Last week of Term 1

After a long and dynamic first term, it's time to bid farewell until next year. There were so many outstanding events this week and the pace was so fast, most of my photos are blurry!

One of the great successes of our most recent unit of inquiry was Suheda's periscope as a way to change point of view. It's a very unique project that authentically demonstrates the concept of Perspective while exploring mathematics, optics, and construction.

As part of their Cultural Expo, the students researched and created models of fashion from different parts of the world and historical eras.

Their outfits were not only creative, but historically and culturally accurate!

Planning for the Winter Performance Celebration of Learning was a valuable lesson in planning and time management, as the students wanted to create 'sets' just one day before the show! Although they did make backgrounds, we didn't bring all the necessary equipment to quickly mount them on stage.

The students were probably most excited to share their food. Unexpectedly, the JIES community ate everything!

We were all impressed and proud of Suheda's first public violin performance. Brava, Suheda!

Our trilingual dramatic production about perspective and point of view was interesting and entertaining.

Of course, who doesn't love a heartwarming song like That's What Friends Are For during the winter holiday season?

Now, we all deserve a rest, time with family, and a few homework assignments to keep our minds sharp and continue our inquiries. I've also sent it in an email, but here is the list of Winter Homework Tasks:

1 Personal History Project (interview, gather primary sources)

2 Independent reading (30 minutes per day, at least five days)

3 Daily Tasks Form (check email, Kidblog, XtraMath, Geography quizzes; at least five days)

4 Independent inquiry (at least one reflection)

5 Journal (Kidblog; at least two posts)

Thanks to everyone for your enthusiasm and commitment to learning this term! Happy New Year!

jies.jp

Counting down...

These last two weeks of Term 1 have started very well, with all of the students very engaged with their inquiries and excited to learn with their friends at school.

It has been a particularly busy week for Miray, starting with her blog post about one of her favorite television programs. Below is the tweet from our class Twitter account (twitter.com/jiesgrade6).

Miray blogged about a #greatstory, @digeryarimatv! http://t.co/UwzTZJtXg4 #Turkey
— 'Uniters' JIES Gr5/6 (@JIESgrade6) December 8, 2014

Sule and Miray worked together to measure the area of the school playground as part of Sule's inquiry into 'how many soccer balls would it take to fill the playground?'.

Congratulations to Suheda for completing XtraMath! Each student in our class practices XtraMath daily and can easily access their account from the JIES Grade 5/6 wiki (jiesgradefiveandsix2014-15.wikispaces.com).

It was difficult to keep the secret, but many students at JIES planned a surprise birthday party for Bushra!

Of course, finishing inquiries and preparing for the Winter Performance Celebration of Learning takes quite a lot of work. The class is collaborating to write a trilingual script about alien abduction and cultural perspectives over time. View their work in progress by clicking this link!

They also made a fun discovery while writing their script:

We have discovered the chat function in Google Docs. BAHAHAHA!
— 'Uniters' JIES Gr5/6 (@JIESgrade6) December 12, 2014

We're very excited for next week! See you on Thursday!

jies.jp

People from history book

In Japanese class, Grade 5/6 students picked their favorite person and historic event to make a paper about them.
They learned about Masaoka Shiki, Marilyn Monroe,Helen Keller,Taki Rentaro, Elizabeth 1 of England, Cleopatra, William Shakespeare, Palace of Versailles, Apollo program.
They were really creative when they were making the paper.

jies.jp

Sky Tree and The Fab Mind

Before the next two weeks become too busy, we decided to squeeze in a field trip as part of our inquiry into Perspective, 'point of view', and how our 'personal histories connect us to the past and help to determine the future'.

Exploring #perspective at Tokyo Sky Tree! pic.twitter.com/UgDhc2J7QN
— 'Uniters' JIES Gr5/6 (@JIESgrade6) December 5, 2014

Seeing Tokyo from 450 meters altitude provides a rare and unique opportunity to experience Perspective visually and physically. I am curious to see how students apply this new understanding in other areas, for example, interpreting research or drawing.

The Fab Mind at Tokyo's premier design museum, 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, was the perfect compliment to our unit of inquiry. Our central idea, 'personal histories connect us to the past and help to determine future', might have been the theme of the exhibit. It features conceptually rich, technology and solution oriented, culturally and socially conscious, design and art work from around the world.

Next week, the students will complete their inquiries and begin to assemble their presentations for the second Celebration of Learning and Winter Performance.

jies.jp