Grades 1 - 4
Caring for every child means: Knowing every child.
The first day of school holds a special place in everyone's memory. At GIST, we strive to make this day truly unforgettable. That's why we celebrate it by embracing a cherished German tradition—the colourful "Schultüten" brought to school by children. The Elementary school at GIST, covering grades 1 through 4, advocates for critical thinking, responsibility, and open-mindedness. We highly value diversity and multilingualism, concentrating on students' existing competencies and consistently working to improve them. This dedication is reinforced by our ability to provide exceptional care for every child. We achieve this through our profound understanding of each student, facilitated by our small class sizes, excellent student-teacher ratio, and personalized approach to teaching.
Subjects
At GIST, our curriculum is designed to optimize the strengths of both German and Canadian educational foundations. In mathematics, we adhere to German curricular standards, covering arithmetic, measurements, geometry, and stochastic learning areas with a spiral development approach.
Languages
Language acquisition is at the heart of our educational approach. While the majority of our instruction is in German, children with little or no German experience are still able to enter our Primary School. Due to our unique three-step German language program, we facilitate a progressive learning journey for all students. The 'GIST curriculum' for English, drawn from both Ontario and Thuringian curricula, accommodates the needs of native speakers and provides quick access to beginners. The French language program, introduced in Grade 3, aligns with the German curriculum, focusing on basic competences while encouraging students to explore the beauty of the French language.
STEAM_MINT
In our commitment to providing a holistic education, our STEAM_MINT program places a high priority on digital learning. Utilizing interactive textbooks and various learning apps, such as 'Onilo' and 'Anton,' we engage students in literature, reading, narration, and visual perception.
Transitioning
Ensuring a smooth transition to other schools is a vital aspect of our educational approach. Our emphasis on standardized third-party testing, such as Grade 3 VERA and Känguru der Mathematik, not only provides students with valuable assessment but also prepares them for future academic challenges.