KIDS Open Learning School

Please click on the curricular area you are interested in.

Language
- KIDS School begins students with an Individual Language Experience Programme. Beginners think of a story and draw a picture to match it. Then they tell the story to a staff person who scribes it for them, thus creating their own reading book – a source of word cards and sentence cards. Later, students may draft the story themselves for correct scribing into their Daybook.
  
  These Daybooks also provide vocabulary for the beginning writing programme. By watching the scribing process they see and hear a model to follow in their own writing. Speedwriting helps to develop students’ skill in putting words on the page. They write without corrections or reviewing for ten minutes. If no more, this develops fluency, but it can be the basis of a more developed story, or their own reading book, or an opportunity develop more conventional spelling and grammar.
  
  Older students are paired with younger ones to hear them read and read to them. This is a great encouragement to older students, who can read to a very appreciative audience.
  
  The aims of a Silent reading programme are to have students learn to choose a book which will interest them for a period of about 15 minutes consecutively; to help students learn to concentrate on a book for that period of time; for reading (or looking athte book) to be sustained; uninterrupted; for silent reading skills to grow.
  
  We create Pencraft worksheets starting with manuscript lettering, with a later transition to cursive writing, using the general vocabulary which is commonly used by most students of each age. Photocopies are made and the student copies the model. Words and writing are introduced in meaningful context.
  
  There are many ways to record your experiences. We encourage students to record on audio and video tapes, to use Power Point presentations as well as in writing.
Mathematics
- A “hands-on” approach is much encouraged. We supply a wealth of concrete materials from coloured rods, Lego, tangrams to jigsaw puzzles and math games. We encourage students to use maths in real life situations – shopping, cooking, woodwork projects and sewing projects.
  
  In an integrated programme, maths occurs secondarily in many other activities, eg. Art and music.
  
  Each student has a workbook selected to be her/his course, at the correct lvel, so that some form of abstract math is developed hand-in-hand with concrete learning. Workbooks have a problem-solving approach or activity orientation where they are available.
Science
- We are pleased to take advantage every week of the wonderful facilities at Scitech. The activities on the floor are wide ranging and regular use of the Laboratory and Soundhouse provides opportunities to explore science with equipment no school could ever offer.
  
  Older students work in groups in an activity based programme, choosing topics from at least 20 choices, developed in the school. These emphasise Science skills and concept development.
Independent Learning Contracts
- A large part of developing the curriculum is attained by providing each student with the format of a study contract on a topic of their own choice – something that they want to know more about. Topics might range from Fairies to Italy to a favourite film personality to World War II and beyond. Each contract includes components from every content area and requires exploration of material from books, videos, Internet, even excursions. The results of their explorations can be presented in writing, art work, cooking, computer presentations, videos or whatever is suitable to the student and the topic.
Fine Arts
- MUSIC: Includes singing, listening, games, dancing, composition, writing, notation, instrumental. Music is "core" at KIDS. We introduce a wide range of experiences, music from mediaeval and renaissance periods through to the present times. Many students are learning to play an instrument. We usually write at least one original play or show each year which forms a focus for one term including the term camp, and which climaxes in an end-of-term performance.
  
  ART & CRAFT: Also "core", integrated with other subject areas as well.
  
  When students do an Independent Study Contract there is an art and craft section. Drawing is ongoing and a wide variety of media and activities are offered. The art theme is given priority for at least one camp and results in two dimensional and three dimensional art pieces which are exhibited at the end of the year. Some have been retained.
Social Issues
- Social Issues. A programme is designed to deal with any issues which are topical and relevant, a blending of current affairs and community concerns.
Physical Activities
- Physical Activities. Swimming is the main activity for summer. In other terms, a weekly visit to a gymnasium provides opportunities for trampoline, bars and vaults, ballroom dancing and basketball. We encourage cooperative and trust games.
Indonesian
- Indonesian is our second language, because Indonesia is geographically our closest neighbour, and Malaysia nearby. As well as the language, we learn about the culture, customs and music of the people, the history and the geography.
Camps
- Camps.
  Four camps a year provide unparalleled opportunities to develop self sufficiency. Students are involved in planning activities, meal planning and preparation, shopping, cleaning, caring for partners. In general, the purpose is to build a school community.



Please click on the curricular area you are interested in. Language KIDS School begins students with an Individual Language Experience Programme. Beginners think of a story and draw a picture to match it. Then they tell the story to a staff person who scribes it for them, thus creating their own reading book – a source of word cards and sentence cards. Later, students may draft the story themselves for correct scribing into their Daybook. These Daybooks also provide vocabulary for the beginning writing programme. By watching the scribing process they see and hear a model to follow in their own writing. Speedwriting helps to develop students’ skill in putting words on the page. They write without corrections or reviewing for ten minutes. If no more, this develops fluency, but it can be the basis of a more developed story, or their own reading book, or an opportunity develop more conventional spelling and grammar. Older students are paired with younger ones to hear them read and read to them. This is a great encouragement to older students, who can read to a very appreciative audience. The aims of a Silent reading programme are to have students learn to choose a book which will interest them for a period of about 15 minutes consecutively; to help students learn to concentrate on a book for that period of time; for reading (or looking athte book) to be sustained; uninterrupted; for silent reading skills to grow. We create Pencraft worksheets starting with manuscript lettering, with a later transition to cursive writing, using the general vocabulary which is commonly used by most students of each age. Photocopies are made and the student copies the model. Words and writing are introduced in meaningful context. There are many ways to record your experiences. We encourage students to record on audio and video tapes, to use Power Point presentations as well as in writing. Mathematics A “hands-on” approach is much encouraged. We supply a wealth of concrete materials from coloured rods, Lego, tangrams to jigsaw puzzles and math games. We encourage students to use maths in real life situations – shopping, cooking, woodwork projects and sewing projects. In an integrated programme, maths occurs secondarily in many other activities, eg. Art and music. Each student has a workbook selected to be her/his course, at the correct lvel, so that some form of abstract math is developed hand-in-hand with concrete learning. Workbooks have a problem-solving approach or activity orientation where they are available. Science We are pleased to take advantage every week of the wonderful facilities at Scitech. The activities on the floor are wide ranging and regular use of the Laboratory and Soundhouse provides opportunities to explore science with equipment no school could ever offer. Older students work in groups in an activity based programme, choosing topics from at least 20 choices, developed in the school. These emphasise Science skills and concept development. Independent Learning Contracts A large part of developing the curriculum is attained by providing each student with the format of a study contract on a topic of their own choice – something that they want to know more about. Topics might range from Fairies to Italy to a favourite film personality to World War II and beyond. Each contract includes components from every content area and requires exploration of material from books, videos, Internet, even excursions. The results of their explorations can be presented in writing, art work, cooking, computer presentations, videos or whatever is suitable to the student and the topic. Fine Arts MUSIC: Includes singing, listening, games, dancing, composition, writing, notation, instrumental. Music is "core" at KIDS. We introduce a wide range of experiences, music from mediaeval and renaissance periods through to the present times. Many students are learning to play an instrument. We usually write at least one original play or show each year which forms a focus for one term including the term camp, and which climaxes in an end-of-term performance. ART & CRAFT: Also "core", integrated with other subject areas as well. When students do an Independent Study Contract there is an art and craft section. Drawing is ongoing and a wide variety of media and activities are offered. The art theme is given priority for at least one camp and results in two dimensional and three dimensional art pieces which are exhibited at the end of the year. Some have been retained. Social Issues Social Issues. A programme is designed to deal with any issues which are topical and relevant, a blending of current affairs and community concerns. Physical Activities Physical Activities. Swimming is the main activity for summer. In other terms, a weekly visit to a gymnasium provides opportunities for trampoline, bars and vaults, ballroom dancing and basketball. We encourage cooperative and trust games. Indonesian Indonesian is our second language, because Indonesia is geographically our closest neighbour, and Malaysia nearby. As well as the language, we learn about the culture, customs and music of the people, the history and the geography. Camps Camps. Four camps a year provide unparalleled opportunities to develop self sufficiency. Students are involved in planning activities, meal planning and preparation, shopping, cleaning, caring for partners. In general, the purpose is to build a school community.

Language

Mathematics

Science

Independent Learning Contracts

Fine Arts

Social Issues

Physical Activities

Indonesian

Camps