Mission Statement

At Nishinomiya International School, we strive to provide a safe and secure learning environment that is supportive of all cultures, where children can acquire the necessary skills and confidence to succeed in lifelong learning.

 

Philosophy

Our program is based on the educational theory of multiple intelligences put forth by Dr. Howard Gardener, Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Howard Gardner first identified and introduced seven different kinds of intelligence in his book, Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences.

• Linguistic intelligence: A sensitivity to the meaning and order of words.

• Logical-mathematical intelligence: The ability to understand and use numbers effectively and to reason well.

• Musical intelligence: The ability to understand and create music.

• Spatial intelligence: The ability to "think in pictures," to perceive the visual world accurately, and recreate (or alter) it in the mind or on paper.

• Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence: The ability to use one's body in a skilled way, for self-expression or toward a goal.

• Interpersonal intelligence: The ability to perceive and make distinctions in the moods, intentions, motivations, and feelings of other people.

• Intrapersonal intelligence: Self-knowledge and the ability to act adaptively on the basis of that knowledge.

Rather than approaching education from a singular position aimed at all children, we have devised a varied and engaging program that takes into consideration the individuality of children and the different intelligences used in learning. 

 

Overview

Our program provides a rich classroom environment designed to encourage children to explore and to challenge them to learn. We use an "integrated curriculum" approach to teaching. Our teachers don't separate areas of learning by subject. Instead, for example, of isolating math, language, or social studies, we develop themes and special projects in content areas like "Inventors and Inventions" and "Balls and Bubbles." With this approach, children expand their knowledge and skills in many areas related to the topic. At the same time, each teacher uses his or her own creativity to develop hands-on lessons and activities that are particularly exciting and suited to the children in that class.

 

Life and Social Skills

The following is a list of what we at school are guiding and coaching the children to do everyday. In learning to do these things, children can develop responsibility, citizenship, and positive character traits.

1.Greetings

• Respond to Others Greetings
• Volunteer to Greet Others Without Prompting

Greetings are an important part of socialization and show courtesy and respect for others.

2. Respect for Others and Properties

• Listen Attentively to Teachers and Friends
• Use a Pleasant and Controlled Voice When Speaking
• Ask Before Touching a Friend’s Toys or Things
• Use Classroom Tools and Toys Properly
• Share and Take Turns
• Say “Please”, “Thank You”, and “You’re Welcome”
• Clean Up Properly
• Sit Nicely and Try Not to Disturb Your Neighbor
• Apologize If You Hurt Someone or Disrupt the Class
• Try to Understand Your Friend’s Feelings and How Your Actions Can Affect Them

Treating people and things with respect makes the world a nicer place to live in whether it's at home, at school, or out in the community. Giving reasons (for example: “Put your toys away so they won’t get lost or broken” or “Your friend is sad because you took her toy. Can you say you are sorry?”) helps children understand why this behavior is important.

3. Taking Care of Yourself Independently

• Put Your Things Away in Their Proper Place After Arriving at School
• Clean Up After Yourself Without Help
• Fold Clothes and Paint Shirts Without Help
• Undress and Dress Without Help
• Use the Toilet Properly
• Brush Your Teeth and Gargle After Eating
• Put Your Things In Your Bag Nicely When Preparing to Go Home
• Tell an Adult When You need Help

Learning independence is an important part of growing up. With independence comes confidence and the motivation to try new things.

4. Meal Time Manners

• Sit Until You Finish Your Meal
• Eat Using Utensils Properly
• Eat With Elbows off the Table
• Chew Food Properly With Mouth Closed
• Do Not Speak With Mouth Full
• Keep Track of Time—Eating Neither Too Slowly or Too Quickly

Table manners are more than about proper eating, they are about being kind and considerate of others. They also underscore the fact that meals are a special time for people to come together and enjoy food and company.

This is by no means an exhaustive or definitive list of the life and social skills that we teach at Nishinomiya International School. What one class is emphasizing might be different from another class because of the specific needs and developmental stages of each child. We encourage parents to discuss with their child’s teacher any questions or thoughts that they have about their child’s education.