Reception Newsletter November 2013
PYP News!
UNIT 2: Where We Are in Place & Time Central Idea: Homes reflect family life and culture Lines of inquiry: ● What constitutes a home ● How homes reflect family life ● How homes reflect culture
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
LANGUAGES: Reading: We will focus on answering who, what, when, where questions, the beginning, middle and end of stories, sequencing and unit specific vocabulary. Writing: Students will describe in pictures and words the homes we visit on field trips or their home. Oral Language: We will practice interviewing skills, forming questions and answers, listening and speaking. A student will act as the host/tour guide if we visit their home. Language Support: It is fun and rewarding to work with the Reception children three times a week and to watch their language communication skills develop. Sue Fleming
MATHS: Data Analysis: Students will use Venn diagrams to compare how the form and function of the rooms of their homes are alike and different by using photographs, drawings and captions. Survey: Students will create surveys based on field trips and classroom learning then represent and interpret the results in various forms of graphs. Number: We will continue to practice math facts to 10 and beyond with addition and subtraction games, conservation of number and one to one correspondence
THE ARTS In this unit Reception will inquire into sound. The students will explore different sources of sound and the materials that are used to create these sounds. The activities in this unit are designed to help the students understand opposites and contrast loud/soft, high/low and fast/slow. The students will use motion to show beat and rhythm as well as high and low pitches; use signals to identify sounds produced by metal instruments and dramatize their favorite line from a poem.
PSPE Students are learning hand eye coordination skills including how to pass and receive different sports balls, to throw accurately and to move with a ball.
Key Dates November 15th (Friday): International Day November 18th (Monday): Early Finish, 11:40am, Three Way Conferences November 24 HIWC Charity Bazaar 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
VIETNAMESE Students will listen to the story the “Three Little Pigs”, and discuss what constitutes a home and understand how homes reflect family life and culture in Vietnam.
Unit 2
If you don’t have friends you will be lonely. If you are caring you will have friends. It is important to welcome friends. 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.