Primary Years Update (1/2019-2020)

PYP Update

Pictured from left to right: PaoPao, Cheeno, Nia, Niji, Mya

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eing part of Student Council as a leader is a very important responsibility. PYP Student Council had their leadership election on Thursday, September 12th. Ten incredible nominees from grades 4 and 5 gave their compelling speeches about why they would be the best candidate for the position of president, vice president, media officer, secretary, or treasurer.

After the speeches, grades 1-3 voted on paper ballots, This year, Student Council is looking forward to but in an effort to reduce paper, we added an exciting brainstorming exciting ways to take action for our electronic way of voting this year for grades 4-5. school, community, and world. Student led committees will meet weekly with representatives from each All of our candidates were risk-takers and excellent grade level’s homeroom classes to decide on various communicators. The votes were tallied up and the projects, events, and activities that will promote results were extremely close. We are proud to empathy, sustainability, collaboration, and compassion. announce the following students as the leadership team for the 2019-2020 academic school year: Look for the PYP Student Council around school as President- G5 PaoPao our young leaders strive to take positive action and Vice President- G4 Nia become the change makers of our world!

Media Officer- G5 Niji Secretary- G5 Mya - PYP STUCO Advisors Treasurer- G5 Cheeno

Pictured from left to right: Ms. Emilia (Grade 4), Ms. Diana (Grade 2), Ms. Raiwin (K3), Ms. Josie (Grade 1), Ms. Lindsay (Grade 5), Ms. Ariella (Grade 3)

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he PYP ELS department wanted to take this opportunity to explain a little about our role here at Concordian International School. This department provides support from K3 to grade 5. We help facilitate the language development of English across the curriculum.

Each English language support teacher works closely with the homeroom grade level teachers. This allows for joint lesson planning to occur, which then aids us in creating lessons that focus on learning opportunities and support for all students. We are here to help every student achieve their goals.

Please feel free to reach out to us at anytime, The PYP ELS Team

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As educators we assist students in the comprehension of the concepts being taught in the English classroom, as well as assist students in expressing their understanding of the concepts being taught.

The support we provide can happen in many different ways. We may work one on one with a student, or with a small group of students. In addition, we may teach lessons together with the homeroom teachers.

Incorporating Digital Technology in Grade 3

PYP Update

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rade 3 has been enjoying learning how to integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into our English programme in class. Viewing and Presenting is an important part of 21st century literacy. Visual images persuade, entertain and inform the viewer. Check out our interpretation of this…

We have created a Green Screen area in class, students can use this to create real life backgrounds for Inquiry topics. Also to connect to their reading and writing through scenes for Reader’s Theater and special events here at Concordian.

us an audio recording box, this allows students to record their explanations with minimal sound disturbance from our classroom environment.

At Concordian every student has their own Google Drive. Grade 3 students have been learning how to utilize Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets as a way to visually show their learning and to publish their writing and ideas. Students are able to ‘share’ their work with the teacher through their Gmail account. This enables the teacher to give live feedback through the editing tools. The teacher can type feedback/feedforward which appears to the side of their work.

Students then read the ideas and choose to accept or reject.

We are constantly discovering new ways for Seesaw to support our conceptual understanding in Math. Students complete challenges using multiple digital tools including audio. - Ms. Angela G3 Teacher Miss Lindsay designed and gifted to

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PY Counseling

Counseling Corner

Dear Parents,

You are always welcome to meet and discuss your child(ren). Please contact Welcome back to school!

Ms. Luck at luck@concordian.ac.th (Office is next to PYP ICT room, phone he PYP Counseling Department is number 02-7069000 Ext. 143). delighted to implement guidance lessons or life skills lessons, the Please welcome the newest Health and Wellbeing program, and counseling department member, Value lessons to all students from Ms. Sze Wan, who works with pre-K to Grade 5. During the Early Years, students from Pre-K to K1. Ms. Lilly or students learn how to play in a fair way Ms. Diff works with students from K2 with their peers (as part of the Social to K3, Ms. Luck works with students Intelligence program), emotional from Grade 1 and Grade 2, and Ms. awareness and control (as part of Joy works with students from Grade 3 Emotional Intelligence program), and to Grade 5 body safety lessons (as part of the Health and Wellbeing program).

We look forward to working with you to make 2019/2020 a great year for our D u r i n g t h e P r i m a r y Ye a r s , students! students continue to learn important life skills and social skills: building Sincerely, positive characters with core values, b o d y s a f e t y l e s s o n s a n d b o d y PYP Counseling Department image/ self worth, families, emotional intelligence (resilience and growth mindset), friendship skills, problem solving and conflict resolution skills, and coping strategies.

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As school Counselors, we are committed to guide the students in areas of academic achievement, personal, emotional and social development and career choices. In Ms. Sze Wan doing so, we collaborate closely with parents, teachers, and administrators to ensure that students learn and develop with best potential. We also provide individual and/or small group counseling sessions to the students to empower all important skills.

Ms. Luck

Ms. Diff

Ms. Joy

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Girls Basketball Grade 5U

Athletics News

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ur season is in full swing and the girls are pushing forward. The team is comprised of motivated young athletes with the drive to learn the game and build their skills.

We started the season with try-outs in the first week of school and were fortunate to gain a strong team of 13 players. We have many ambitious, risktakers that are learning to play basketball for the first time. On the other hand, we have some seasoned players that are spreading their knowledge of the game to inspire their teammates to grow.

The first games have been held at our home court here in the Concordian PYP Gym where the Dragon Spirit has come to life with so many cheering and encouraging peers watching as these young lady Dragons build their confidence on the court. Still to come this season we are preparing for a few more games as well as the much anticipated tournament at KIS. - Coach Dom and Coach Ashley

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Showcase

How did you feel when you went there?

“Well, I felt proud of myself that I got to make new friends from other countries, and more than that, I got to build a reputation at the world stage with the Ranad to show the Americans how important the Ranad is in Thai culture.”

“I feel proud that I built a reputation for my country, my school, my mentor, Kru A, and most importantly, my parents.”

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ongratulations to Tiger (G4) who earned one Gold, one Silver, and four Bronzes in the competition of World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA), performing Ranad-Ek instrument solo (Thai xylophone) and modeling, both at the Junior level (5-15 years old) at Long Beach Performing Arts Center, California, USA.

How does the competition work ?

“I have 6 events of the competition. The first 4 were instrument (Ranad), and the other 2 were modeling. There are 3 rounds of the competition: preliminary, semi-final and the grand finals. In the preliminary round, I got four medals: three of bronze and one is silver. And the modeling I got one bronze medal. In the semi final I got two mini In addition, he earned first place for the National medals which you can hang on your shirt. And the Costume parade with Thailand team as well. last medal that I got was the gold finalist medal (which everyone gets it if they are in the grand These are some experience that Tiger would like to final round.)” share with us: How did it start?

“One night, when my mom was looking through facebook, the WCOPA thing just suddenly popped up on her screen, then it said that you can send a video and the WCOPA Thailand team judges to see if it qualified. The good news is, the judges liked it.

So I went to the audition, and you know what? They let me represent Thailand in America!

What is WCOPA?

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“The World Championships of Performing Arts, or (WCOPA) is where performers and entertainers over 60 countries, similar to the Olympics, represent their country and complete each year in a fierce competition for the gold!”

Are there anything that you would like to share with your friends?

“The last thing that I will say to everyone is, Ranad is my passion. You gotta believe in yourself, and keep doing what you focus on. One day you guys will all succeed.”

Thank you Tiger for sharing us his rewarding experience. Concordians are proud of you. Go Dragons!

Activities and Events

“Respect for Teachers Day”

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he Wai Kru Ceremony is a traditional Thai tradition for students to show their respect and thank teachers at the beginning of the academic year.

The Concordian Wai Kru ceremony starts with our student representatives speaking about the meaning of Wai Kru, Wai Kru flower’s and leading us in the Pa Je Ra poem (Thai poem about the importance of teachers). Next, MC’s invite administrators and the teachers to the stage.

The Students have an opportunity to show respect and thank the teachers by giving Wai and flowers to the teacheron stage. Teachers have an opportunity to welcome their students and wish them a successful academic year.

The Wai Kru’s flowers given to the teachers on Wai Kru ceremony have meaning and symbolize in them the students promise to the teacher to be good, keep their mind sharp, and try their best in school.

By Kru Dear, Thai Teacher

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Activities and Events

Wai Kru: Student respactive

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t is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge. Today we honor these individuals through a ceremony known as ‘Teacher’s Day’ (Wai Kru).

The Wai Kru ceremony is held during the beginning of the academic year. ‘Wai’ means ‘to show respect’ and ‘Kru’ means ‘teachers’. ‘Wai Kru’ can thus be defined as ‘to show respect to teachers’.

The secondary school ceremony took place on the 22nd of August in the Grand Theatre. On this day, students make tributes to their teachers, thanking them for their teachings and guidance.

Common flowers that are given to teachers on this day includes ixora symbolizing wit, eggplant flowers symbolizing respect and wiregrass symbolizing perseverance. In addition, students also made creative flower trays as to demonstrate respect to their teachers. Although this celebration only occurs once a year, it brings me overwhelming joy to see teachers appreciated for what they have done to the school. I believe that such a celebration is a great start to an academic year as it represents a warm welcome back to school, marking the beginning of a powerful bond between teachers and students.

I came away from this ceremony, realizing yet again, that the collective and individual leadership of teachers is vital to the success of education systems and of students’ life.

By Ken (G12)

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Activities and Events

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n Wednesday, June 5th, 2019, 63 courageous, caring, hardworking, lively, and knowledgeable fifth-grade students walked proudly across the Grand Theater stage and successfully graduated from the PYP. It was a day charged with smiles, laughter, and deep reflection as the students showcased their individual journey of the PYP through video reflections. It was astounding to see all of the memories they had collected in the PYP. It was also evident that the students see Concordian as a family as they paid tribute to the teachers and students that have impacted their lives.

We were so happy to share the excitement of the day with you and are tremendously proud of the leaders you have become! Remember we are always here for you! We wish you all the happiness and success in your next chapter of the MYP. Sincerely, Your Fifth Grade Homeroom Teachers

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Activities and Events

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