Date: February 25, 2026
As we transition into this special time of year, our curriculum is shifting to honor the season. Throughout Ramadan, our performing arts focus will move toward Drama and Digital Platforms. Students will be swapping instruments for iPads as we master storytelling through iPhoto, iMovie, and Powtoons, allowing for a high-energy creative output that respects the reflective atmosphere of the month.
KG1 & KG2: The Face as a Canvas
Our youngest learners became masters of the “Language of the Body.” We put our voices away to investigate how much our faces can actually “talk” without making a sound.
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The Slow Statue: Students practiced incredible physical control, moving silently and freezing into statues of “Surprise” or “Focus” at the sight of a red card.
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Mirroring Emotions: Using emotion cards, we studied the tiny muscles in our faces. It turns out, you don’t need to say “I’m sleepy” if your eyelids and jaw do the talking for you!
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ATL Focus: Communication. We are learning to interpret non-verbal cues—a vital skill for empathy and social connection.
Grades 1 & 2: Dramatic Narratives
For Grades 1 and 2, the focus is on storytelling and role-playing. We took the “Silent Statue” concept a step further by weaving these frozen moments into short, silent skits. Students are discovering that drama isn’t just about the script; it’s about the physical presence and “character” you bring to the stage.
Grades 3 & 4: Animation & Sound Design
In the middle primary years, we are entering the world of Stop-motion Animation. This week, students began exploring the relationship between movement and sound. Before we record a single “thud” or “boing,” we are using digital tools to plan how a character’s physical reaction tells us what the sound should feel like.
Grade 5: The Voice of ABIS
The Grade 5s are stepping into the digital realm of Podcasting and Vlogs. This week, they analyzed how “Learner Profile” attributes can be communicated through tone of voice and visual presentation. They are learning that being an “Inquirer” or “Risk-taker” can be projected powerfully through digital media.
Grade 6: Visual Storytelling & The Silent Era
Our Grade 6 students took a trip back in time to investigate the masters of the silent film era, like Buster Keaton, to kick off their unit on Stop-motion and Sound Design.
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Inquiry: We analyzed how stories are told through exaggerated physical movement and “Visual Sounds.”
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Practical Exploration: If a character drops a glass, how does their body “show” the noise? Students are documenting “Sound Actions”—mapping out how a fast door slam or a heavy footstep is translated into movement.
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ATL Focus: Thinking. By analyzing issues and ideas visually, students are deconstructing media to understand its core components.
Reflection from the Studio: “Silence isn’t the absence of a story; it’s a different way of telling it.”