AIWIN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL/ アイウィンインターナショナルスクール

ACADEMIC

Curriculum

Our curriculum offers a well-balanced and holisitc curriculum that focuses on the development of all aspects of learning and development. Teaching methods aim to help all types of learner's needs, abilities and learning styles and takes into account the key developmental stages of children. Aiwin curriculum ensures that students reach their fullest potential and smoothly transition to Elementary school when they graduate.

IntegratedInquisitive learning

In Aiwin, the child develops as a whole through a good balance of child-initiated and teacher-planned learning experiences with strong emphasis on hands-on exploration, purposeful play and responsive care. Learning is driven by students with the guidance of professional teachers who help them arrive at the true questions about the things they really care about. Inquisitive learning integrates learning across developmental and content areas, and at the same time offers plenty of flexibility for students to contruct their knowledge based on their own interests. Students are motivated to develop a sense of ownership and responsibility of their learning. Ultimately, learning becomes rewarding and students develops drive for action and self-direction in the classroom and beyond.

Aiwin LearningGoals and Expectations

Aiwin understands that true learning unfolds when a combination of teaching, learning and multiple asssessments methods blend well in the curriculum. As an international school, we utilize high quality standards frameworks that aligns with Aiwin learning goals and expectations for students. It is the heart of the curriculum and ensures progressive development across different learning areas. Our learning goals and expectations are based on research-based international standards as well as Japanese national standards of education. Whether our Aiwin graduates move up to international schools or Japanese schools, they can transition confidently and successfully.

  • US Common Core State Standards
  • Development Matters Early Years Foundation Stage
  • The Head Start Child Development and Learning Framework
  • Orton-Gillingham Approach to Literacy

Problem &Project-Based Learning

Learning themes are exciting and engaging firsthand explorations of topics that are relevant to children’s everyday experiences. Aiwin has 4 main themes taught over 4 semesters. Under each theme are relevant topics and key questions that aim to spark children's interest and curiosity. Based on main themes, students pursue their group or individual projects. Theme exploration focus more on skills of "how to learn" more than the content. Students participate in mapping questions, finding relevant resources, analyzing and synthesizing information and documentation. This approach makes learning more web-like instead of traditional vertical and compartmentalized approach, where students creative reflection and inventive thinking are at the forefront. The objective is not the answer to the key questions but how students arrived with their answers. It appeals to all kinds of learners and fosters life-long learning.

Transdisciplinary Themes

Throughout the school year, students explore themes that expands from self up to the outer space which allows students to get a wider and deeper perspective of themselves and their environment. Students explore themes by working on interdisciplinary projects that reinforce multiple skills or knowledge areas.

  • Spring Semester: Who I Am

    Students explore their unique self, bodies, feelings, emotions and needs; they explore human relationships like families, friends and community and the values and traditions that ties them; and learn to make healthy choices, positive interaction, and successful collaborations.

  • Summer Semester: How Great We Are

    Students explore the great abilities of our mind, bodies and senses; they discover what human intelligence is capable of inspiring, creating and accomplishing for the advancement of life and society; students make a connection of the past and the present times through the valuable work of inspiring people.

  • Fall Semester: Earth, Our Home

    Students explore their interconnection with nature, the diversity of living and non-living creatures and the natural law of its existence; they gain deeper understanding of the impact of human actions in keeping a balance of these natural resources and grow a responsibility to care, protect and share these resources to support all kinds of life.

  • Winter semester: The Stars, Our Neighbors

    Students explore the environment outside the Earth and the great impact they have in human lives; discover simple scientific laws that controls our solar system and develop a deep interest and curiosity to perplexing concepts that cannot be easily observed first-hand; ultimately, they grow a wider understanding of the significant role of human society in our world and beyond.

Curriculum Framework

Our curriculum framework includes important domains such as Key Questions, Main Concepts, Character Goals, Expected Skills and Success Criteria. Below is an example of how lessons are organized and presented to our students.

Kindy is curious about: Earth, Our Home

Theme Focus Animals
Key Question How do animals grow?
How do they protect themselves and their young?
Why do animals become extinct and endangered?
How can we help in protecting animals?
Main Concepts Life Cycle of Animals
Protective instincts and traits of animals
Human behavior and natural phenomenon that affects animal survival
Animal Protection Law
Subject Area Science, Language Arts, Social Studies,
Character Goals Balanced
Communicative
Expected skills
  • Collecting and recording information through prints and media
  • Matching and sorting by category
  • Writes a string of simple sentences to tell a story or share information and provides a concluding statement.
  • Explains why rules and regulations are important and what might happen if they are not followed.
Success Criteria I can explain the life cycle of an animal through a diagram.
I can match animals and their young by words or pictures.
I can protect animals by making a law.

Wheel ForThe Theme Of Animals

Class Theme Units

  • Early Nursery

    Early Nursery1歳児〜2歳児

  • Nursery

    Nursery2歳児〜3歳児

  • Preschool

    Preschool3歳児〜4歳児

  • Junior K

    Junior Kindy4歳児〜5歳児

  • Kindy

    Kindy5歳児