Primary : Grade 1 to Grade 5
Grades 1 to 5
Primary School
The Primary School curriculum at GEMS Al Khaleej International School (GEMS AKIS) is offered for Grades 1 to 5. Students grow and develop in an environment which encourages them to learn a variety of skills both academically and socially. Our approach is child-centered, and the curriculum is designed to enable children of various abilities to learn as a group, as well as individually.
At AKIS, a child’s progress is of great importance, and every support is given to help children achieve their full potential.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects Introduced at Each Stage
- American Curriculum - Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for all subjects taught in English.
- Core subjects: English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
- UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) curriculum for Arabic, Islamic Education, and Social Studies.
- Specialist subjects: Physical Education, Swimming (Grades 1–5), Art, Music, and Library, with ICT introduced from Grade 4.
- Strong focus on reading and literacy through evidence-informed approaches to phonics, fluency, comprehension, and writing.
- Learning organized through thematic units that promote cross-curricular connections and real-world application.
- Physical Education
- Swimming
- Art
- Music
- Library
- ICT from Grade 4
Support & Progress
Teacher Pupil Ratio and Assessment Mode
- Every classroom is supported by a classroom teacher and a teaching assistant.
- Smaller class sizes in Grade 1 to support the transition from Kindergarten to Elementary School.
- Combination of formative and summative assessment.
- Ongoing assessment through observations, classwork, projects, quizzes, and formal assessments.
- Regular reporting through progress reports, parent-teacher conferences, and ongoing parent communication.
Teaching with purpose
Teaching & Learning Approach
- Balance of explicit instruction, guided practice, inquiry, collaborative learning, and hands-on experiences.
- Differentiated instruction to support and challenge all learners.
- Technology is integrated purposefully to enhance learning, with a balanced approach to digital learning and screen time.
- Student leadership opportunities including Student Council, Junior Librarians, and other leadership initiatives.
- Emphasis on character development, wellbeing, and positive relationships alongside academic achievement.
Language Programmes
- English as the language of instruction.
- Arabic, Islamic Education, and Social Studies taught in line with UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) requirements.
- Dedicated English Language Learner (ELL) programme to support students acquiring English as an additional language.