Primary School: Grades 1-3
Primary school consists of 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade. The assignment is based on where you live and you get “the letter” with the assignment from the beginning to the middle of June. The classmates, the teachers and the timetable are now official. A list of things your child needs to start school and a letter from the teachers will also be included.
In each class, a class teacher and a subject teacher lead the class together for all of the 3 years. In addition, there are other specialist teachers in the areas of DAZ (German as a second language), IF (special needs therapy ), MGA (basic musical training), TTG (textile and technical design) and swimming.
Here you can find out, what subjects your child will have
1st grade: your child learns to write and read letters and numbers, processes are practiced, self-organization is encouraged, math (plus and minus) in the number range up to 24. The subjects are: german, mathematics, NMG (Nature, Human and Society), MGA (basic musical training), TTG (textile and technical design), BS (exercise and sport), SW (swimming), music, BG (artistic design), RKE (religious culture and ethics). There is homework during the 1st grade. The teachers provide detailed information at the parents’ evening.
2nd grade: The basic skills such as reading, writing and maths are deepened, the number range is expanded to 100. The multiplication table is introduced. The subjects are: German, mathematics, NMG (nature, human and society), MGA (basic musical training), TTG (textile and technical design), BS (exercise and sport), SW (swimming), music, BG (artistic design), RKE (Religions culture and ethics). In 2nd grade, exams are taken, which are graded. The grading scale is divided into “not achieved”, “achieved”, achieved well” and “achieved very well”. The teachers provide detailed information at the parents’ evening.
3rd grade: The basic skills such as reading, writing and maths are deepened, the number range is expanded to 1000. The subjects are: German, mathematics, NMG (nature, human and society), English, HA (arts and crafts), BS (exercise and sport), SW (swimming), music, BG (artistic design), RKE (religions, culture and ethics). Exams are graded. The grade scale ranges from 1 – 6. Grade 6 is the highest and therefore the best grade. The teachers will provide detailed information at the parents’ evening.
Support
Starting school is a new and exciting time for a child. It experiences many new impressions, but is also confronted with new problems and challenges. You can help your child by listening, showing interest, asking how school is going. If you notice any problems, whether school or socially related, please contact the teacher. They are happy to help and can offer a deeper insight.
The following tips and tricks come from our lower school teachers:
- To support your child with listening comprehension and reading, reading aloud and having someone read to you can help a lot. At www.antolin.de, your child can then independently take a quiz about what they have read and thus collect points. The teacher will set up an account for your child. You can log in to this tool via the online network www.schabi.ch. The teacher will also open an account for your child for this purpose.
- The ANTON app is available for support in the field of math. In addition, further learning opportunities are offered on http://www.schabi.ch, such as the LMVZ portal and Blinde Kuh.
- Let your child help you with cooking. This teaches them to deal with hollow masses and weights.
- Let the kid shop. Handling money is practiced.
- Keep asking for the time (analogue and digital).
- Playing board games, card games and strategy games with your child (depending on the game, math skills are encouraged, and frustration tolerance is also increased when losing).
- Enable your child to work in a quiet place.
- A good breakfast and a healthy mid-morning snack helps your child to concentrate better.
- Give your child an everyday task, like putting away dishes or laundry. This strengthens your child’s sense of responsibility and self-confidence.
Gifted Education
For children who learn quickly and easily, there is the Universikum program. It is a kind of children’s university and free for all participants. The child takes part in external events one day a week and is exempt from school lessons during this time. As a rule, the teachers register gifted children in this program after consultation with the parents. However, if as a parent you have the feeling that your child could fit into this program, you can and should contact the teacher to discuss this. But there are also private providers (e.g. Brain-O-Brain) who offer such programs. Most of the time, gifted children would also like to be with their classmates, so it is also important that your child has enough time and space for spontaneous arrangements in it`s free time.
School certificates
No grades are awarded in 1st grade of primary school. Instead of grading, parent talks take place, usually one talk per semester. The performance of your child is confirmed in the certificate.
From 2nd grade, your child will receive a certificate with grades for the first time. In 2nd and 3rd grade, performance in mathematics, german and, if applicable, in the native language and culture are graded. The grade in German will be consisting of the four sub-competencies of listening comprehension, reading comprehension, speaking and writing. All other subjects are not graded.
Regarding the subject English, statements on the performance in listening comprehension and speaking are given.
The grades are not only made up of the written grades, but also of skills (e.g. punctuality, keeping work materials together, doing homework, complying with rules and respect for teachers and classmates, commitment during school hours, etc.).
A detailed list of competencies and what it will look like can be found here.
Parents/Teacher conference
Parent/Teacher conferences usually take place once or twice a year. Your child will participate as well. Your teacher will send you an invitation, usually between december and ferbruary, to discuss your childs school certificates. The teacher will also give you a brief overview of your child’s academic performance and discuss their skills. The following will be discussed:
What was learned?
How does your child learn and work (work and learning behavior)?
Which learning objectives have been achieved and how?
Where and in which learning content/topics is your child interested?
Where are the strengths and where are the gaps?
Where is help and special support needed?
How does your child feel in the classroom? How does it relate to Classmates and towards teachers (social behavior)?
Does your child meet the requirements of the class?
Is/will special support be required (prognostic assessment)?
Certain conversations can be difficult. Not just for us parents and your child. Your teacher also struggles with critically assessing a child. The assessment lists (as seen above) are given and must be filled out neutrally by all teachers. Your teacher also only wants the best for your child and is trained to recognize if support is needed at an early stage and then offer the necessary support. If everybody works together, success can be achieved faster. Possible solutions and suggestions for improvement are already recorded in a protocol during the parent/teacher conference. After spring break, a second appraisal is usually held to assess the current situation and correct it if necessary, or to praise and continue to support your child when it has achieved its goals.
German