The Elementary School at Riverstone serves students ages 3 to 11 in Preschool through Grade 5. The IB Elementary School curriculum for these ages has been designed specifically for international schools and leads into the Middle and High School. Riverstone International School aims to foster ten key attributes and dispositions in our students. These traits create the learner profile of elementary students. Our students are inquirers, communicators, knowledgeable, caring, well-balanced, thinkers, risk-takers, principled, open-minded and reflective. The curriculum is internationally oriented, inquiry-based, integrated, and individualized.

Educating the whole child is central to Riverstone's Elementary School philosophy, with an emphasis on positive attitudes and good character. Homeroom teachers cover academic core subjects of language arts, math, social studies and science. Music, Art, Spanish and Physical Education are taught by specialist teachers in purpose-designed classrooms. Respect, tolerance, integrity, and confidence encourage students to reflect, choose wisely, and act responsibly with other children and their teachers, as well as in the wider community. In addition, parents are considered part of our community and are an integral part of the daily activities at school. Field trips, along with fall, winter and spring outdoor programs enhance students' classroom education.

As a culminating and collaborative activity of the final year of Elementary School, fifth grade students design and present a whole-class project, including written work, oral presentations, technology and art. The exhibition challenges students to analyze and propose solutions to real-world issues, drawing from what they have learned over the course of the years in the IB program.

PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAMME
Six transdisciplinary themes provide the framework for the exploration of knowledge. The six themes help teachers to develop programme of inquiries - in-depth investigations into important ideas, identified by the teachers, and requiring a high level of involvement on the part of the student. These inquiries are substantial, in-depth, and usually last for several weeks. Through this process, students develop an understanding of important concepts, acquire essential skills and knowledge, develop particular attitudes, and learn to take socially-responsible action. The Primary Years Programme encourages both teacher and student self-reflection as a way of monitoring learning. Other types of assessment included in IB are rubrics, anecdotal records, checklists, benchmarks, and portfolios.

HOMEWORK PHILOSOPHY
Homework at Riverstone International School is considered to be an individual and personal matter. The needs of each student are stressed and the quality of work is emphasized. Homework is not given as "busy work," but rather requires students to do what is useful at various stages of learning. Overall, homework at Riverstone International School is seen as a way to reinforce concepts and to reflect upon learning experiences that have taken place during the school day.The nature and duration of any particular homework assignment will vary from student to student and the following are guidelines for each grade level:

Kindergarten	Reading
1st Grade	20 minutes
2nd Grade	20 minutes plus reading
3rd Grade	30 minutes plus reading
4th Grade	40 minutes
5th Grade	50 minutes

To learn more about the IB PYP, view our presentation on the PYP(powerpoint 2004 format). Additional information about the IB can be found on their website at www.ibo.org.

If you would like to know more about the Elementary School at Riverstone please contact: James Hamilton, Elementary School Director. We'd love to share with you how a Riverstone education can make a difference for your child and your family.