For Sphere, learning and development is the result of a collective construction that begins with a contextualized, connected, inquiry-based and personalized approach. Throughout their educational journeys, our learners are supported, encouraged and challenged to become empathetic individuals, who are prepared to deal with new and unpredictable problems, in local and global contexts.
In addition to concepts, knowledge and content, Sphere learners develop skills and attitudes that prepare them for a globalized future. The pedagogical project is aligned with the Brazilian National (BNCC), the international curriculum and the UNESCO goals, bringing together the best in international education.
In a world where information is easily accessible and personalized solutions are readily available, schools are no exception. Teaching and learning at Sphere balances opportunities for learners to engage with the exploration of big ideas in real-life contexts, using different multimodal resources. Learners are encouraged to express their personal interests and talents and educators intentionally plan for agile teaching and differentiation. Curiosity is essential to life-long learning, which is why our responsibility is to empower all learners to express their identities, making room for voice, choice and ownership.
Young people in the 21st century must be prepared to anticipate changes and create new solutions. Technology, combined with a humanized education, opens up new possibilities for our schools and students, but how can we organize pedagogical practices in the midst of so much diversity? An inquiry-based approach allows learners to delve into personal areas of interest, as well as develop the ability to ask relevant questions, collect and organize data, analyze and synthesize findings. Whether in disciplinary, interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary projects, our educators promote spaces that encourage contextualized, critical, creative, personalized and collaborative learning. For this, the inquiry cycle is a valuable resource, which brings intentionality to the stages of learning, action and reflection.
SPHERE PLUS is a set of practices and projects developed by Sphere, which are connected to the curriculum in all learning cycles: Early Childhood Education, Elementary, Middle and High School. The SPHERE PLUS practices and projects are carried out in different strands: academic, socioemotional, global citizenship, events with the community, extracurricular, among others.
Academic projects and practices encourage the ability to explore, question and create new understanding in different areas, while also developing attitudes and skills that are essential for a global world. Critical thinking, reflection and academic integrity are at the heart of these projects. Some examples are: Year 5 Exhibition, Year 9 Research Project, Year 12 Extended Essay, Tech Day, STEAM Festival, among others.
The learners’ socioemotional development goes hand in hand with academic development. The projects offered in this strand support the perception and construction of personal strategies aimed at balance, empathy, curiosity, persistence and flexibility, contributing to a positive perception of oneself, problem solving and a collaborative relationship with the other. Some examples are: Class Assembly, Tutoring, Storytelling, Student-led Conferences, Mindfulness, Reading Buddies, among others.
Making choices based on ethical principles, respect for others, the environment and in line with humanization values make Sphere students increasingly reflective, open-minded, and aware of how their actions can impact and transform the world. Some examples of projects in this strand are: Clean up, International Lunch, Young Talent; Volunteer Speaker, Sphere Cares, Sphere UN, International Trips, among others.
A school community that recognizes, values, and supports the diversity of its members is committed to the different talents and interests of each learner. Therefore, the extracurricular program enhances skills and develops new knowledge. Different options allow you to customize the program according to the context of the school and its community. The extracurricular program offers choices in the areas of: Sports, Arts and Music, Technology and Robotics, among others.
Global Citizenship
Guided by a multicultural and multilingual perspective, Sphere has organized the best practices in international education to build a unique pedagogical model that prepares students to be active members of a global community.
Innovation
Sphere was a pioneer in the construction and implementation of a bilingual international curriculum in Brazil. In an increasingly multicultural and multilingual world, the Sphere curriculum goes beyond instruction in two languages, by making room for learners to use their diverse lingusitic resources to explore different perspectives.
Learning and Professional Development
Our learning community involves students, parents, teachers, and all staff members. In order to reach our mission, the school community is invited to participate in workshops, meetings and talks. Teachers engage in diverse opportunities of professional development, advancing in their journeys, while also collaborating with their peers.
A Unique Model
Teaching and learning at Sphere is centered on the needs of each learner and happens through an inquiry-based approach. A project-based curriculum enhances the opportunities for connection to local and global contexts. The national curriculum is integrated with an international framework and educational philosophy, and is supported by an exclusive combination of Sphere Plus practices that make us unique.
Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance is an important process to ensure that Sphere's philosophical, educational and operational guidelines are maintained, identifying consolidated practices and opportunities for constant improvement and development.
Technology
Through technology, processes become more agile and personalized. We use integrated solutions that optimize the experience of families and learners in their school journeys.
School-Family Partnership
How all members of the community engage with the school is what allows us to fully carry out our mission and support all learners. Families are invited to experience the educational journeys of their children though meetings, events, projects, committees and further opportunities that enhance collaboration and a sense of belonging.
The Sphere learner profile aligns with the IB learner profile (www.ibo.org) a set of ten attributes that characterize the internationally minded individual.
that they act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of equity and justice, with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere.
that they show empathy, compassion and respect. Individuals who have a commitment to collectivity and act to make a difference in the lives of others and in the world.
that have the ability to use critical thinking and creativity to formulate solutions to complex problems and to make informed and ethical decisions.
that develop and explore their creativity, therefore developing the cognitive skills necessary for inquiry and research. They learn both independently and from others, with enthusiasm and a love for lifelong learning.
that recognize and are aware of their culture, personal history and identity, and are open to various points of view and are willing to grow with new experiences.
that they develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge in a variety of disciplines. They engage with issues and ideas that have local and global relevance.
that address uncertainty with intentionality and determination; they work both independently and cooperatively to explore new innovative ideas and strategies. They are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and changes.
that carefully consider the world and their own ideas and experiences. They work to understand their strengths and weaknesses in order to support their learning and personal development.
that express themselves with confidence and creativity in more than one language and in many ways. They collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.
who understand the importance of balancing the different aspects of their intellectual, physical and emotional life to achieve overall well-being. They recognize interdependence with other people and with the world in which they live.
The Sphere curriculum aims at contributing to the development of individuals who are able to:
1.Take responsibility for their own learning process and who are able to make choices, act and reflect on own actions.
2. Establish relationships with others and own surroundings in a respectful and cooperative way.
3. Develop logical thinking skills and solve mathematical problems using own and conventional strategies.
4. Critically read and interpret different text genres. Produce clear and coherent texts that are appropriate to different contexts.
5. Understand, use and create digital information and communication technologies in a meaningful,
ethical, critical and reflective way.
6. Orally express themselves clearly and confidently, making use of multiple languages.
7. Develop attitudes and strategies for scientific inquiry into the different areas of knowledge.
