Reflections: 9th–13th March
Last week we mainly worked on our final assessment task – designing and writing a brochure or book about puberty. The aim of the task is to show a good understanding of the whole process of puberty and how we should deal with it. After the Easter break students will start the Exhibition, so we also spent a lot of time discussing what personal issues the students feel they would like to investigate this year. Students decided on a range of issues and these were then discussed by the teachers and a list made from which the students will choose their preferences.
Unit of Inquiry
This week students will choose their Exhibition topics and groups will be finalized according to their choices. Remember, groups will be made from students from both year 6 classes.
Students will finish their assessment task for the ‘’Moving Forward’’ unit (the brochure or book). This will need to be completed and handed to the teachers by Friday. They will be checked over the holidays and students will be given their assessment rubric first week back after Easter.
Mathematics
This week we will continue our work on fractions and will have an assessment of the work done so far. We will continue to revise angles and 2D and 3D shapes. We will also revise other areas of Maths to keep skills fresh in the minds of the students.
English
This week we will focus on the information that will be needed for the assessment task for the unit “Moving Forward”. Students will finish either a brochure or a small book which details the changes and issues that occur during puberty and the transition from junior school to senior school.
What can I do to help?
• Students may want to discuss with you the issues for the Exhibition. It is important for parents to take an active part in the Exhibition as students will need to do some work at home during the 6 weeks of the Exhibition.
· Please remind your child to keep practising their maths on the maths games websites that they have access to. It is important to keep maths skills fresh in the mind.
· There will be no set class homework this week. Students will have to revise their maths (fractions) and complete their puberty brochure or book if necessary.
With thanks,
David Barrett, David Gocentas and Ms Isabel Costa Pereira
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Year 6 Exhibition Information Meeting for Parents
On Tuesday 31st March at 19:00, Ms Amanda Jones, Mr David Gocentas, Mr David Barrett and Mrs Yvonne Barrett will be presenting an information evening in the refectory for all parents of Year 6 students to introduce you to the Year 6 Exhibition which commences Monday 20th April.
The Exhibition is a significant event as it is the culminating assessment of the IB Primary Years Programme. It is essential for parents to attend this meeting as you will play a very important role in the Exhibition and will need to be aware of the changes that will take place in the school day and with homework during the period of the Exhibition.
The evening will include an hour long presentation highlighting the key features of the Exhibition and there will be an opportunity for questions. We will begin promptly at 19:00.We look forward to seeing you there.
The Exhibition is a significant event as it is the culminating assessment of the IB Primary Years Programme. It is essential for parents to attend this meeting as you will play a very important role in the Exhibition and will need to be aware of the changes that will take place in the school day and with homework during the period of the Exhibition.
The evening will include an hour long presentation highlighting the key features of the Exhibition and there will be an opportunity for questions. We will begin promptly at 19:00.We look forward to seeing you there.
Newsletter - Term 2 (Week 11)
Reflections: 16th – 20th March
Last week we watched a BBC video about the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty. Teachers were impressed with the maturity shown by the students during the discussion. Last week we also focused on the major issues that arise due to “peer pressure”, especially as students are now looking forward to going on to senior school next year. After the Easter break students will start the Exhibition, so we also spent a lot of time discussing what may be the major issues that students feel they would like to investigate this year. “Action”, doing something about things that concern us, solving problems, is an important part of the PYP and the Exhibition, so our discussions concentrated a lot on the issues which students feel that they can actually do something about. There will be more information about the Exhibition topics soon. In the meantime, please don’t forget the Exhibition Information Meeting for Parents on 31 March, 2009 at 7pm.
Weekly News: 23rd - 27th March
Unit of Inquiry
This week we will continue with the discussion and investigation of peer pressure and topics for the Exhibition. We will have a visit to our classes from some senior school students to discuss with Year 6 some of the issues and problems that Year 6 feel they would like to talk about concerning puberty and starting senior school. Senior students will be able to share some of their experiences. Thanks must go to Ulrica Oom for assisting us with these sessions and arranging for the visit by the senior students.
Mathematics
This week we will continue our work on fractions, in particular, extending addition and subtraction facts to improper and mixed numbers. Fraction work will be the major focus of our number groups until the end of Term 2. In class Maths we will continue to revise angles and 2D and 3D shapes. We will also revise other areas of Maths to keep skills fresh in the minds of the students.
English
This week we will focus on the information that will be needed for the assessment task for the unit “Moving Forward”. Students will have to create either a brochure or a small booklet which details the changes and issues that occur during puberty and the transition from junior school to senior school.
What can I do to help?
• Students may want to discuss with you some of the aspects of their upcoming assessment task. You may want to ask your child what they think are the main issues that need to be included in their brochure or booklet. Also, please remind your child to keep practicing their maths on the maths games websites that they have access to. It is important to keep maths skills fresh in the mind.
With thanks,
David Barrett, David Gocentas and Ms Isabel Costa Pereira
Last week we watched a BBC video about the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty. Teachers were impressed with the maturity shown by the students during the discussion. Last week we also focused on the major issues that arise due to “peer pressure”, especially as students are now looking forward to going on to senior school next year. After the Easter break students will start the Exhibition, so we also spent a lot of time discussing what may be the major issues that students feel they would like to investigate this year. “Action”, doing something about things that concern us, solving problems, is an important part of the PYP and the Exhibition, so our discussions concentrated a lot on the issues which students feel that they can actually do something about. There will be more information about the Exhibition topics soon. In the meantime, please don’t forget the Exhibition Information Meeting for Parents on 31 March, 2009 at 7pm.
Weekly News: 23rd - 27th March
Unit of Inquiry
This week we will continue with the discussion and investigation of peer pressure and topics for the Exhibition. We will have a visit to our classes from some senior school students to discuss with Year 6 some of the issues and problems that Year 6 feel they would like to talk about concerning puberty and starting senior school. Senior students will be able to share some of their experiences. Thanks must go to Ulrica Oom for assisting us with these sessions and arranging for the visit by the senior students.
Mathematics
This week we will continue our work on fractions, in particular, extending addition and subtraction facts to improper and mixed numbers. Fraction work will be the major focus of our number groups until the end of Term 2. In class Maths we will continue to revise angles and 2D and 3D shapes. We will also revise other areas of Maths to keep skills fresh in the minds of the students.
English
This week we will focus on the information that will be needed for the assessment task for the unit “Moving Forward”. Students will have to create either a brochure or a small booklet which details the changes and issues that occur during puberty and the transition from junior school to senior school.
What can I do to help?
• Students may want to discuss with you some of the aspects of their upcoming assessment task. You may want to ask your child what they think are the main issues that need to be included in their brochure or booklet. Also, please remind your child to keep practicing their maths on the maths games websites that they have access to. It is important to keep maths skills fresh in the mind.
With thanks,
David Barrett, David Gocentas and Ms Isabel Costa Pereira
Friday, March 20, 2009
Year 6 Exhibition Information Meeting for Parents
On Tuesday 31st March at 19:00, Ms Amanda Jones, Mr David Gocentas, Mr David Barrett and Mrs Yvonne Barrett will be presenting an information evening in the refectory for all parents of year 6 students to introduce you to the year 6 Exhibition which commences Monday 20th April.
The Exhibition is a significant event as it is the culminating assessment of the IB Primary Years Programme. It is essential for parents to attend this meeting as you will play a very important role in the Exhibition and will need to be aware of the changes that will take place in the school day and with homework during the period of the Exhibition.
The evening will include an hour long presentation highlighting the key features of the Exhibition and there will be an opportunity for questions. We will begin promptly at 19:00.
We look forward to seeing you there.
The Exhibition is a significant event as it is the culminating assessment of the IB Primary Years Programme. It is essential for parents to attend this meeting as you will play a very important role in the Exhibition and will need to be aware of the changes that will take place in the school day and with homework during the period of the Exhibition.
The evening will include an hour long presentation highlighting the key features of the Exhibition and there will be an opportunity for questions. We will begin promptly at 19:00.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Newsletter - Term 2 (Week 10)
Dear Parents,
This week promises to be another big week in Year 6. As the Junior School Production The Magical Mystery Tour is only two weeks away many of the students are busy rehearsing and preparing for upcoming show. In the meantime, our current unit continues to spark the children’s interest and motivate them in their learning.
Reflections – 9th – 13th March
During the second week of our unit Moving Forward the children continued to research and investigate the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty. One of the highlights of the week saw the children separate into two groups (boys and girls) and meet with Mr Barrett/Mr Gocentas and Ms Isabel/Ms Jones to ask questions about the various physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty. All teachers were very impressed with the children’s questions and the level of maturity shown by most of the students. Well done!
Weekly News: 16th — 20th March
Unit of Inquiry
This week we will again practise good research skills as we investigate additional facts about puberty. During the week we will be watching a BBC documentary on puberty where the children will view a number of interviews with different teenagers sharing their experiences about puberty. Later in the week we also plan to introduce and discuss the idea of peer pressure. We are also hoping to host some senior students from SDIS to discuss their experiences with peer pressure and offer some strategies for dealing with peer pressure.
Mathematics
We continue our work on fractions this week, particularly adding and subtracting fractions with like and unlike denominators. The children are generally progressing well in their fraction work and are mostly able to simplify fractions and find equivalents (of course this is much easier if the children know all their multiples and factors). In class maths we spent last week measuring and identifying angles. We will continue work on this concept as we prepare to focus on 2-D and 3-D shapes in the coming weeks.
English
In learning about puberty the children have researched puberty facts from both primary (experts) and secondary (reading materials) sources. This week they will practise their note-taking skills as they record facts and notes while watching a BBC documentary about puberty. The children will also use their research and note-taking skills to begin to write factual statements about puberty. During our library research sessions this week the children will continue to refine their skills in using online reference websites, eg. www.bibme.org. In our reading groups the children will continue to read information texts with the view to increasing their vocabulary as well learning more about puberty.
What can I do to help?
· A great website to use with your children throughout our current unit (especially as part of their reading homework) is the Kid’s Health site http://kidshealth.org/kid/
· Please ask your children about the work we have been doing in class. The more adults that speak to them about puberty and help them to understand the inevitable physical and emotional changes that will occur, the less likely the children will be confused about this very important phase of their lives.
With thanks,
David Barrett, David Gocentas and Ms Isabel Costa Pereira
This week promises to be another big week in Year 6. As the Junior School Production The Magical Mystery Tour is only two weeks away many of the students are busy rehearsing and preparing for upcoming show. In the meantime, our current unit continues to spark the children’s interest and motivate them in their learning.
Reflections – 9th – 13th March
During the second week of our unit Moving Forward the children continued to research and investigate the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty. One of the highlights of the week saw the children separate into two groups (boys and girls) and meet with Mr Barrett/Mr Gocentas and Ms Isabel/Ms Jones to ask questions about the various physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty. All teachers were very impressed with the children’s questions and the level of maturity shown by most of the students. Well done!
Weekly News: 16th — 20th March
Unit of Inquiry
This week we will again practise good research skills as we investigate additional facts about puberty. During the week we will be watching a BBC documentary on puberty where the children will view a number of interviews with different teenagers sharing their experiences about puberty. Later in the week we also plan to introduce and discuss the idea of peer pressure. We are also hoping to host some senior students from SDIS to discuss their experiences with peer pressure and offer some strategies for dealing with peer pressure.
Mathematics
We continue our work on fractions this week, particularly adding and subtracting fractions with like and unlike denominators. The children are generally progressing well in their fraction work and are mostly able to simplify fractions and find equivalents (of course this is much easier if the children know all their multiples and factors). In class maths we spent last week measuring and identifying angles. We will continue work on this concept as we prepare to focus on 2-D and 3-D shapes in the coming weeks.
English
In learning about puberty the children have researched puberty facts from both primary (experts) and secondary (reading materials) sources. This week they will practise their note-taking skills as they record facts and notes while watching a BBC documentary about puberty. The children will also use their research and note-taking skills to begin to write factual statements about puberty. During our library research sessions this week the children will continue to refine their skills in using online reference websites, eg. www.bibme.org. In our reading groups the children will continue to read information texts with the view to increasing their vocabulary as well learning more about puberty.
What can I do to help?
· A great website to use with your children throughout our current unit (especially as part of their reading homework) is the Kid’s Health site http://kidshealth.org/kid/
· Please ask your children about the work we have been doing in class. The more adults that speak to them about puberty and help them to understand the inevitable physical and emotional changes that will occur, the less likely the children will be confused about this very important phase of their lives.
With thanks,
David Barrett, David Gocentas and Ms Isabel Costa Pereira
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Newsletter - Term 2 (Week 9)
Reflections: 2nd – 6th March
Last week we started our new unit “Moving Forward” which focuses on the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty. The first lessons and discussions started with the inevitable nervousness and embarrassment from many of the students, but students soon adapted to the situation and we had some great discussions and activities. We discussed words that we would need to use to properly look at the process of puberty and students did some written activities to show how much they already knew of the process. They realized too with the discussions that the information they are learning, although embarrassing at times, is necessary for them to deal with the changes that occur, not just with puberty, but with moving to year 7 next year.
Weekly News: 9th - 13th March
Unit of Inquiry
This week we will continue with the discussion and investigation of the physical and emotional changes of puberty and we will watch some videos from the BBC which were made specifically to introduce both boys and girls to some of the main issues. Boys and girls will be introduced to the changes that they each experience and have to deal with so that they have a better understanding for both boys and girls.
Mathematics
This week we will continue our work on fractions. Fraction work will be the major focus of our number groups until the end of Term 2. In class Maths we will continue to revise the measurement concepts taught earlier in the year, particularly perimeter, area, volume and capacity. The work done in these areas last week has already shown a great improvement in these areas so we will continue and strengthen the students understanding of these concepts.
English
This week we will continue to focus on the vocabulary needed for our unit of inquiry in our guided reading groups. Students need to practice how to spell these technical words and how to use these words correctly in English. We will continue our research on the topic of puberty and with Mrs Barrett will continue to learn how to use online resources for bibliographies so that we can properly acknowledge sources of information we use in our research. This will be an essential part of this unit and also of the Exhibition next term.
What can I do to help?
• Students may want to discuss with you some of the aspects of what we are studying. It is an important feature of the unit and allows the students to establish a more mature relationship with their parents. Please be open to discussions with your child as this will allow this maturity to develop in a healthy way.
With thanks,
David Barrett, David Gocentas and Ms Isabel Costa Pereira
Last week we started our new unit “Moving Forward” which focuses on the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty. The first lessons and discussions started with the inevitable nervousness and embarrassment from many of the students, but students soon adapted to the situation and we had some great discussions and activities. We discussed words that we would need to use to properly look at the process of puberty and students did some written activities to show how much they already knew of the process. They realized too with the discussions that the information they are learning, although embarrassing at times, is necessary for them to deal with the changes that occur, not just with puberty, but with moving to year 7 next year.
Weekly News: 9th - 13th March
Unit of Inquiry
This week we will continue with the discussion and investigation of the physical and emotional changes of puberty and we will watch some videos from the BBC which were made specifically to introduce both boys and girls to some of the main issues. Boys and girls will be introduced to the changes that they each experience and have to deal with so that they have a better understanding for both boys and girls.
Mathematics
This week we will continue our work on fractions. Fraction work will be the major focus of our number groups until the end of Term 2. In class Maths we will continue to revise the measurement concepts taught earlier in the year, particularly perimeter, area, volume and capacity. The work done in these areas last week has already shown a great improvement in these areas so we will continue and strengthen the students understanding of these concepts.
English
This week we will continue to focus on the vocabulary needed for our unit of inquiry in our guided reading groups. Students need to practice how to spell these technical words and how to use these words correctly in English. We will continue our research on the topic of puberty and with Mrs Barrett will continue to learn how to use online resources for bibliographies so that we can properly acknowledge sources of information we use in our research. This will be an essential part of this unit and also of the Exhibition next term.
What can I do to help?
• Students may want to discuss with you some of the aspects of what we are studying. It is an important feature of the unit and allows the students to establish a more mature relationship with their parents. Please be open to discussions with your child as this will allow this maturity to develop in a healthy way.
With thanks,
David Barrett, David Gocentas and Ms Isabel Costa Pereira
Monday, March 2, 2009
Newsletter - Term 2 (Week 8)
Dear Parents,
Welcome back to the second half of Term 2! We hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable mid-term break. The remainder of this term promises to be very entertaining and interesting as we begin our fourth unit of inquiry.
Reflections – 16th – 20th February
The final week before the mid-term break saw the majority of children complete their final assessments for our third unit, Testing, Testing 1,2,3. The children did a good job in investigating and comparing different brands of the same product and testing them for quality and value-for-money. The last week before the break also saw the children enjoy another fantastic Portuguese Poetry Day as well as the always entertaining and fun Carnaval parade.
Weekly News: 2nd — 6th March
Unit of Inquiry
This week we begin our fourth unit for the year, Moving Forward. The central idea of the unit is growing up means coping with change and learning about ourselves. We will be inquiring into the physical and emotional changes experienced during puberty and the strategies for coping with change. This is a particularly relevant unit for the children as many of them are already experiencing the physical and emotional changes associated with puberty and have many questions. Please note that the scope of the unit will be restricted to the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty rather than discussing and teaching reproduction. However, please be aware that the children will naturally be curious about reproduction and will want to discuss this topic with you.
During our first week we will introduce the children to some key vocabulary that will be used throughout the unit as well as do some pre-assessment activities to ascertain what they already know about puberty.
Mathematics
This week we resume our work on fractions. Fraction work will be the major focus of our number groups until the end of Term 2. This week we will revise fraction terminology, representing fractions and finding fractions of groups. In class maths we will revise some of the measurement concepts taught during our last unit, particularly perimeter, area, volume and capacity as a number of the children require further consolidation of these concepts.
English
The major focus of our English work throughout this unit will be to read, research and write factual information reports. The children will continue to practise good reading and comprehension skills during reading groups this week as they learn some basic information and vocabulary about puberty.
What can I do to help?
· A great website to use with your children throughout our current unit (especially as part of their reading homework) is the Kid’s Health site http://kidshealth.org/kid/
With thanks,
David Barrett, David Gocentas and Ms Isabel Costa Pereira
Welcome back to the second half of Term 2! We hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable mid-term break. The remainder of this term promises to be very entertaining and interesting as we begin our fourth unit of inquiry.
Reflections – 16th – 20th February
The final week before the mid-term break saw the majority of children complete their final assessments for our third unit, Testing, Testing 1,2,3. The children did a good job in investigating and comparing different brands of the same product and testing them for quality and value-for-money. The last week before the break also saw the children enjoy another fantastic Portuguese Poetry Day as well as the always entertaining and fun Carnaval parade.
Weekly News: 2nd — 6th March
Unit of Inquiry
This week we begin our fourth unit for the year, Moving Forward. The central idea of the unit is growing up means coping with change and learning about ourselves. We will be inquiring into the physical and emotional changes experienced during puberty and the strategies for coping with change. This is a particularly relevant unit for the children as many of them are already experiencing the physical and emotional changes associated with puberty and have many questions. Please note that the scope of the unit will be restricted to the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty rather than discussing and teaching reproduction. However, please be aware that the children will naturally be curious about reproduction and will want to discuss this topic with you.
During our first week we will introduce the children to some key vocabulary that will be used throughout the unit as well as do some pre-assessment activities to ascertain what they already know about puberty.
Mathematics
This week we resume our work on fractions. Fraction work will be the major focus of our number groups until the end of Term 2. This week we will revise fraction terminology, representing fractions and finding fractions of groups. In class maths we will revise some of the measurement concepts taught during our last unit, particularly perimeter, area, volume and capacity as a number of the children require further consolidation of these concepts.
English
The major focus of our English work throughout this unit will be to read, research and write factual information reports. The children will continue to practise good reading and comprehension skills during reading groups this week as they learn some basic information and vocabulary about puberty.
What can I do to help?
· A great website to use with your children throughout our current unit (especially as part of their reading homework) is the Kid’s Health site http://kidshealth.org/kid/
With thanks,
David Barrett, David Gocentas and Ms Isabel Costa Pereira
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