CIS Voice | From kindergarten to primary school, we help children take this crucial step!

In every child’s learning journey, Grade 1 is considered a key transitional year. It marks the very first stage where children officially enter the world of academic learning as students.

Here, children are no longer just exploring the world through play. Instead, they begin to learn knowledge systematically, develop critical thinking skills, and gradually build confidence and intrinsic motivation.

So how does CIS help students smoothly transition from kindergarten to primary school? And how do we balance higher academic expectations with care for their emotional development and growth pace?

In this issue of 【CIS Voice】, we visited the Grade 1 classroom of homeroom teacher Jacqueline Abul to discover how CIS supports students in taking this important first step.

Grade 1 Homeroom Teacher

Jacqueline Abul

Educational Background:

Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education

Master Degree in Education, Moreland University, USA

Educational Experience:

20 years of teaching experience, with nearly half of her career immersed in the enriching environment of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP).

According to Jacqueline, the learning experience in Grade 1 becomes more structured and challenging, especially within CIS’s full English-immersion environment. Students are expected not only to adapt to English instructions and classroom expression but also to face greater academic challenges in subjects like reading and math.

"In Grade 1, students face new expectations — especially in reading and math. Lessons become more structured, and they’re expected to stay focused longer and follow more complex instructions."

At the same time, CIS places great emphasis on supporting students' social development and emotional wellbeing. In daily teaching, Jacqueline designs activities such as group work and interactive collaboration to help students build their sense of rules, communication skills, and team spirit.

"At CIS, we believe in academic excellence, but we also care deeply about emotional support. We create a warm, caring community where students feel safe to grow."

"Reading is at the heart of Grade 1 learning,"says Jacqueline. She believes that once students develop reading skills, they gain the foundation and motivation to learn across all subjects.

Based on the Alberta Curriculum, CIS provides a differentiated and progressive approach to language learning. 

One of the daily highlights is DEAR Time — Drop Everything and Read — where students immerse themselves in the joy of reading.

In class, reading instruction is divided into three groups. Students rotate among them, experiencing different reading activities and gradually developing their reading interests and abilities:

Interactive Read-Aloud: 

Sharing and reading favorite storybooks with the class, practicing reading aloud, listening, and discussion skills.

Guided Reading: 

Reading leveled books with teacher guidance to enhance text comprehension.

Raz Kids Digital Reading Platform: 

Using the online Raz Kids platform, students choose books based on their reading levels, practice listening, recording, and comprehension exercises, and grow at their own pace through personalized learning paths.

"This routine builds confidence and allows each child to grow at their own pace."

At CIS, assessment is never just about scores or exams. It’s a process of observation, understanding, and communication — a way for teachers to connect with students and families, and to support every child’s individual growth.

Jacqueline shared a story about one of her students:

There was a student who was initially hesitant to read aloud in class. To help him build confidence, Jacqueline encouraged him to choose books he liked during DEAR Time and record every book he finished in his personal "My Reading Log."

Later, Jacqueline shared this log with the student’s parents during a conference.

This approach to assessment not only helps teachers adjust teaching strategies in real-time but also allows parents to truly understand their child's progress — beyond just looking at test results.

At the end of the interview, Jacqueline concluded:

"Grade 1 is where confidence, curiosity, and lifelong learning begin. At CIS, we support every step of that journey — with care, and with purpose."

With a commitment to Academic Excellence & Caring Community, CIS creates an international learning environment that respects individual differences, encourages academic challenges, and supports emotional development.

From Grade 1, CIS provides children with an authentic, structured, and nurturing learning experience — helping them build a solid foundation and grow towards a broader world.

[ Want to Learn More? ]

If you would like to learn more about CIS’s elementary school curriculum or international pathway programs, we welcome you to contact us and book a campus tour or Open Day event.

The future of education starts with this one special year.