The second cycle of the Elementary Division (Upper Elementary) consists of Grades 4, 5, and
6
for learners between 9 and 11 years old. Learners in this cycle cover 8 sessions and 2
recesses
every day. The most remarkable feature in this cycle is the learners’ desire for knowledge.
They
continuously seek knowledge, ask for reasons and causes behind effects and interrelated
concepts. They wonder about relationships and about their own place in the world. They also
begin to experience a higher sense of independency.
We strongly oversee and cater for the learners’ inquisitiveness at this level in order to
advance the social skills that they have already acquired. Consequently, learners start
building
stronger social relations with their peers and teachers and become more capable of taking
responsibility for their actions. They develop preliminary critical thinking skills as well
as
an ability to express simple abstract ideas. Moreover, they become more conscious of values
that
they practice while they interact with others and make choices in order to become ready to
undergo bigger challenges. Two of the major educational programs and projects in this cycle
are:
Advisory Program:
In order to ensure a calm and peaceful start, every school day begins with a 15- minute-
advisory session in which learners discuss with their Class Advisor different topics that
are
planned weekly and are aligned with the general Theme of the Year. This program is aimed
primarily at developing the spiritual and humanitarian dimensions of the learner. It also
encourages learners to become committed members to their family, school, society, and
national
issues and hence to nature and humanity. Moreover, the Advisory Program encourages learners
to
communicate and develop their expression, discussion, and debating skills.
The Advisory Program starts at this level and continues throughout all academic levels.
Thus, it
addresses every group according to age distinctiveness. It also helps creating a relaxed
atmosphere in class and increases homogeneity within the group.
Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française (D.E.L.F.) :
Given the importance of languages for proper communication with different communities and
identification of diverse cultures, and as the French Language still has an important role
in
the contemporary history of our country, our school prepares learners for the D.E.L.F. which
is
supervised by the French Ministry of Education through its cultural centers that are
established
all over the world.
The Science Fair:
In order to connect scientific knowledge with practice, the Science Fair is considered as a
special annual opportunity for learners to devise and perform scientific plans that are
connected to their reality and environment. Learners apply their plans by practicing
scientific
thinking, observing, comparing, connecting, and inferring through a cooperative and
competitive
approach.
