Grade5newsletternovember

Grade 5 Newsletter November, 2013

PYP News!

UNIT 2 Where We Are in Place and Time Central Idea The contributions of significant people impacts on individuals and civilizations.

Lines of Inquiry An inquiry into: ­ the different contributions that significant people make ­ the impact that contributions have on individuals and civilizations ­ different viewpoints on how to be significant

Developing critical thinking skills Lifelong learning has long been a part of the IB PYP. As educators we encourage each of our students to develop critical thinking skills, and question what they want to learn, as opposed to what the teacher wants them to learn. Some children find thinking critically about their own learning a challenge, but if at home, and school, we follow some simple steps to help us assist with developing and refining these skills, students will be able to think critically about their own learning and as a result feel more successful in their own learning. ● Stop and ask yourself, what do I really think? ● Ask someone else for their idea and listen to it ● Understand what it is you need to do ● Think again of alternatives, think of positives, negatives, feelings and the bigger picture. ● Change your mind ● Finally, know yourself and be confident in what you believe If you would like some literature to support this, please do not hesitate to ask me.

Miss Lisa Hughes Grade 5 teacher and PYP Coordinator

Unit 2

Summative Task: To plan and present a ‘Living Museum’ on the 14th November which will show the contributions of a significant person, that is well­known or unknown.

Tool: Teacher rubric (please see the grade 5 website for the rubric)

LANGUAGES Students have been placed in ‘interest reading groups.’

Each student shared a subject of interest; some students chose musicians, some chose scientists, some chose writers, some chose leaders and some chose artists. In their reading groups, students will compare different articles and texts about a significant person, they will then synthesise this information into a piece of writing, which may help them to prepare for their living museum.

The students are following the writing process to write a biography of a significant person.

ELS: The EAL students are enthusiastically reading various sources to find information about the significant person of their choice. Some of this reading can be in their mother tongue. The process of synthesising this information, to write a biography and to prepare for their living museum is a new challenge to them.

Sue Fleming

MATHS Students have began to look at significant people in the world of maths.

Students have looked at Pascal and Fibonacci. We have used Pascal’s triangle to explore patterns and functions between numbers. Students will begin to analyse how patterns are represented and how this leads towards a better understanding of algebraic expressions.

We have continued to explore the order of operations and the significance of order. Students have worked in pairs to make a game to consolidate their understanding of the order of operations.

THE ARTS In this unit Grade 5 will inquire into different styles of music. The concepts and elements that the students will explore in this unit, are presented through a variety of music, each of its own style. The students will learn about Elvis and Beatles through pulsating rhythms of rock and rock’n’roll. They will experience the voice of Muddy Waters and the sounds of Benjamin Britten though the rhythm of jazz. They will explore some amazing rhythms through Balkan songs and dances.

VIETNAMESE Students learn about life and achievements of Vietnamese General Võ Nguyên Giáp, make posters and present their understanding of his importance in Vietnam.

PSPE Grade 5 are learning about invasion games this quarter. They have had their initial understanding assessed through simple games like “Capture the flag”. Students will learn to identify what’s required to be successful in invasion games. Organisation, planning, formations, a balance of attack and defence. The main invasion games to be covered are football, basketball and tag rugby. Students will link to their class unit on significant people by identifying one significant person from one invasion game and complete a short research task on him/her.

Unit 2

Key Dates November 15th (Friday): International Day November 18th (Monday): Early Finish, 11.40am, Three Way Conferences November 25th (Monday): Regular finish, Three Way Conferences Week starting December 9th: Book week Dec 12th (Thursday): Book week assembly, followed by Bookwork book sale December 13th (Friday): Last day of semester, school finishes at 11am.

Mr Warren’s comment: As you can see on the Key Dates above, we have Three Way Conferences coming up towards the end of November. This is an opportunity for you, your child and the teacher to meet together to discuss progress and for you to set goals for your child for this school year. It is also an opportunity for you to visit the classroom and see evidence of the learning that is taking place in classes.

I would like to congratulate Ms Carla Holmes who recently attended training to be a PYP Workshop Leader. This training took a whole week of intensive learning situations, and Carla has her first workshop coming up at the end of November.

I would like to remind parents that you are welcome to visit the school at any time. We have elementary assemblies most Friday mornings at 8am and all parents are welcome to these.

Student Reflections about unit 1 Students learnt about the Convention of the Rights of the Child and understood that with rights comes responsibilities.

Gina wrote, ‘I learned that they are 42 rights that a child needs and should have but sometimes they are not met. I also know that rights come with a responsibility for example: children have the right to a clean and safe environment and their responsibility is be aware of danger that's heading to them.’

Minh Tung said, ‘I know that the UN make the rights of the child and they make the Children’s Rights. The World’s Children’s Prize is also a good idea for me to know about children’s rights.

Now I know about children’s rights in USA. USA doesn’t follow the UN Convention Rights of the Child. There are 42 rights of a child made by UNICEF. The rights include: Children have the right to play and relax and children have the right to have protection from neglect.’

Hanoi International School enables all students to realise their full potential in a caring and positive learning environment. Through our broad and balanced international curriculum, we endeavour to develop responsible, globally conscious citizens. We strive to develop the whole child as a life­long learner with a strong sense of self worth.