Brainworks International School

Welcome, Parents

Partner with us in your child's learning journey. Here's everything you need to know about our curriculum, approach, and how to support learning at home.

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Curriculum

What Your Child is Learning

📘

McGraw-Hill Wonders

Our core English Language Arts program for Grades 1–5. Wonders is a research-based, internationally-recognized curriculum that builds strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills through engaging texts and structured instruction.

Student-Centered

Your child's interests and questions drive their learning through inquiry-based projects.

Project-Based

Students create authentic projects — videos, posters, presentations — to demonstrate understanding.

Differentiated

Instruction is tailored to every student's level — Approaching, On Level, Beyond, and ELL support.

Research-Based

Built on decades of reading research with proven strategies for literacy development.

📅 Weekly Learning Routine

Each week follows the structured Wonders 5-day routine. Here's what your child is doing:

Monday

Introduce the Concept

Build background knowledge, introduce vocabulary, listen to a read-aloud

Tuesday

Close Reading

Read from the Literature Anthology, answer text-dependent questions

Wednesday

Reread & Respond

Deeper analysis, grammar mini-lesson, vocabulary practice

Thursday

Extend & Integrate

Paired text selection, writing workshop, research and project work

Friday

Review & Assess

Weekly assessment (Fresh Read), spelling test, fluency check

At Home

How to Support Your Child

💬

Ask About Their Learning

Instead of "What did you learn?", try:

  • "What story are you reading this week?"
  • "What project did you choose? Why?"
  • "What new words did you learn?"
📖

Read Together

Reading in any language supports English development. Aim for 15–20 minutes of reading together daily. Ask questions about the story to build comprehension.

🎨

Encourage Projects

Provide materials, space, and time for your child to work on their projects. Show genuine interest in what they're creating and discovering.

💪

Celebrate Effort

Praise persistence and trying new strategies, not just correct answers. This builds a growth mindset and encourages risk-taking in learning.

📋 Understanding Assessments

Your child is assessed regularly using the Wonders assessment system. Here's what each assessment measures:

Weekly Assessment (Fridays)

A short "Fresh Read" passage with comprehension and vocabulary questions. Helps track weekly progress.

Unit Assessment (Every 6 Weeks)

A summative assessment covering all skills from the unit — reading, vocabulary, grammar, and writing.

Benchmark Assessment (2–3x/Year)

A comprehensive check-in to measure overall growth and identify areas that need extra support.

Performance Levels

Approaching (0–59%), On Level (60–79%), Beyond (80–100%). All levels receive targeted instruction.

FAQ

Common Questions

What is McGraw-Hill Wonders?

Wonders is a comprehensive ELA curriculum used in schools worldwide. It teaches reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, and phonics through engaging texts and structured weekly routines.

What if my child is struggling?

Wonders includes built-in differentiation. Students who need more support receive Approaching Level resources, scaffolded texts, and small-group instruction. Please reach out to your child's teacher if you have concerns.

How do I track my child's progress?

Weekly assessments provide regular feedback. Unit assessments give a comprehensive picture every 6 weeks. Parent-teacher conferences are held to discuss your child's growth and next steps.

What are inquiry-based projects?

Each unit culminates in a project where students choose how to demonstrate their learning — creating videos, designing posters, writing stories, or giving presentations. This develops critical thinking and communication skills.

Questions or Concerns?

We're here to help. Reach out to your child's teacher anytime.

Contact us through the school office or your teacher's email