Elementary School Program 

Our authentic approach to character development combines the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme's (PYP) framework, IB Learner Profile Attributes, and Chinese Virtues. This is coupled with a rigorous standards-driven academic program grounded in the Chinese National Curriculum Standards (Chinese language arts and math) and U.S. Common Core (English language arts). Daystar Academy students ask questions, take action, and reflect on their learning and its relationship to the world in which they live. Our students actively engage in structured, in-depth inquiry into the PYP's six transdisciplinary themes within Daystar Academy's program of inquiry. Units of Inquiry (UOI) address distinct central ideas, which are globally significant, academically rigorous, and standards-aligned. Students acquire standards-based and developmentally- appropriate skills, content knowledge, and conceptual understanding within and across disciplines. 

With this approach, we are not only stimulating the students' hearts and minds, but also honing their language and social skills to thrive in this global world. 

Developing foundational literacy skills in both Chinese and English provides Daystar students with the tools needed to access information, ask questions, and demonstrate understanding in multiple cultures. Through interdisciplinary language arts inquiry, students develop academic proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This enriches the connections students make across disciplines, deepening their understanding of course content and broadening interpersonal connections.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (ELA)

Reading

Daystar's ELA reading program is aligned with the U.S. Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and uses an inquiry-based approach to instruction in both stand-alone disciplinary and interdisciplinary Unit-of-Inquiry language lessons. Students develop skills and strategies to strengthen accuracy and fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary.

Writing

Daystar's ELA writing program is also aligned with the CCSS and takes a constructivist approach to instruction in which students analyze and create writing pieces from different genres–narrative, informative, opinion–and then develop their abilities to write for different purposes and audiences.
Every piece begins with an analysis of mentor texts to identify genre characteristics,  then a thorough brainstorming session to uncover fresh ideas.  Students then use graphic scaffolds to build an outline with genre-appropriate details. They are encouraged to draft without judgement, then use critical thinking to guide ongoing revisions.

CHINESE LANGUAGE ARTS (CLA)

Chinese Language Arts balances whole-group instruction and small-group learning to develop Chinese literacy skills based on Chinese National Curriculum standards (CNC). Using many of the same methods for English reading and writing instruction, students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for Chinese culture and expression.  They practice character recognition, traditional Chinese calligraphy, oral fluency, and self-expression through prose and memorable rhymes.