Culturally responsive framework
THE Ontario curriculum, through curricular expectations for each grade level, describes what students are expected to know and be able to do in each subject area.
At Sunway International School (SIS), the curriculum is guided by the Ontario Ministry of Education and modified to be culturally relevant and responsive to support students in achieving the expectations outlined in each grade level.
SIS teachers use the programme documents from Ontario to develop lesson and unit plans as well as assessment strategies.
They create learning experiences that fit Malaysian and Asian values while staying true to the Canadian framework.
The Canadian (Ontario) full-day kindergarten and primary school (Grade 1 to Grade 6) programmes are offered at SIS' Sunway Iskandar campus in Medini, Johor.
The SIS campus in Sunway City in Selangor offers the Canadian (Ontario) secondary school programme from Grade 7 to Grade 12. Both SIS campuses offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) as well.
As students are unique with different levels of subject understanding and skills, the programmes are personalised to meet individual needs.
In line with the Ontario ethos, the SIS team is committed to ensuring that the school provides an inclusive education, works towards removing barriers and creates conditions conducive to all students’ success.
Special education programmes and services provide extra support to help children with special needs. In addition, English as a Second Language (ESL) support is available for students who are new English language learners.
Teaching strategies
To help each student take the next step in learning, SIS teachers use individualised methods of instruction for learning activities in class and through homework.
SIS teachers understand that students at these levels learn concepts better when they see and experience the subjects.
Language and communication skills are emphasised at the primary level. For example, beyond just getting the right answer in mathematics, it is important to be able to explain how it was calculated.
SIS teachers present problems for students to discuss and solve rather than place emphasis on the memorisation of facts.
Students at SIS are encouraged to think critically and understand conceptually. They learn to sort out facts from assumptions, think logically, ask questions, form opinions about what they learn and express their opinions in class.
Working in groups is also important at the primary level to develop students’ language and communications skills.
Students learn to collaborate, share responsibilities, and listen and learn from the opinions of others.
Assessment for and as learning
Assessment is the process of gathering information that reflects student progress towards achieving curricular expectations in a subject.
The primary purpose of assessment is to improve student learning. Assessment for the purpose of improving student learning is seen as both assessment for learning and assessment as learning.
As part of assessment for learning, SIS teachers provide students with descriptive feedback and coaching for improvement.
Teachers engage in assessment as learning by helping all students develop their capacity to be independent learners who can set individual goals, monitor their own progress, determine next steps, and reflect on their thinking and learning.
Teachers at SIS obtain assessment information through a variety of means, including formal and informal observations, discussions, questioning, conferences, homework, group tasks, demonstrations, projects, portfolios, peer and selfassessments, self-reflections, essays and tests.
By using this wide array of assessment practices, a more complete understanding of students’ progress and next steps is acquired.
The curriculum from Canada (Ontario) has been tested against rigorous standards. Over the past two decades, Ontario students’ Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) test results in reading, writing and mathematics have seen steady gains.
SIS is pleased to offer a curriculum from one of the leading educational jurisdictions in the world, delivered by certified Canadian teachers.
SIS will be hosting a Parent Info Session at its Sunway City and Sunway Iskandar campuses from 10am to 1pm on Sept 30.
For more information, call 03-7491 8070/07-297 8070 or visit www.sis.sunway.edu.my.