From preschool to elementary school, École Bilingue Chardin, while adhering to and surpassing the common core requirements, promotes the learning of geography, history, civics, and critical thinking through the use of reference texts, reflective workshops, and thematic walks within the exceptional setting offered by the City of Paris.

Geography/History

The notions of geography and time are addressed from the very first classes of our bilingual preschool, not only through the child's understanding of reference points (school, home, forest, town, yesterday, tomorrow) but also through the use of fun and enjoyable tools ("world map" puzzle).

Starting in the bilingual elementary school classes, a good knowledge of chronological and geographical reference points is complemented by a more concrete approach, which includes the study of daily life throughout the ages, and the reading of reference texts. École Bilingue Chardin encourages learning facts and ideas through "Living Books" (recommended by the educator Charlotte Mason as opposed to classic textbooks), which allows children to immerse themselves in an era, or engage in reflection (the Odyssey for example). Furthermore, each class creates a “Book of the Centuries”, in which each child can chronologically list the important people and historical facts that he or she will have encountered during readings or visits.

Outings and Field Trips

École Bilingue Chardin also benefits from the exceptionally rich setting offered by the city of Paris to complement readings with thematic walks planned around historical periods (Museum of Natural History, Museum of Evolution, the Latin Quarter, Ile de la Cité, etc.), or "treasure hunts” in small groups supervised by a teacher involving the use of maps and situating oneself better within the urban environment.

Philosophy

École Bilingue Chardin Preschool and Elementary School encourages reflection and dialogue in a respectful setting from preschool onwards. “Philosophy" workshops will therefore be conducted by the teachers in short series based on simple subjects (What is growing up? What is a friend?), allowing everyone to express themselves and attempt to clarify their ideas. These workshops allow the youngest children to ask questions and share in a relaxed manner, and the older children to develop their ability to summarize as well as their critical thinking skills during their shared reflections.