Mathematics

Mathematics at VIS is concept-driven and guided by the IB PYP Mathematics Scope and Sequence, aligned with AERO standards to ensure progression and coherence. We aim to develop confident mathematicians who understand, apply, and communicate mathematical thinking. Learning experiences are differentiated, hands-on, and inquiry-based, integrating manipulatives, real-world problem-solving, and opportunities for reasoning and discussion. The PYP Mathematics curriculum is organized through five interrelated strands: Data handling, Measurement, Shape and space, Pattern and function, and Number.

Language Arts

At VIS, Language is taught as a foundation for thinking, communicating, and exploring the world. Guided by the IB PYP Language Scope and Sequence, our program supports students in developing confidence and skill in speaking, listening, reading, viewing, and writing. Students engage with a rich variety of texts and media to build comprehension, expand vocabulary, and explore how language shapes meaning. They learn to express ideas clearly and creatively, adapt language for different purposes and audiences, and reflect on how language influences understanding. Learning is active, purposeful, and inquiry-driven. Students collaborate, ask questions, and make connections across subjects, using English as a tool for both self-expression and critical thinking. Through regular feedback and reflection, they grow as communicators who can interpret, construct, and share meaning with clarity and confidence.

Science

Science in the PYP is structured around three strands: Living Things, Earth and Space, and Physical and Chemical Science. Through these, students explore the natural world, develop observation and experimentation skills, and engage with scientific concepts such as systems, sustainability, change, and interdependence. Students learn to ask questions, design investigations, and use evidence to explain phenomena. Scientific inquiry builds conceptual understanding while encouraging responsibility for local and global environments.

Social Studies

Social Studies in the PYP supports students in developing an understanding of human systems, cultures, and their interdependence with the environment. Learning is guided by four strands: Ways of Knowing and Systems, Critical Global Citizenship and Culture, Continuity and Change for Reimagined Futures, and Interconnected Places, Spaces, and Relationships. Students explore their roles within society, engage with diverse perspectives, and reflect on human actions, choices, and responsibilities. Through inquiry, students build awareness of the past and present, while imagining and contributing to better futures.

Spanish

As part of the PYP approach to additional language learning, all non-EAL students from Kindergarten to Grade 5 participate in Spanish classes. The programme aims to spark curiosity, foster enjoyment, and build foundational communication skills in a second language. Students develop the ability to understand and express themselves on familiar topics using basic vocabulary and sentence structures. Spanish learning at VIS promotes intercultural understanding and global citizenship—core elements of the PYP. Lessons are interactive and inquiry-based, often linked to transdisciplinary themes. Instruction is responsive to students’ varying levels of language development, and assessment is primarily formative, supporting ongoing growth and confidence in language use.

Creative Arts at VIS

The Creative Arts programme at VIS is rooted in the IB Primary Years Programme philosophy, fostering creativity, personal expression, and cultural appreciation. Through visual art, music, and drama, students explore ideas, develop technical skills, and express themselves in meaningful and imaginative ways. Learning is inquiry-driven, process-oriented, and often integrated into transdisciplinary units, supporting students as they make connections across disciplines and respond to the world around them.

• Visual Art: Visual Art at VIS invites students to explore, create, and communicate through a variety of media, techniques, and artistic styles. Students investigate the work of diverse artists and cultures, engage with elements of art and design, and reflect on their own creative processes. Emphasis is placed on developing both technical skills and conceptual understanding, while encouraging originality, risk-taking, and thoughtful reflection.
   

• Music: Music education at VIS nurtures musical thinking, creativity, and appreciation. Students engage with rhythm, melody, harmony, and form through singing, movement, body percussion, and instruments. They listen actively, respond expressively, and explore a wide range of musical genres and cultures. Music lessons foster collaboration, improvisation, and performance, encouraging students to find their voice and share their musical ideas with confidence.
   

• Drama: Drama supports the development of communication, empathy, and imagination. Students explore character, narrative, and emotion through role play, movement, and voice work. They build confidence by improvising, rehearsing, and performing for peers, while learning to give and receive feedback. Drama also enhances students’ ability to collaborate, solve problems creatively, and reflect on their experiences as performers and audience members.
   

Personal, Social and Physical Education (PSPE)

The PSPE programme at Verdala International School supports the holistic development of each student—fostering well-being, personal growth, and physical health. Grounded in the IB PYP framework, PSPE is organized around four interrelated strands: Identity, Interactions, Wellness, and Movement. These strands are explored through a combination of Physical Education, Homeroom sessions, and dedicated Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) classes.

Through the Movement strand, students build fundamental motor skills, coordination, and physical fitness while engaging in active play, games, and sports. The emphasis is on enjoyment, teamwork, perseverance, and promoting healthy, active lifestyles. The Identity, Interactions, and Wellness strands help students understand themselves and others, manage emotions, build positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. These areas are developed through inquiry, discussion, and reflection on topics such as empathy, emotional regulation, social responsibility, and resilience. By engaging with these strands across multiple learning settings, students gain the skills and confidence needed to lead balanced, fulfilling lives and navigate a complex, diverse world.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

At VIS, ICT supports the development of digital literacy, creativity, and responsible technology use. Guided by the ISTE Standards, students from PK2 to Grade 5 participate in weekly lessons that build foundational and progressive skills. Early learners use iPads to support literacy and numeracy, while older students develop keyboarding, coding, and information management abilities. Technology is integrated into classroom learning to enhance inquiry, collaboration, and digital citizenship. Like all subjects, ICT is typically integrated into the Unit of Inquiry to support authentic, meaningful learning across the curriculum.

Library

The library at VIS fosters a lifelong love of reading and supports the development of research and information literacy skills. Weekly visits provide opportunities for students to explore a wide range of texts, encouraging reading for enjoyment, inquiry, and personal growth. Library sessions are meaningfully connected to transdisciplinary learning, offering access to diverse texts that enrich and extend the Units of Inquiry. Reading is valued as a foundation for thinking, learning, and well-being, and students are supported in becoming curious, reflective, and independent readers.

English Language Learning

At VIS, we welcome students from diverse linguistic backgrounds and provide structured support for students who are developing English as an additional language. Students’ English proficiency is assessed during the admissions process, and those who need additional language support are enrolled in our ELL program.

ELL supports includes:

• In-class co-teaching or small group instruction

• Emphasis on academic language development across subject areas

• Differentiated strategies to support communication, reading, writing, and listening skills

• Collaboration between ELL specialists and homeroom or subject teachers to ensure language-inclusive practices

• Ongoing monitoring and progress reporting
   

All teachers at VIS play a role in language development and are supported to scaffold content and language as part of daily instruction.