The elementary years are lively and active at Bambujaya with much of the learning delivered through stories and images, hands-on lessons and the daily creation of Main Lesson books. Stories are used to teach the alphabet and numbers in Grade 1 through to botany and Greek history in Grade 5.
Tales of great deeds, ancient wisdom and cultural traditions combine with stories of animals, geography and mathematical processes to provide a solid academic foundation.
Following bilingual circle activities, lesson review and skills practice, children begin each day in a 90 minute Main Lesson with their class teacher. For a period of 3-4 weeks, they experience an in-depth study of academic subjects: language arts, mathematics and social sciences. For each different topic, each child creates their own Main Lesson books with beautiful, colourful drawings and relevant text. These truly reflect their own learning and replace standard textbooks with a living record of their progress through the grades.
| Mathematics | Khmer | English | Social Studies | Science | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Whole numbers, counting, four processes, skip counting | All letters, reading from own writing recitations Stories - fairy tales | Letters, sounds, poems, songs, basic vocabulary, games | Nature stories and observation and appreciation of the natural world | |
| Grade 2 | Times tables, column addition/subtraction, place value, carrying and borrowing | Blending sounds, reading typed print, changing vowel sounds, subscript Stories - fables and legends of noble people | Reading from own writing, writing with upper and lower case letters, simple conversations | Nature stories with observation of the environment, animal characteristics and qualities, cycles in nature, seasons and plant growth, living and non-living things | |
| Grade 3 | Measurement - all types, column multiplication, times table | Simple grammar and writing, speech work Stories - tales of struggle and overcoming | Beginning grammar, simple stories, writing to read, word families | Shelters of different types, house building clothing | Food production and farm life |
| Grade 4 | Word problems, averages, fractions, long division, factoring | Parts of speech, grammar rules, writing stories Stories - tales of conquerors | Writing and reading, basic verb tenses, short dictation | Cambodian geography, map making, local history | Zoology - descriptive study of animals and their characteristics |
| Grade 5 | Decimals, fractions, reciprocals, mixed numbers, freehand geometry | Writing creative, descriptive, elements of a story Stories - ancient history and mythology | Situational conversation, grammar, reading comprehension | Regional Geography and study of the continent of Asia | Botany - study of plants, life cycles, relationship of plants and animals |
| Drawing / Painting | Music | Movement | Handwork / Modeling | Other Subjects | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Curves, straight lines, watercolour painting primary and secondary colours | Songs, basic flute, choral practice, learning in both languages | Balance, clapping, jump rope, circle games, passing and tossing bean bags | Finger knitting, simple beeswax figures, basic needle knitting | May include: Cooking - kitchen skills, vocabulary, international samplings, proper hygiene and cleanup Drama - self-expression, speaking and projection, vocabulary, cooperative activities Yoga - balance, strength, self-confidence, creating stillness Gardening - connecting to nature, appreciation and care of the environment, growing to cook |
| Grade 2 | Simple symmetry, running patterns, animal and plant forms | Folk songs, flute, rhythms, body percussion | Tumbling, hopscotch, dancing, catching and throwing | Knitting and purling, casting on and off, beeswax scenes | |
| Grade 3 | Coloured pencil shading, symmetrical patterns, farming paintings | Singing in rounds, basic notation, flute with scale playing | Ring games, juggling, line games, circle dances, cooperative games | Crochet - single and double or chain, beeswax cooperative scenes | |
| Grade 4 | Hatching pencil technique, landscapes, interlocking patterns | Ukulele playing, introduction to scales, time values | Running, jumping and throwing games, obstacle courses | Cross-stitch and crochet, clay modeling forms | |
| Grade 5 | Freehand geometry, architectural styles, darkness into light | Ukulele playing, difference in scales, sharps and flats | Olympic style games, long jump, sprinting, strength exercises | Multiple needle knitting, felting, clay vases or plant shapes |
First graders have a keen interest in learning and wish to exercise the curiosity, focus and good habits they have developed in Kindergarten. They are now ready to come together and form a cooperative social group with an emphasis on formal learning, purposeful activity and the academic foundations that will carry them through the years ahead.
Language
Fairy tales from around the world and stories of nature foster children’s imagination while also exposing them to rich, expressive language and new vocabulary. Images and drawings are used to introduce the letters of the alphabet, naturally forming words and sentences. Reciting poems and songs strengthens speaking and listening skills and also provides familiar material for writing sentences.
Mathematics
Numbers are taught in a lively, active way with many hands-on activities, as well as clapping, stamping and counting. Exciting stories with special characters introduce first graders to all four processes of mathematics: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Children count gemstones, seeds and various classroom objects and become comfortable in counting forward and backward, as well as grouping objects to demonstrate mathematical processes and creating number sentences.
Social Sciences
Simple stories about animals and our natural environment along with gardening, cooking and drama help children to connect to the world around them. The social sciences for the early grader is centred on the experience of interacting with the surrounding and others. This develops social awareness and an understanding of accepted norms. The all important task in the early grades is building respect for others, allowing time for observation and understanding the qualities of what we discover in nature.
Second graders are now comfortable with the study of different subjects and the daily rhythm of learning. They are eager to build on the work begun in Grade 1 and are lively, active learners. As they step out further into the world, they often become slightly mischievous, testing the boundaries of acceptable behaviour. Animal fables provide lessons of natural consequences for trickster acts, while stories of noble people fill the children with a feeling for the greater good.
Language
As the study of language becomes more complex, children are learning to read through their own writing done in the Main Lesson books. This text is compact, contains different sentence structure and rich vocabulary. Most of the writing is associated with animal fables and the deeds of great people taken from a wide range of cultures. In addition to reading this familiar text, children work with phonetic skills such as blending, and strengthening their memory with a growing number of sight words.
Mathematics
After acquiring a solid understanding of the quality of numbers and counting out, children now progress to expanding their ability in the four mathematical processes. Through vivid and imaginative stories, they are introduced to place value, carrying and borrowing in addition and subtraction and comparing and ordering numbers. Main Lesson books are filled with pages of colourful illustrations of these functions as well as examples of mathematical problems solved. They also begin the study of multiplication and division tables through movement and patterns.
Social Sciences
The children become more aware of their individuality and in social interaction, a few misunderstandings may arise. Developmentally, the children are trying out their independence. Fables and stories are specifically chosen to address this stage in their development and behaviour. Attention is given to discussions about inclusion, respect and kindness. Nature is observed to reveal cycles and deepen an understanding of the mineral, plant and animal worlds. Children’s natural love of animals is nurtured through the fables as they explore behaviours, characteristics and habitats of a variety of animals both familiar and unknown.
As children turn nine years old, they demonstrate a greater self awareness and individuality, and clearly feel their separation from the world. They experience wonder of the world, yet doubt their place in society. They question how and why human beings behave in certain ways. Stories of overcoming hardship and conflict balanced by the laws and guidance that people use to resolve their differences, help children to understand their own feelings and to work with them effectively. Emphasis on the practical study of food, shelter and clothing shows them that people have found ways to survive on earth and this reassures them. These topics are complemented by the study of measurement which grounds third graders in activities that are purposeful and can be applied in everyday life.
Language
Language study becomes more formal this year with the introduction of basic punctuation, parts of speech, antonyms and synonyms. Spelling, organising and sequencing ideas and the use of varied vocabulary are practised. Speaking and listening skills are well developed by this age and lively discussions allow the children to confidently express themselves on lesson topics. From these discussions comes much of the text written in Main Lesson books and simple dictation is also introduced.
Mathematics
The study of measurement is a focus and grounds the children in real life mathematical situations and applications. Beginning with stories of how measurement systems developed, children are then introduced to linear, liquid and dry measure, weight and the concepts of time and money. Activities may include the creation of sundials, rulers, and balance scales as well as shopping at local markets, measuring out spaces and creating an annual calendar.
Social Sciences
Practical life studies are at the centre of the Grade 3 curriculum. The children’s growing curiosity about their own place in the world is expressed as the question, ‘How do people live and work?’. This is met with lessons about shelters and house building, the process of grain to flour to bread, farming in different cultures, and the production of natural fibres into clothing. Both regional and global perspectives are examined as the children consider factors that influence what type of house might be most practical or what grains are grown in different parts of the world.
Gardening and Farm Visit
Third graders have an integral role in tending to our school garden and learn about the process of, and engage in, composting. As part of their study of farming, they may experience several days at a working farm and learn about the cycle of food production and the care of animals. They gain a greater sense of responsibility as they take on new duties and cooperate with their classmates to prepare meals, set up sleeping areas and clean up after themselves.
Fourth graders emerge from the previous year with greater confidence in their own abilities and an enthusiastic desire to complete more complex tasks. A solid foundation in language and mathematics has been built and they are ready to work independently on projects and written assignments. The bold Norse legends from the far frozen north, provide an exciting background for their studies and allow the children to explore complex social situations.
Language
Emphasis is placed on new vocabulary, dictation, independent writing and correct sentence structure. Text is taken from the Norse legends which focuses on strong personalities and social intrigue. During animal studies each child researches and writes a report and creates an artistic rendering of an animal of their choice. Skills, such as scanning for important information, summarising what is read and discussing outcomes of a story, are all incorporated into this project based learning.
Mathematics
Grade 4 is the year of fractions which are brought to life by stories, hands-on activities and drawings as the whole is broken into parts. To begin, children use many manipulatives to gain a solid understanding of fractions, before they move methodically onto the processes of adding and subtracting. Through extensive practice, they become comfortable with expansion and contraction, carrying and borrowing and calculating the fraction of whole numbers. Long division and practice of all mathematical processes with large numbers into the hundred-thousands along with mental arithmetic, are also included.
Social Sciences
Zoology is introduced in Grade 4 with an in-depth study of different animals and their habitats, cycles of life, as well as their natural adaptations and behaviours. Attention is also given to the relationship between animals and humans and structural variations. In addition, children also begin a study of geography, which broadens their view of the world, by examining their local environment of home, school and extending out into Siem Reap, including its landmarks and geographical features. Animal shapes, map making and knotted forms expand the children’s artistic skills while challenging them with new techniques and materials.
Grade 5 is often called the Golden Year, because children have reached a certain balance in their physical, emotional and intellectual development. They are comfortable in their movements, showing grace, and natural ability. Awareness of, and interest in, the world is balanced by a greater understanding of their own inner feelings. With stronger mental capacities, children are able to complete more complex and independent tasks. To align with these developmental milestones, their studies span over thousands of years from ancient India, Persia and Egypt to ancient Greece. Stories not only include myths and legends, but also the historical beginnings of civilisations and their contributions to the cultures that followed.
Language
This year focuses on sentence structure, varied vocabulary, and identifying and using various parts of speech to enliven written assignments and add interest. Grammar is approached more formally and children begin to proofread and correct their own writing. Organising ideas and sequencing thoughts are strengthened by class review of lessons and in-depth discussions of the events that occurred in the ancient civilisations. Fifth graders typically use these skills to create story summaries, complete a book report and research a topic in geography.
Mathematics
After acquiring a concrete understanding of fractions, the children transition into decimals with a review of place value and progressing to the fraction-decimal relationship. All four processes with decimals are practised, as well as comparing numbers. Parallel with the study of ancient civilisations, different number systems are introduced and children have the opportunity to write and calculate with them. Area and perimeter are demonstrated and calculated on various shapes.
Social Sciences
Our geography study extends to Cambodia and the surrounding Southeast Asian countries. The children trace the path of the mighty Mekong River and expand their map making skills, exploring the vastness of Asia, including its many countries, landforms and cultures. Botany is studied through careful observation and artistic presentations of many types of plants and cycles of nature. We begin with the natural world in science, focusing on regional plants, soils and climates in preparation for the more abstract topics introduced in Middle School.
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