Grades 1 - 4
Caring for every child means: Knowing every child.
The first day of school holds a special place in everyone's memory. At GIST, we strive to make this day truly unforgettable. That's why we celebrate it by embracing a cherished German tradition—the colourful "Schultüten" brought to school by children. The Elementary school at GIST, covering grades 1 through 4, advocates for critical thinking, responsibility, and open-mindedness. We highly value diversity and multilingualism, concentrating on students' existing competencies and consistently working to improve them. This dedication is reinforced by our ability to provide exceptional care for every child. We achieve this through our profound understanding of each student, facilitated by our small class sizes, excellent student-teacher ratio, and personalized approach to teaching.
Subjects
At GIST, our curriculum is designed to optimize the strengths of both German and Canadian educational foundations. In mathematics, we adhere to German curricular standards, covering arithmetic, measurements, and geometry learning areas with a spiral development approach.
Languages
Language acquisition is at the heart of our educational approach. While the majority of our instruction is in German, children with little or no German experience are still able to enter our Primary School. Due to our unique three-step German language program, we facilitate a progressive learning journey for all students. The 'GIST curriculum' for English, drawn from both Ontario and Thuringian curricula, accommodates the needs of native speakers and provides quick access to beginners. The French language program, introduced in Grade 1, aligns with the German curriculum, focusing on basic competences while encouraging students to explore the beauty of the French language.
STEAM_MINT
Our STEAM_MINT program in elementary school focuses on promoting mathematics, IT, science, and technology through hands-on and experimental learning. It aims to spark children’s curiosity and interest, while fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity.
Transitioning
Ensuring a smooth transition to other schools is a vital aspect of our educational approach. Teachers in both elementary and secondary levels work closely together to support students as they move into Grade 5. We also conduct standardized tests, which provide valuable assessments for our students and help prepare them for future academic challenges.