ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM: G1-G5 (6-11YO)
The curricular focus of the United School of Tokyo is to develop the whole child. This goal is approached in a variety of ways to best suit a variety of learners. It is important to remember that children are individuals with their own areas of strength and areas for growth. Our perspective is to utilize these strengths and assist with individual needs through the use of a group dynamic and collaboration. We also educate each child to have a global perspective. Through reinforcing the understanding that each student is a member of a global community, children are more aware of the effect that they have on the world and how that world affects them. UST incorporates these ideas in our curriculum design to ensure that students are engaged and challenged in their learning.
LITERACY
Reading
Our reading program uses the American Common Core Standards and is designed to develop strong comprehension skills through the use of a variety of reading strategies. Students engage with a wide range of texts and learn to apply appropriate strategies to gain meaning and deepen their understanding. By using multiple books rather than a single textbook, students are exposed to diverse genres, styles, and levels of complexity, helping them build reading stamina and strengthen comprehension. Children are expected to read regularly both at school and at home. UST implements a guided reading approach in which students’ reading levels are assessed and closely monitored, allowing teachers to provide targeted support and work individually with students to support continued growth in reading skills.
Writing
Similar to reading, writing is an integral part of daily learning. Our writing program uses the American Common Core Standards and supports students in developing the ability to clearly express ideas across a range of developmental stages, from early exploration through proficient writing. Students engage in daily writing opportunities in a variety of formats, including journal entries, written responses, creative writing and research-based tasks. Teachers provide ongoing feedback and guidance throughout the writing process to support growth and improvement. Reading and writing instruction are intentionally connected to provide students with meaningful opportunities to strengthen both skills and apply them across contexts.
Our reading program uses the American Common Core Standards and is designed to develop strong comprehension skills through the use of a variety of reading strategies. Students engage with a wide range of texts and learn to apply appropriate strategies to gain meaning and deepen their understanding. By using multiple books rather than a single textbook, students are exposed to diverse genres, styles, and levels of complexity, helping them build reading stamina and strengthen comprehension. Children are expected to read regularly both at school and at home. UST implements a guided reading approach in which students’ reading levels are assessed and closely monitored, allowing teachers to provide targeted support and work individually with students to support continued growth in reading skills.
Writing
Similar to reading, writing is an integral part of daily learning. Our writing program uses the American Common Core Standards and supports students in developing the ability to clearly express ideas across a range of developmental stages, from early exploration through proficient writing. Students engage in daily writing opportunities in a variety of formats, including journal entries, written responses, creative writing and research-based tasks. Teachers provide ongoing feedback and guidance throughout the writing process to support growth and improvement. Reading and writing instruction are intentionally connected to provide students with meaningful opportunities to strengthen both skills and apply them across contexts.
NUMERACY
Math
UST math standards are based on the Common Core Math standards that promote a deeper understanding of concepts and encourage learning of multiple strategies to solve problems. The main math program used by the school is Math in Focus, the US edition of Singapore Math, along with other supplemental materials. With this program, students develop skills in number sense, geometry and spatial sense, problem-solving strategies, algebraic and formulaic equations, and probability and ratio. Students are encouraged to develop the skills to explain their reasoning for their answers and to demonstrate their use of multiple strategies.
UST math standards are based on the Common Core Math standards that promote a deeper understanding of concepts and encourage learning of multiple strategies to solve problems. The main math program used by the school is Math in Focus, the US edition of Singapore Math, along with other supplemental materials. With this program, students develop skills in number sense, geometry and spatial sense, problem-solving strategies, algebraic and formulaic equations, and probability and ratio. Students are encouraged to develop the skills to explain their reasoning for their answers and to demonstrate their use of multiple strategies.
UNITS OF INQUIRY
Science
In science, students are encouraged to think and act like scientists. They develop strong observational and inferential skills that are applied both in science lessons and across other areas of learning. Students learn and practice the scientific process, understanding the importance of following it carefully to achieve meaningful and accurate results. Our school uses Mystery Science, an NGSS-aligned science program that supports inquiry-based learning in grades K–8. Each grade level explores units in life science, earth and space science, and physical science through engaging lessons and hands-on investigations. Through these experiences, students build a concrete understanding of scientific concepts and deepen their understanding of the world around them.
Social Studies
Students learn about their place in society and throughout history through an inquiry-based social studies approach. The curriculum explores social interaction, geographic influences, economic systems, language and cultural perspectives, and religious impacts and history. Students examine how wants and needs shape societies as well as their own lives by asking questions, investigating sources, and engaging in meaningful discussion. Through this approach, students develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
In science, students are encouraged to think and act like scientists. They develop strong observational and inferential skills that are applied both in science lessons and across other areas of learning. Students learn and practice the scientific process, understanding the importance of following it carefully to achieve meaningful and accurate results. Our school uses Mystery Science, an NGSS-aligned science program that supports inquiry-based learning in grades K–8. Each grade level explores units in life science, earth and space science, and physical science through engaging lessons and hands-on investigations. Through these experiences, students build a concrete understanding of scientific concepts and deepen their understanding of the world around them.
Social Studies
Students learn about their place in society and throughout history through an inquiry-based social studies approach. The curriculum explores social interaction, geographic influences, economic systems, language and cultural perspectives, and religious impacts and history. Students examine how wants and needs shape societies as well as their own lives by asking questions, investigating sources, and engaging in meaningful discussion. Through this approach, students develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
JAPANESE
Our Japanese program and standards are developed based on the Japanese National curriculum. Students use textbooks and supplementary materials used in Japanese elementary schools. Japanese classes at UST are taught daily tailored to students' levels (Beginner and Advanced). The program incorporates reading, writing, kanji, culture and social studies.
PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS
Visual Arts
Our Visual Arts and Music programs are based on the Ontario Arts Curriculum. The program is developed to encourage children to experiment enthusiastically with art materials and investigate the ideas presented to them through visual arts instruction. Creation is at the heart of this instruction. Students learn to work with various tools, processes, and media. As part of our Outdoor Education program, students get frequent opportunities to seek their inspiration or create their artwork outside the classroom. They learn to coordinate their hands and minds in explorations of the visual world. Their natural inquisitiveness is promoted, and they learn the value of perseverance. Art at UST is taught as an interdisciplinary subject and is often integrated with Music, Literacy and Units of Inquiry (Social Studies and Science). Students learn vocabulary and concepts associated with various types of work in the visual arts and must exhibit their competence at various levels in visual, oral, and written form.
Music
Students learn the basics of musical theory through active participation in musical activities. Reading and writing music are utilized in the classroom to encourage students to develop better music appreciation by taking part in creating music themselves. Every course in music provides instruction in creating, performing, listening to, and analyzing music, in addition to focusing on its specific subject matter. Students learn to express themselves creatively through singing, playing instruments, and composing in class and in front of an audience at school concerts.
UST also offers an array of musical extracurricular activities to help children further develop their musical talents
Our Visual Arts and Music programs are based on the Ontario Arts Curriculum. The program is developed to encourage children to experiment enthusiastically with art materials and investigate the ideas presented to them through visual arts instruction. Creation is at the heart of this instruction. Students learn to work with various tools, processes, and media. As part of our Outdoor Education program, students get frequent opportunities to seek their inspiration or create their artwork outside the classroom. They learn to coordinate their hands and minds in explorations of the visual world. Their natural inquisitiveness is promoted, and they learn the value of perseverance. Art at UST is taught as an interdisciplinary subject and is often integrated with Music, Literacy and Units of Inquiry (Social Studies and Science). Students learn vocabulary and concepts associated with various types of work in the visual arts and must exhibit their competence at various levels in visual, oral, and written form.
Music
Students learn the basics of musical theory through active participation in musical activities. Reading and writing music are utilized in the classroom to encourage students to develop better music appreciation by taking part in creating music themselves. Every course in music provides instruction in creating, performing, listening to, and analyzing music, in addition to focusing on its specific subject matter. Students learn to express themselves creatively through singing, playing instruments, and composing in class and in front of an audience at school concerts.
UST also offers an array of musical extracurricular activities to help children further develop their musical talents
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT AND HEALTH
Physical Education
Our Physical Education and Health programs are based on the Australian Health and Physical Education Curriculum. Students learn how to move their bodies to maintain a healthy lifestyle, move within their environment, move during cooperative play, and safely manipulate a variety of objects. P.E. also teaches students the importance of positive team interaction, collaboration in goal setting, and good sportsmanship.
Our PE program, while having the indoor sports and swimming components, mainly focuses on being outdoors, making use of various sporting facilities available to our students: indoor gym, athletic field, soccer field, and swimming pool.
Health
Health is taught in a variety of forms. Students learn the essentials of maintaining proper physical, mental and emotional health. Mental health incorporates a positive self-view, understanding of one's limitations, and understanding the impact of stress on the mind and body. Physical health teaches the student about the human anatomy, proper diet and exercise, the effects of rest on the body, the need for proper hygiene, and other aspects of physical health. Emotional health consists of decision-making, goal setting, and interaction with others.
Our Physical Education and Health programs are based on the Australian Health and Physical Education Curriculum. Students learn how to move their bodies to maintain a healthy lifestyle, move within their environment, move during cooperative play, and safely manipulate a variety of objects. P.E. also teaches students the importance of positive team interaction, collaboration in goal setting, and good sportsmanship.
Our PE program, while having the indoor sports and swimming components, mainly focuses on being outdoors, making use of various sporting facilities available to our students: indoor gym, athletic field, soccer field, and swimming pool.
Health
Health is taught in a variety of forms. Students learn the essentials of maintaining proper physical, mental and emotional health. Mental health incorporates a positive self-view, understanding of one's limitations, and understanding the impact of stress on the mind and body. Physical health teaches the student about the human anatomy, proper diet and exercise, the effects of rest on the body, the need for proper hygiene, and other aspects of physical health. Emotional health consists of decision-making, goal setting, and interaction with others.
GUIDANCE
Guidance class is one period a week in which students don't have to worry about tests or homework or "getting it right" in any way. This time is set aside to allow students to focus on developing their social and emotional skills. While there is always a lesson plan supporting the 7 units that students work through, this class time can be turned over to addressing the needs of the students. These needs could be as local as a classroom dispute or as global as discussing world events and how they affect our students. The topics connect to things such as school values, peaceful problem solving, non-violent communication, the environment, and world issues. Guidance units are taught as one topic across all grade levels so that there can be common themes and activities connecting the students, while, of course, being adapted for each group to be age-appropriate.
TECHNOLOGY
Technology and information science
Digital literacy, the effective and creative use of ICT, is key to developing the skills for learning, life and work needed by young people in the modern world and is embedded in students' learning experience, especially in Grade 3 and up. Our IT program is designed to teach children how technology is utilized in the world around them and how to effectively and ethically use the tools in front of them. Our goal is to teach students that though technology is a great tool, it has its place and can be used in positive and negative ways. The students also learn how to use online sources for research to complement the usage of traditional sources: books, journals, newspapers, and magazines.
Digital literacy, the effective and creative use of ICT, is key to developing the skills for learning, life and work needed by young people in the modern world and is embedded in students' learning experience, especially in Grade 3 and up. Our IT program is designed to teach children how technology is utilized in the world around them and how to effectively and ethically use the tools in front of them. Our goal is to teach students that though technology is a great tool, it has its place and can be used in positive and negative ways. The students also learn how to use online sources for research to complement the usage of traditional sources: books, journals, newspapers, and magazines.
LEARNING SUPPORT
English as a Second Language (ESL) and Learning Support (LS)
Starting from our K2 class (4YO), UST offers ESL and LS support to children who need help developing their English skills or to support specific learning needs. Support is provided at individual levels, in a one-on-one or small-group setting, to enhance the learning experience. Students receiving support are generally pulled out of their Japanese classes for a certain number of times per week to focus on developing core skills in a smaller setting.
Starting from our K2 class (4YO), UST offers ESL and LS support to children who need help developing their English skills or to support specific learning needs. Support is provided at individual levels, in a one-on-one or small-group setting, to enhance the learning experience. Students receiving support are generally pulled out of their Japanese classes for a certain number of times per week to focus on developing core skills in a smaller setting.
