Teaching policies

For children that will live in a rapidly-changing future, we nurture their strong and flexible mentality, based on independence and cooperation. These are the foundations for a child to become a person who plays an active role in the world.

Translingual, with emphasis on the native language

A new challenge for us in order to nurture children to be globally competitive. While prioritizing the native language, Japanese, we will also foster the ability to conduct context-based communications, using appropriate words and behaviors, through learning secondary languages such as English.

Cultivating one’s maximum strength through STEAM education

Through “STEAM” education and a forward-thinking academic environment using ICT (Information and Communication Technology), knowledge acquisition will be fostered as the base. Additionally, we will aim to promote cross-disciplinary and exploration-based learning to cultivate imagination, problem-solving and presentation skills.

We aim to cultivate “Imagination”,
the foundation to lead in a society that coexists with AI.

Tamaishiki Method
(Tamai Method)

Mastering the ability to imagine in order
to achieve reading comprehension.

Many students who struggle with math find word problems and geometric shape problems challenging. The common underlying issue among these types of students is the lack of imagination. In order to solve word problems and problems with figures, it is imperative to have the ability to visualize images in one's mind.
To combat this common issue, "Tamaishiki Method." was introduced to the school. In “Tamaishiki”, students watch animations, then solve the math problems using its corresponding textbooks. These teaching materials were developed to naturally strengthen a child’s ability to "read and visualize the written story in their mind". The students will cultivate strength from visualizing practices, which eventually leads to a firm reading comprehension.

Searching the numbers in some words about foods

KIWAMI AAA+® KIWAMI Shapes®

Cultivating imagination, the strength
essential to solve geometric
shape problems.

With KIWAMI Shapes, students will solve geometry using a computer or a tablet. As KIWAMI Shapes is an independent study, students are able to solve problems at their own pace. This material is specialized in geometric shape problems, where students can have fun while increasing their spatial awareness.

Utilizing forefront ICT education, and nature.

While we provide ICT education using iPads, Loilo Note, Zoom online classes globally, we also put great emphasis on nature. Once we step out of the classroom, there are rice fields ready to be harvested in the school courtyard. And once we step out of the school, we are in the middle of the ancient capital, filled with nature and countless historic architectures.

In an environment where students
can make the best out of their strengths,
we will foster a firm mentality
so they can challenge the world with their expertise.

Tamaishiki ANNIE Sound

We start off the day by reciting English words. Our main goal here is for students to be comfortable with English. Therefore, there is no emphasis on pronouncing the words correctly. Instead, we focus more on speaking out with a clear, confident tone which is the key to making English communication a natural habit. Furthermore, this morning speaking session is a perfect activity for students to wake up at the beginning of the day.

Math in English

A new curriculum at Nara Ikuei Global Elementary School.
This class occupies only 10 to 20 percent of the math curriculum, thus will not compromise the understanding of mathematics. By studying math in English, we aim to improve the student's listening skill and deepen their understanding of English.

Nourish one's creativity freely through
exploration-based learning
and STEAM education.

Science

Throughout the students' entire elementary experience, they will study systematically. Compared to a typical science class, our “Science” class is a multi-age class. We provide opportunities for students to study beyond the border of grades and further aim for each pair of grades to develop scientific eyes at the overnight events. For 1st and 2nd grades, we encourage the students to take an interest in the nature around them and to observe the changes throughout the seasons. In 3rd and 4th grades, they will apply the acquired knowledge and observations towards: experiments, animal care, cultivation and creativity. In 5th and 6th grades, students conduct research projects, exploring the nature around them and form them into scientific thinking and expressions.

Arts

Arts, crafts and music are taught under the art curriculum. While each subject is taught by a specialized teacher, the entry program focuses on piquing the student’s interests and learning to enjoy expressing their own ideas and aspects. The final goal is to create individual projects in craft, improve their musical skills, and produce the musicals or plays in art subjects.

Developing a mind that can present
their own opinion,
based on rational thinking,
rather than simply going along with the majority.

ICT

Starting in 2021, we have been providing a tablet to each student. The tablets are not only used for ICT lessons, but also for various subjects. Students typically use the tablets to search up information; view movies that they will summarize alone or in a group; and have an output by exchanging the opinions in class time.

A student working on a subject with a tablet.

M.R.C.
(Mathematics with reading
comprehension)®

Foster the strength to
materialize mental images
of math and its word problems.

Foster the strength to materialize mental images of math and its word problems. In our “M.R.C.®” lessons, we use a digital whiteboard and solve word problems while having fun. From the stage of “solving problems alongside the videos” to the stage of “comprehending by reading”, students will naturally foster the strength to concentrate and comprehend written information.

S.D.W.
(Science with descriptive writing)®

To strengthen the ability to
describe and answer
from learned knowledge.

To strengthen the ability to describe and answer from learned knowledge. In “S.D.W.®”, we nourish the strength to independently think, answer, and describe. The thinking process, “Huh?”, “Uh-huh”, “Ah got it” creates new neural pathways in the brain and embeds information as a memory. Students will comprehend the problem; visualize; logically think through the information; and explain their logic using words. That is what makes “S.D.W.” unique.

Developing expressivity in both oral
and written
form and utilizing individuality to cultivate communicating skills.

Presentation

Students not only will increase their knowledge in social studies, biology and science but they will develop a habit of forming their own opinions and making good judgements with course content and current affairs. Students will have the opportunities to debate and share their opinions constructively. On such occasions, they use ICT to collect data and communicate their ideas effectively.

Translingual

For many years in Nara Ikuei Global Elementary school, not only did we provide language arts, but we implemented Tamaishiki M.R.C. (Math with reading comprehension): hands-on learning to nourish students' ability to express themselves in their native language, Japanese. And in order to reflect the improvements in language art directly to English and further strengthen the English skills, the students connect with students overseas online, such as India and Malaysia, and we provide opportunity to converse one-on-one with teachers from the Philippines.

Speak Out! Personal

Each lesson is divided into two parts; a group lesson conducted by a Japanese teacher, and one-on-one conversation with a Filipino teacher. We ensure that the English language is retained by inputting using visual and auditory perceptions, then outputting the newly obtained information with one-on-one conversation.

Speak Out! Jr.

Students connect globally with students overseas, in the same age group such as from India / Malaysia, using ZOOM. Students will first-handedly realize the necessity on learning English through connecting and having daily conversations with foreign students. While increasing culture awareness, they will inspire each other. Further we can expect the student's motivation to learn English grow exponentially.

Cultivating collaboration skills to work together
while respecting others' values and opinions.

Basic Advance

For first grade

We have a step up period for the first graders to allow an easy transition from kindergarten and pre-school to a studious atmosphere in elementary school. First, they will learn how to: stand and sit, respond and make presentations. Once everyone can speak out comfortably, they will understand their friends a lot better. Students this age will enjoy things like practicing numbers and reading short poems and stories. During the transitional period from preschool to elementary education, focusing on this kind of voluntary participation will naturally motivate them and aid the master of basic attitudes toward learning such as speaking, listening, seeing and writing.

Advance

From grade 2 to 4

From grade 2 to 4, students mainly study life science and social studies through experience-based learning. We'll guide them to explore the day-to-day things around us and investigate and solve the problems. Where relevant, we will expand these into ESD (Education of Sustainable Development). Therefore, the students will not only study by themselves, but will also learn through collaborating with others and communicating their ideas. We aim to enable the students to continue these approaches in day to day life.

NAKAYOSHI

"NAKAYOSHI" is a 4-6th grade program where they attend group/club activities, regardless of age.
It is composed of 3 groups, motivated for the betterment of their school and 3 clubs, for those that are curiosity-driven and act to deepen their understanding. Fourth grade through sixth grade students are required to attend at least one pre-existing each group and club. This environment, where students can communicate without grade boundaries, provides a growth in the student's communication skills.
Further, each group/club presents and shares their experiences to the whole school, at the upper grade meetings.

Hands-on Learning

We value experience-based learning. Students are the most motivated when they learn through hands-on experiences.
We invite guest teachers to enrich students with experiences. We aim to foster a strong sense of humanity through connecting with others.