The children have been busy writing reports this week. They published their short reports on different jobs, choosing to either type or handwrite the finished piece. They also brought together their questions, research and notes on their chosen ISS exchange system to write the final report. We focussed on grouping connected ideas or information to make paragraphs. We also collaborated as a class to create a report on the Salvation Army Donation Drive that happened last week. In UOI, the children were excited to begin planning their Market Day event. We discussed why having systems for exchanges is useful and how we might organise our Market Day. The children came to the conclusion that having a system helps to make things EASIER and CALMER. Some of their comments include: We need systems for exchanges so... "it is respectful" (Yuuki) "it is not crazy" (Hugh) "it is not a mess" (Charlie) "it is fair and everyone gets a turn" (Yuuki) "it is organised so that people know what to do" (Maria) "it is safe" (Fedor) "it is pleasant for people" (Ray) They then worked to decide what they wanted to sell, what research they might need to do, what they would need to buy or prepare etc.. We then visited our target audience (K1, K2 and G1) to gather information on what colours, flavours and games they liked. Alongside this, we began exploring our third line of inquiry: How exchange systems affect Singapore. The children investigated where some items in the classroom had come from and we started a chart to record this information. This led to a discussion about how the goods reach us and how this might have changed over time. We learnt a little of Singapore's maritime past and noted down key words from a video resource. We summarised what we had found out together: Singapore is in a good location. It is in the ocean where many shipping routes pass. It was a dangerous place in the past because there were many pirates who raided passing ships. Boats had to pass through the "Dragon's Teeth" to get to Singapore. When the British came they made it safer by building light-houses. We will continue these exciting inquiries on our return from the Chinese New Year break with our trip to the Maritime Museum which showcases the Maritime Silk Route. In the meantime, the children may begin to notice container ships, the Singapore Port or light-houses around Singapore. In our Maths learning, we developed our facility with using coins. Ahead of Market Day, we practised paying, giving and getting change. The children created their own Price Lists during Maths Writing and then role-played buying and selling with a partner. As a class and in small groups, we also examined word problems involving money. We used the strategies of: highlighting key information; deciding what operation to use and then using number lines or column notation to solve the questions. UN Sustainable Development Goal #12: Some students volunteered to feedback what happened during the Salvation Army Donation Drive with the Elementary classes. They worked to prepare a short speech and then visited each class. They also showed the certificate we were presented with.
Student Voice: I liked doing the research from the video. It was so dangerous! (Sara), I'm looking forward to the field-trip. (Fedor), I liked planning for Market Day (Hyuga), I liked asking K1 and K2 questions (Yuuki), I liked making the game for Market Day (Shoichi), I liked working with my group (Maria).
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AuthorGrade 2.1 are a class of 7 and 8 year old students who attend ISS International School in Singapore. We learn together and play together and enjoy sharing our discoveries with you. Archives
June 2019
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