Curriculum Guide
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Elementary School Curriculum
Curriculum Guide
International education encourages the mother tongue development and the provision of a broad range of language learning opportunities, and fosters intercultural awareness and international mindedness.
The language of instruction at AAS is English. The change in language of instruction may be a challenge for students who are not proficient in that language and these students might need language support.
In our K-12 language arts program, we seek to nurture the love of language arts and focus on the process of effective communication through reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Through problem solving, reasoning, logic, and communication in a variety of situations, students come to appreciate the wider application and use of mathematics, both as a discipline in its own right and as a means of interpreting and understanding the world.
Music education contributes to many areas of children’s growth and can give them the joy of creating something uniquely their own, both individually and in groups.
The main focus of the elementary school Physical Education program is to keep the students active, build knowledge, skills and positive attitude and make students aware of the benefits of physical activity for health and recreation during a lifetime.
The ultimate goal of the ES Science program is to develop scientific thinking and understanding while nurturing a lifelong curiosity and awe for our world.
Through a strong Visual Art program, students gain opportunities to become more aware of their environment and their relationship to it; learn artistic techniques and skills; enjoy and appreciate their own art and that of others; and make interactive studies of aspects of art history.
There are three language options in the Elementary School -- Bulgarian (as a mother tongue or as a foreign language), French, and most recently -- Spanish.
Middle School Curriculum
International education encourages the mother tongue development and the provision of a broad range of language learning opportunities, and fosters intercultural awareness and international mindedness.
3D & Sculpture is an introductory course. The course is designed to broaden the student’s concept of sculpture.
This course is intended for native Bulgarians who wish to develop speaking, writing and analytic skills in their mother tongue, and to expand their knowledge of Bulgarian culture – in particular history, folklore and national character.
In this elective we’ll explore EV3 programming, Lego building techniques, Engineering Lab activities (gearing, sliding, free-falling, climbing) and explore the missions from past annual FLL challenges.
Students will explore dance improvisation, contemporary techniques, hip-hop techniques, and acrobatics.
In design and technology you will use both practical and technological skills in conjunction with creative thinking to design and make products that serve a purpose or solve a problem using the design cycle
If you enjoy learning about how science helps solve mysteries, this is the elective for you.
This trimester long elective will give you a chance to explore a variety of global issues and to debate others, based on your own opinions and views.
Students will be introduced to everything from advertising and animation to photography and art.
During this trimester length course students will learn and apply environmental sustainable practices such as composting, sustainable food production, recycling, and conserving natural resources. Our base will be the AAS outdoor school gardens (T1, T3), as well as our indoor based Self-Reliance unit (T2). We will also collaborate with and visit local farms and gardens. We will explore
Math Circles are places where students and teachers get to engage with mathematically deep thinking presented in unique ways that encourage hands-on discovery.
This class will provide a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental techniques and note literacy in order to be able to play keyboard and mallet percussion. Ukulele, guitar and bass are included in this class as well.
If you can talk then you can sing. This class will teach you how to discover your singing voice and what is the difference between speaking and singing.
This elective will include sports like spikeball, street racket, kick ball, table tennis, softball and baseball 5.
Students will have the opportunity to begin, or continue building performance technique on string instruments such as violin, viola, violoncello and double bass.
By working for the whole year in Theatre, there is time to develop your physical skills and explore different aspects and styles of performance, working in a large ensemble as well as developing scenes in small groups and pairs.
Students in the MS Theatre Technology elective will receive an introduction to sound, lighting, audio visual equipment and design for the stage.
This course takes students from an individual able to push the record button, to someone who can work with a team, think artistically, leverage editing software, tell a story and produce a final product that is enjoyable to watch.
During this year-long elective, Grades 7 & 8 will delve deeper into drawing, painting, sculpting and designing.
This group will accommodate students interested in learning to play woodwind and brass instruments such as but not limited to flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon, french horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium.
The language of instruction at AAS is English. The change in language of instruction may be a challenge for students who are not proficient in that language and some of these students might need language support.
In our K-12 language arts program, we seek to nurture the love of language arts and focus on the process of effective communication through reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Through problem solving, reasoning, logic, and communication in a variety of situations, students come to appreciate the wider application and use of mathematics, both as a discipline in its own right and as a means of interpreting and understanding the world.
Music education is an agent for the recognition, preservation, refinement and transmission of cultural heritage. Through the study of music, students gain the knowledge, values and creative expression of different cultures.
Physical and Health Education provides the opportunity to develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes needed to maintain and enhance personal health and physical development.
Each year students study three main units exploring large questions and seeking answers through experimentation and design.
Our social studies program is designed to help students understand and make sense of their place in the world.
Through the study of Theatre, students will develop a greater understanding of their world and its rich cultural history. Students’ individual talents are developed as they create, refine, perform and reflect using the language of artistic expression.
Through a strong Visual Arts program students have opportunities to become more aware of their environment and their relationship to it; to gain knowledge of techniques and skills; to enjoy and appreciate their own art and that of others; and to make interactive studies of some aspects of art history.
Students are provided a foundation to use their language learning immediately, in day-to-day situations and later for continued study and use.
High School Curriculum
Physical and Health Education provides the opportunity to develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes needed to maintain and enhance personal health and physical development.
HS World Languages include Bugarian, French, Spanish, and German Ab Initio.
Students are provided a foundation to use their language learning immediately, in day-to-day situations and later for continued study and use.
Students will generate new work through free-writing, completing an independent writing project each trimester, and working with various forms, including poetry and the personal essay.
In this class you will get hands-on experience in the different fields of science which are used to collect and process criminology evidence.
This elective may include topics such as power, sovereignty and international relations; human rights and development; peace and conflict and how current issues and crises affect global politics.
Math Circles are places where students and teachers get to engage with mathematically deep content presented in unique ways that promote hands-on discovery.
This one-year-long elective is available to students in grades 9 and 10 who would like to improve their writing skills.
The yearbook course develops many skills and interests including copywriting, photography, graphic design, and publishing.
This course is intended for native Bulgarians who wish to gain support and develop speaking, writing and analytic skills in their mother tongue, and to expand the knowledge about the Bulgarian culture – in particular history, folklore and national character.
Concert Choir provides opportunities for students to develop their musical potential, self-confidence, and aesthetic understanding through ensemble singing in a healthy and supportive social network.
Each semester students learn basic movement skills in three of the following dance styles: Hip-Hop / K-Pop + Jazz, Contemporary Dance, Musical theatre, and World Dance Cultures.
Students will learn and use creativity, the design cycle, materials, and manufacturing techniques in the Design and Technology Center.
Emphasis is placed on self-directed projects using the design cycle to create projects based on problem solving and design opportunities.
Students will develop keyboard, mallet percussion, guitar and bass skills.
String Orchestra is a course designed for students who already have experience in playing a string instrument such as violin, viola, violonchelo, double bass and harp.
The course focuses on the practical exploration of performance texts and understanding their social, cultural and historical context.
In this elective, students will explore stage lighting, audio production, set design, projections, theatre safety and other backstage related practices in the classroom, Rila Theatre and Rila Black Box.
The underlying goal of Art Expression is to further develop students’ technical and imaginative skills both for their own enrichment and in preparation for those who will pursue IB Visual Arts, beginning in grade 11.
The underlying goal of the course is to develop students’ basic technical capabilities for their own enrichment and in preparation for those who will pursue IB Visual Arts beginning in grade 11.
This course is designed for students who enjoy drawing and painting and would like to explore these techniques in the digital workspace.
Wind Ensemble allows students to develop their ensemble skills, performance technique, essential theory and composition, playing instruments like flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, french horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba and other members of the wind family.
The language of instruction at AAS is English. The change in language of instruction may be a challenge for students who are not proficient in that language and some of these students might need language support.
In our K-12 language arts program, we seek to nurture the love of language arts and focus on the process of effective communication through reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Through problem solving, reasoning, logic, and communication in a variety of situations, students come to appreciate the wider application and use of mathematics, both as a discipline in its own right and as a means of interpreting and understanding the world.
Grade 9-10 science is anchored in scientific inquiry and strong content. Grade 11-12 science courses offered are: Biology (SL, HL), Chemistry (SL, HL), Environmental Systems & Society, and Physics (SL, HL).
The K-10 Social Studies program at AAS is informed by the AERO Social Studies Curriculum Framework and the Common Core Standards. IB Individuals and Societies Courses offered are: Business Management (SL, HL), Environmental Systems & Societies, Geography (SL, HL), History (SL< HL), and Psychology.