The CNIS Middle School Program (CMSP)
CNIS offer preparatory studies for international students wishing to pursue the IB Diploma program through its CNIS Middle School Program (CMSP).
The program is designed to carter for students in the age group of 13 to 18 years. The duration of the program can be from 1 to 5 years depending on point of entry. This flexible arrangement is to facilitate international students who transfer to Singapore from other countries yet wish to complete their IB Diploma program.
The CNIS Middle School is partitioned into:
· The Main Stream (Grades 7 to 10)
· The ESL Department
The ESL Department
An entrance placement test in mathematics and English language determines a student’s entry point. Applicants whose English level is at or below the A2 level of the CEFR Common European Framework of Reference for Language – (http://www.coe.int/T/DG4/Portfolio/?L=E&M=/main_pages/levels.html) have to first go through a rigorous 1 to 4 terms of language training in the ESL Department before proceeding to the Main Stream.
The ESL department takes a holistic approach to language acquisition. Students are taught the basic skills of:
· listening,
· speaking,
· reading and
· writing
through activities such role play and project work to build up their confidence, social and communication skill in using English to express themselves.
ESL students also take maths and science lessons that emphasize acquisition of scientific and mathematical vocabulary, building of good study habits and positive attitudes to learning that will help them integrate into the main stream classes.
The Main Stream
The medium of instruction is English. Students entering the main stream must be able to demonstrate, some English language skills at the CEF B1 (intermediate) level.
All students must take up a second language. Chinese speaking students take Chinese Literature while non-Chinese speaking students take up Chinese as a Second Language (CSL). Japanese and Korean are also available.
The major areas of study in the main stream are:
· Mathematics
· English
· Information Technology
· Humanities (history, geography, personal development)
· Sciences (integrated science, physics, chemistry, biology)
· Chinese Literature
· Chinese as a Second Language (CSL) /Japanese / Korean
· Physical Education
· Fine Art
· Music
Mathematics:
The mathematics course makes maths assessable to all students by organizing it into two levels:
· Standard Level mathematics
· Extended Level mathematics.
All students cover the standard level mathematics. Specialized topics needed for the study of mathematical based science subjects and for high level mathematics at the IB Diploma level are set aside as the Extended Level mathematics units and are taught at grade 10. The grade 10 is regarded as a Pre-IB Diploma preparation year and so students can opt for either standard mathematics only or take in addition the extended mathematics units depending on their performance, future IB Diploma needs and the teacher’s recommendation.
The course approach emphasis student development in mathematical manipulation skills and understanding in the following branches of mathematics:
· Number
· Algebra
· Plane Geometry & Vector Geometry
· Trigonometry
· Statistics and Probability
· Sets & Logic
Humanities:
The humanities course seeks to build the student’s understanding and attitude to how civilization and government were founded and how they developed to become what we know them as today. The approach to humanities is a holistic one which integrates both the historical human aspects of change in society as well as the geographical challenges that had to be overcome to achieve these changes.
In grade 7, the social studies classes focus on civilization & development in Asia. This is expanded to include the medieval world in Europe & America and the major historical happenings in rest of the world that have shaped the world today. By grade 9, the student is well equipped to explore and understand the factors that shaped world history in the 19th Century and which led to the current world socio-political status. Finally, in grade 10, the emphasis is shifted to the study of geography in order to give the student a well rounded view of how natural resources have been used and can still be used to develop and support civilizations.
Sciences:
The science course seeks help students discover science through investigation. The student learns to process information by relating it to everyday occurrences or applying it to understand other scientific concepts. In grades 7 and 8 an integrated approach is taken and the content is divided into the following themes and sub-topics:
· Particles
o Particle theory of matter
o Atoms, elements, compounds, solution, mixtures & metals
o Chemical reagents like acids & alkalis, Chemical reactions
o Environmental chemistry, the rocks & weathering
· Cells
o Cell structure, respiration,
o Plants & photosynthesis
o Food and digestion, fitness & health, microbes & disease
o Reproduction, inheritance and selection
· Interdependence
o Ecology, ecological relationships
o The environment, plants for food
· Forces
o The nature of forces – gravity
o Consequences of forces: speed, acceleration
o Concept pressure
o Moments
o Types of forces: magnetic, electromagnetic, mechanical
· Energy
o Energy resources: generation of energy
o Forms of energy: electrical, heat, sound
In grades 9 and 10, science is re-introduced in its usual format as the separate subjects of physics, chemistry and biology. Each subject is supported by laboratory work and projects to give students a hands-on experience with scientific concepts. The content for grades 9 and 10 science subjects follow closely the University of Cambridge International Examinations structure for the IGCSE.
Languages:
The language of instruction in the middle school is English and is a compulsory subject. All students have to study a second language. They are free to offer their mother tongue as the second language. Currently, the languages available are Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Students who are familiar with their second language take literature studies in the language. Beginners study at a more basic level focusing on listening, reading, writing and speaking skills.
English is taught at an academic level. Students are expected to be able to do projects and make presentations completely in English. They develop skills of analyzing and producing various text types including narratives, descriptions and arguments. Good grammar and comprehension are core areas that all students are required to achieve proficiency. Language teaching and assessment is based on the Common European Framework (CEF) Levels in which grade 7 students progress from the intermediate level of English to the intermediate level in grade 8, the advanced level in grade 9 and through to the proficient user level by the end of grade 10.
The Arts:
Fine art and music are offered to all grades. Fine art covers the basic sketching, drawing and painting techniques. Use of various materials such as pencil, charcoal and oil and water based paints is taught. Chinese calligraphy is a specialty topic for the fine art subject. A calligraphy competition is held annually at the school.
Music is also taught to all mainstream students. The basic concepts of music notation, harmony, rhythm as well as the history of music are taught,
Technology:
Currently Information Technology (IT) is taught to all grades. Students engage in projects where they learn to find information on the web and use standard presentation tools like Microsoft office. Advanced students learn to create web pages as well as the technicalities of the World Wide Web.
Assessment:
Assessment is considered a core component of student learning. All middle year subjects therefore follow a standard format consisting of 40% formative assessment and 60% summative assessment.
Assessment activities aim to help students develop in the four major areas of:
1. Knowledge: students are expected to recall a minimum of facts ensure competence in the subject.
2. Understanding: students are expected to use known facts of subject area to interpret, predict and analyze new situations.
3. Skills: students are expected to perform tasks that have been learned by applying them to similar or new situations.
4. Attitudes: students are expected to be responsible for their own learning and build up positive learning experiences.
Strategies used in formative assessment include daily in-class exercises, homework, observation of student responses, class discussions & presentations, elicited responses, directed questioning, weekly quizzes, essays, lab reports, worksheets, concept mapping, unit tests and student survey/feedback etc. The specific combinations used depend on the subject and the teacher and will contribute to 40% of the overall year’s assessment.
The remaining 60% of the assessment comprises the two mid-term examinations and two end-of-semester examinations that are summative in nature. The second end-of-semester exam is actually the end of year exam that covers all topics covered throughout the year.
CNIS Middle School Development:
The administrative and academic processes within the middle are current undergoing major adjustments to align the middle school with the Primary Year Program (PYP) as well as with the IB Diploma program. A feasibility study is currently in progress determined requirements needed to be fulfilled in order to implement the IB MYP. It’s targeted to achieve MYP candidate status by the end of 2010 and recognized MYP School by 2012.
