Making the PYP Happen Workshop

I also took part in a 2nd 'Making the PYP happen' workshop in October 2015.  This one was run by Yoon-Ah Lee and Jay Brownrigg. I don't know where I have put the certificate though.

Learning about Materials and Their Properties in the Makerspace

This year the Grade 1 team has the luxury of an empty room in their corridor. We created a "Makerspace" in this room!

During the G1 unit How the word works:

Central Idea: Materials are chosen for different purposes based on their properties and people’s needs

Students worked in the makerspace to create their own informational text at the end of the unit. They chose and attached different materials to their book and wrote all they could about the properties of that material.  The students were really engaged and their learning was very evident. If I were to do this activity again, I would create book pages that had a line for the title at the top of the page (where they would write the material) then an empty box for them to attach the material. Underneath I would have distinct 2 sections. 1 that said 'properties' and one that said 'uses.'

How we Express Ourselves

Admittedly I have not been good about keeping up to date with my blog/portfolio. It has been tough with poor internet connections and lots of internet censorship.  The goal is to stay on top of this blog!

Unit of Inquiry: Cultures Express Themselves in Different Ways

Korean Moms came to school to share their culture with our class. Amazing effort on their part, putting all this wonderful learning together. We learned about dress, songs, games, and even some history!

We read so many great books that explored culture:

We went on a field trip to explore Chinese culture by touring 2 famous gardens in Suzhou.

At the end of the unit, students took action by displaying their favourite work  and sharing their learning with parents and teachers in a 'culture expo.'

Who We Are

August 2014,

Our first PYP Unit of the year was Who We Are.

Our Lines of Inquiry:
-Roles and responsibilities that people have in a group
-Ways to provide and receive feedback
-Characteristics that make groups effective
-Skills individuals bring to a group

In this unit we did a lot of group work activities that helped us to uncover ways that people can effectively work together. Students learned through action and reflection what characteristics make groups work effectively and learned about their own skills that help a group to be successful. They were able to use this learning as they moved forward throughout the year, working in groups.

We are learned what effective communication is and why we need to use it. The goal was to communicate in order to pass the ball all the way back using only our feet and words.

We are learning what different kinds of roles people take on in groups such as a leader, organizer, etc. Our challenge was to build a robot out of these materials.

Moving to Suzhou China

July, 2014

This year I have moved to Suzhou Singapore International School, in Suzhou, China.

Suzhou is about 30 minutes by high speed train to Shanghai. My new role will be an ESL/EAL support teacher in Grade 2. This school is a PYP/MYP/IB World School. I am looking forward to the opportunity to teach and learn in a PYP school and teaching EAL!

But first I have to fix up my classroom! YIKES, it was an old storage room for unwanted old furniture and books. Here are the before and after shots. Now I am ready to welcome the students! :)

 

Here are a few shots of some pretty places near my new home...

It will be a new and exciting adventure getting to know China over the next few years!

A Great Thank You Video!

SSIS Dance Team

My dance team performing at a Dance Showcase at BIS.