Curriculum, Elementary Program

THE ICT PROGRAM AND THE JOURNEY OF EQUIPPING DIGITAL CITIZENS WITH KNOWLEDGE AT ALASKA ACADEMY

The ICT program from McGraw Hill is developed to align with globally recognized computer science and digital technology standards, such as the ISTE Standards for students, the CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards, and the UK’s National Computing Curriculum Framework. Alaska Academy is officially introducing this program in the 2025-2026 academic year.


Many are likely familiar with McGraw Hill, as it is one of the world’s leading and most reputable publishers, playing a significant role in providing high-quality educational materials.

After 8 years of using the Wonders curriculum and subsequently the Inspire Science curriculum from McGraw Hill in our preschool and primary levels, Alaska Academy has received positive feedback from parents regarding the quality of the materials. Furthermore, four cohorts of students who have graduated from the primary level at Alaska Academy have proactively integrated and developed strongly in various educational environments.

This success serves as the foundation for Alaska Academy’s decision in the 2025-2026 academic year to replace its current computer science subject with the ICT (Information & Communications Technologies) Program provided by McGraw Hill.

WHY DID ALASKA ACADEMY CHOOSE THE ICT PROGRAM?

In today’s rapidly evolving world, information technology is playing an increasingly central role in all fields. Mastering computer science knowledge means that students will be more confident in using digital tools while developing critical skills such as programming, data analysis, and self-learning new technologies. This also serves as a foundation for broader career opportunities for them in the future.

Additionally, with the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), equipping every student with modern knowledge and tools that integrate AI will help them work more effectively and productively. At the same time, with age-appropriate AI knowledge integrated thoughtfully into the curriculum, students will be proactive in the face of AI’s increasing prevalence, learning to filter information and minimize the potential harm it may bring.

Recognizing the demands and trends of the modern era, and after being introduced to and seeing the superiority of the ICT – Level up through Digital Discoveries Program from McGraw Hill, the leadership of the Alaska Academy decided to become one of the first schools in the world to implement the program.

Accordingly, Alaska Academy will teach the ICT Program to students from Grade 2 to Grade 5 in two languages—English and Vietnamese—starting in August 2025.

The ICT Program covers 5 domains:

  1. Computing Fundamentals
  2. Productivity and Design (Word/Excel/Media)
  3. Data and Analysis
  4. Coding and Programming
  5. Communication and Collaboration

With the ICT Program developed based on prestigious international standards such as ISTE, CSTA K-12, and the UK’s National Computing Curriculum Framework, not only will classroom teachers be able to fully utilize the potential of technology to enhance the quality of education, but Alaskids will also have the opportunity to access lively online lessons (developed and evaluated by experts) on their online accounts.

Furthermore, with lessons organized in a spiral curriculum that gradually increases in depth and difficulty, the ICT Program will progressively make computer science a natural part of each student’s learning journey—from Grade 1 to Grade 12.

WHAT DO ALASKIDS LEARN WITH THE ICT PROGRAM?

The learning materials for the ICT Program from McGraw Hill include:

  1. An online account (to be used from the 2025-2026 academic year)
  2. The textbook Level up through Digital Discoveries

The knowledge taught to each grade level is built progressively and is regularly updated.

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GRADE 2

  • Computers/Operating Systems (Peripheral devices, system unit parts, desktop, workspace rules, ergonomics, troubleshooting)
  • Operating Systems (Windows, files, folders, file organization, start a program)
  • Word Processing II (Word, keyboard keys, simple text formatting, insert picture, save, print)
  • Internet (Edge, internet safety rules, viruses, websites, web pages, copy text/images, ethics, intro to AI)
  • Intro to Data (unplugged, information, data, data collection and presentation, patterns)
  • Coding I, II (ScratchJr I, II, problem-solving process, animation, flow control, loops, simple events, debugging)

GRADE 3

  • Devices (Storage devices, printers, input/output devices, new ways of interaction)
  • Word Processing III (Word, format, lists, spell check)
  • Introduction to Robotics (applications)
  • Internet (Edge, Google search engine, Wikipedia, netiquette, ethics, online safety, Snipping Tool, AI use)
  • Email (New Outlook, send, read, email safety)
  • Presentations (PowerPoint, slides, picture, presentation tips)
  • Coding III (Scratch I, algorithm, sprite, backdrops, display information, loops, sound effects, draw shapes)

GRADE 4

  • Operating Systems (Windows, file names, search, shortcuts, file compression, computer settings, antimalware, hardware vs. software, basic troubleshooting)
  • Word Processing IV (Word, alignment, borders, images, SmartArt, spell check, printing)
  • Email (New Outlook, open, reply, forward, search for images/videos, attachments, contacts, email etiquette)
  • Multimedia (Audacity, record-edit sound, Photos, edit photos, Clipchamp, create video clips, AI)
  • Presentations (PowerPoint: transitions, animations, sound, video)
  • Spreadsheets I (Excel, rows, columns, cells, simple calculations)
  • Coding IV (Scratch II, design a program, flowchart, sensing blocks, flow control, conditional operators, events, movemnet blocks, debugging)

GRADE 5

  • Word Processing V (Word, character spacing, search, tables, views)
  • Introduction to New Technology I – Infographics (Canva)
  • Ethics (AI ethics, deepfakes)
  • Web Design (Google Sites, web page, theme, photos, hyperlinks, page organization, preview, publish, share)
  • Networks and Internet (LAN vs. WAN, web browser settings, translate)
  • Communication – Collaboration Tools (sharing, OneDrive, Teams, online security Blogging (Blogger, social media, web safety rules, IP)
  • Spreadsheets II (Excel, formatting cells, functions, graphs, print)
  • Data Logging and Databases (Excel, data-information, data collection, ‘databases’, sort, filter, transfer, print)
  • Coding V (Scratch III, sensing blocks, loop-repeat until, comments, variables, calculations, complex decisions-if else)

In the 2022-2023 academic year, the Alaska Academy made a special effort in the LANGUAGE ARTS subject with the goal of helping students approach English naturally and effectively through subjects taught in English.

In the 2023-2024 academic year, SCIENCE became a subject that sparked intense curiosity when two modern LAB rooms officially came into operation with increasingly dynamic hands-on lessons.

In the 2024-2025 academic year, with the introduction of the WELLBEING (Health & Social-Emotional) subject across all grade levels, the journey of growing up for children at Alaska Academy became filled with more joy and confidence with an open heart.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, by introducing the ICT PROGRAM from McGraw Hill, the teachers at Alaska Academy hope that the knowledge and skills equipped will become a crucial foundation for Alaskids to become creative, responsible, and capable digital citizens.