
One learns how to carry out fundamental school activities. These activities can be found in several courses and will be found throughout the school year: solving a problem, reading and understanding a document, writing a text, creating or designing an object.
How does this work at DIS?
Students are learning two vocabulary and syntactical systems simultaneously. Correct oral usage of language in the classroom receives specific attention through class conversations, oral presentations, use of audio books and reformulation exercises, storytelling, describing visual images, and a weekly “living in society” French class discussion.
Grades in Cycle 2
- CP/1st grade
- CE1/2nd grade
- CE2/3rd grad
French Academic Disciplines
In 1st grade, students are tasked with transforming their first exposure to the writing techniques learned in Kindergarten into challenging and assured training. The French approach to reading and writing is rigorous, as the two skills are inextricably linked and reinforce each other. The teacher first aims to make the identification of words automatic so that the student’s mind can be liberated to focus on understanding the text.
- Common Foundation of Knowledge, Skills and Culture
- Mastering the French Language
- Civics
- Autonomy and Initiative
- Humanistic Culture
Common Foundation of Knowledge, Skills and Culture
Focuses on five areas that provide an overview of the objectives of the elementary school and middle school programs:
Language for thinking and communicating
Methods and tools for learning
The training of the person and the citizen
Natural systems and technical systems
Representations of the world and human activity
Mastering the French Language
Reading and writing are major events of Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades. 1st grade is the point at which the delicate task of transforming the first initiation in the techniques of writing (Kindergarten) into structured and assured training. The training to read and write in French is rigorous as the two skills are inextricably linked. They mutually reinforce each other. The pupil becomes a more autonomous and independent learner through the mastery of reading. The spoken language remains a focus during the entire Fundamental Learning cycle.
Civics
Each grade level teaches a formal “civics” component. This encourages the effective and constructive participation in rights of others, and to reject violence. Students learn to distinguish between universal principles (human rights), rules of the state of law, and cultural customs (civility). They study the founding principles of France and are exposed to those of the United States.
Autonomy and Initiative
Humanistic Culture
Our world is structured by technology, history, major art works, values and ideas. The study of this cultural universe enhances the perception of learners and gives them chronological and geographical reference points, so that pupils will learn their origins as individuals and where they stand as members of society.
English/Language Arts
English language acquisition and mastery is the ultimate goal as children learn to read and write, comprehend and new knowledge, and communicate effectively. During Cycle 2, English language learning is reinforced through lessons in US Math and STEAM classes. During this fundamental cycle, students develop their science, technology, and math skills as well as their listening comprehension and oral and written expression. Students explain more complex ideas and become increasingly independent and confident scholars.
English Language
First grade: Focus is placed on further developing the students’ phonological awareness, word building, and reading and writing skills. Weekly poetry and journal writing set the foundation for students to comprehend and express clear messages.
Second grade: Uses the relationships between letters, sounds and spelling patterns to decode written English. Novel studies commence as new vocabulary and syntax is explored. Students learn to compose text and use comprehension skills to listen attentively to others.
Third grade: Reading comprehension skills are deepened through the study of several core novels representing different genres. Mastery of self-monitoring skills and instruction on English grammar and composition are additional learning goals.
US Math
STEAM
MAP Test
Cycle 3 : 4th to 6th grade
At Dallas International School, Cycle 3 begins in 4th grade and ends with 6th grade. During this cycle, students transition to content learning, reading for information, and writing to communicate original ideas.
What is Cycle 3 at DIS?
This cycle has a double responsibility: to consolidate the acquisition of the fundamental knowledge (reading, writing, counting, respecting others) which was initiated in cycle 2 and which conditions subsequent learning; to allow a better transition between elementary school and secondary school by ensuring continuity and progressiveness between the three years of the cycle.
Students are encouraged to express themselves and communicate. The languages studied become an object of observation, comparison and reflection. Students acquire the ability to reason about the language and to apply this reasoning to spelling, grammar, and lexicon. Additionally, they further develop problem solving and computation skills. The strategies used to understand are taught explicitly and they develop metacognitive abilities that enable them to choose the most appropriate work methods.
How does this work at DIS?
Students are learning two vocabulary and syntactical systems simultaneously. Correct oral usage of language in the classroom receives specific attention through class conversations, oral presentations, use of audio books and reformulation exercises, storytelling, describing visual images, and a weekly “living in society” French class discussion.
Grades in Cycle 2
- CM1/4th grade
- CM2/5th grade
- 6eme/6th grade
French Academic Disciplines
- Mastering the French Language
- Common Foundation of Knowledge, Skills and Culture
- Civics
- Autonomy and Initiative
- Humanistic Culture
Mastering the French Language
The main objective in Cycle 3 is the mastery of the French language, which is developed in three areas of language activities: oral language, reading and writing. It also contributes to this through the study of the language, which allows students to reflect on how the language functions, in particular to understand its regularities and ensure the main spelling agreements. All the courses contribute to the mastery of the language. In history, geography and science, the focus is on reading, understanding and producing the different forms of expression and representation related to the learning of scientific languages.
Common Foundation of Knowledge, Skills and Culture
Focuses on five areas that provide an overview of the objectives of the elementary school and middle school programs:
Language for thinking and communicating
Methods and tools for learning
The training of the person and the citizen
Natural systems and technical systems
Representations of the world and human activity
Civics
Each grade level teaches a formal “civics” component. This encourages the effective and constructive participation in rights of others and to reject violence. Students learn to distinguish between universal principles (human rights), rules of the state of law, and cultural customs (civility). They study the founding principles of France and are exposed to those of the United States.
Autonomy and Initiative
Humanistic Culture
Our world is structured by technology, history, major art works, values and ideas. The study of this cultural universe enhances the perception of learners and gives them chronological and geographical reference points, so that pupils will learn their origins as individuals and where they stand as members of society.
English/Language Arts
English language acquisition and mastery is the ultimate goal as children learn to read and write, think critically, and communicate effectively. During Cycle 3, English language learning is reinforced through literary analysis, multiple forms of writing, and oral presentation. During this consolidation cycle, students develop the speaking and writing skills necessary to contemplate and explain more complex ideas and develop stronger skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
English Language
Fourth grade: Higher order thinking skills and analytical thought are taught through more sophisticated structures. Students think critically to make interdisciplinary connections, with particular emphasis on US history. A balanced literacy program incorporates leveled reading and specific writing instruction to improve flow, clarity and structure.
Fifth grade: Focuses on preparation for the increasingly complex demands of middle school curriculum. Students solidify and expand reading skills, writing ability and composition, vocabulary, and oral language through in-depth literature studies, expository text analysis, and formal research projects. Study skills and problem solving strategies evolve.
Sixth grade: Includes the study of literature, composition, oral language, and vocabulary. Studies in Greek Mythology and related research, multiple novels looking closely at society, and Poetry are complemented by further development in all classifications of writing and by oral presentations of original work.