Advantages of the IB Primary Years Programme
- We have a low teacher-to-student ratio which allows us to provide a differentiated curriculum with focused attention on the unique needs of each student. Our strong School Community, the AMADEUS Family, supports our new and existing students who come to us from schools around the world.
- Our experienced, well-qualified, international staff are highly trained and have years of experience teaching the Primary Years Programme. We recruit educators from around the world because we believe our students can best understand the concept of global citizenship when their teachers are themselves globally representative.
- The PYP curriculum encourages the development of globally-minded, curious, and independent learners. At AMADEUS Vienna, we prioritise literacy and numeracy in the primary years. We benchmark our students against international standards and use these to inform teaching, learning, and reporting.
- At AMADEUS Vienna we have a commitment to multilingualism. While English is our language of instruction, PYP students at AMADEUS Vienna also study German daily.
- We strive to make each child feel safe and at home. A rich variety of After School Activities allows our students to engage in creativity, sports, musical, fun, and artistic activities in a relaxed and sociable atmosphere.
- We care for the whole child. Our Primary School has a strong Pastoral programme committed to supporting the growth of vibrant, resilient, and successful lifelong learners.
- Our creative Arts and Enrichment Programme allows all students to select a type of art, music, or dance once a week. In addition, there are Music, Art, and Choir lessons timetabled weekly.
- Digital Integration in the curriculum. Led by one of our Apple Distinguished Educators, AMADEUS Vienna now has one-to-one iPads in the higher grades in Primary School and one to two students in the lower grades. Every student has a digital portfolio that contributes to our Assessment, feedback, and reporting.
AMADEUS Primary Years Programme | Activities & Stories
EY 3: "Storytelling"
We were thrilled to showcase the incredible storytelling taking place in the EY3 classroom. The students have embarked on a vibrant journey of creativity during their “How We Express Ourselves” unit. Each week, our provocations have inspired these young learners to step into the role of authors. With just paper, drawing tools, and their limitless imagination, the EY3 students have been delving into the art of storytelling, bringing their thoughts and feelings to life on the page.
As we near the conclusion of Term 1, we were excited to celebrate the storytelling accomplishments of our EY3 students this week. (See more pictures below)
In the coming weeks, we will shift our focus to our ongoing Unit of Inquiry, exploring how our year is organised and the various celebrations that occur throughout it. We will pay special attention to light-based festivals as we approach the end of the year. On the morning of December 20th, we will join together with EY1 and EY2 for a light festival celebration.
Grade 1: Inquiry - Jobs
The big idea of our new inquiry is learning about the different jobs in the community. We enjoyed watching the children build their own student-led role play areas this week including a hotel and a pet shop. They assigned roles, made tickets, exchanged money. and made signs. It was wonderful to step back and listen to the way they organised themselves.
We also talked about the different jobs people have at AMADEUS Vienna and what the jobs look like to us. There are some great opportunities for language and maths skills that we are excited to explore in the coming weeks.
Grade 2: Inquiry - Natural Resources
Our inquiry time looked further into natural resources as we also considered pollution and environmental impact. Students used their creativity to make posters encouraging others to help save the planet.
Grade 3: Inquiry - Code of Hammurabi
This week in Inquiry, students wrapped up their exploration of ancient Mesopotamia and its significant contributions to modern civilization. One highlight was learning about the Code of Hammurabi, the first set of written laws that helped unite early civilizations.
Students then created their own laws and practiced writing them in the original cuneiform script. They also had fun writing their names in cuneiform, gaining insight into why writing systems have evolved to become more efficient and easier to use. It was an engaging way to connect the past with the present!
Grade 4: Inquiry - Hundertwasser
Students showcased their art pieces inspired by Hundertwasser, focusing on the theme of conservation. They shared five sustainable practices they’ve incorporated into their daily lives and explained how their artwork reflects the concept of conservation.
Additionally, we discussed ecosystem services, explored various examples, and analyzed different resources by comparing their supply and demand. Students read a fact book about supply and demand, and answered comprehension questions to show their understanding.
Grade 5: Literacy - Wonder
This week in Literacy, students chose creative ways to express what we’ve learned about Via, her thoughts, and her feelings about herself and her role in the family. We also practiced writing character descriptions and discussed how important it is not to define a person based on certain aspects of their lives.
Homework: Read the assigned chapters in Wonder and answer the comprehension questions!
We welcome the opportunity for prospective students and their families to visit AMADEUS Vienna and learn more about our unique programme and inspiring school environment. Contact our Admissions team to ask your questions or schedule a tour.