Husky Herald - December 2010

A CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PUBLICATIONDECEMBER, 2010

Husky Herald

GHOSTS AND GOBLINS AT CIS

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CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS AT TK

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DRAMA IN ISTANBULPAGE 30

THE WAYFINDERS ROCK SINGAPORE

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MICA (P) 205/09/2010

CISHuskyHerald-December2010

REGULARS

8 JEHighSchoolGallery16 TanjongKatongGallery24 TTElementarySchoolGallery32 JEMiddleSchoolGallery34 SchoolCalendar

FEATURES

3 GhostsandGoblinsatCIS4 UnitingNationsatTohTuck-MoeHonda Reflects5 ExcitingOpportunitiesAhead6 ExploringtheWorldofScience7 TheExploratoryYearsTakeLearning Outdoors10 CulturalCelebrationsatTK11 InquiringMindsatTohTuck12 MovemberatCIS13 TheWayfindersRockSingapore14 OpenMinds-TheUltimateFieldExperience18 AssembliesatTK-PullingtheSchool Together19 AlumniFeature-CaitlinYeo20 CISSwimTeamMakesaBigSplashat FirstMeet21 SingaporeInternationalSchools MathematicsCompetition22 TeachersInvestigateInquiry23 I’mLivingMyDream-DownhillBiking(DH)26 WhatStudentsareSayingaboutBrainology atJE27 HorsingAroundatTK28 Assessment-GoingBeyondTestsand Scores29 StudentsTestDriveCareersinCooperative Education30 DramainIstanbul

Editor: MichelleSharpAssistantEditor: NatashaCruzPhotography: RaeHongandCISteachers

CONTENTS

TheHuskyHeraldispublishedbi-monthly(5issuesperschoolyear)bytheCommunicationsDepartment.ItisdistributedtofamiliesandstaffoftheCanadianInternationalSchool.

COMMUNICATIONSDEPARTMENTTohTuckCampus5TohTuckRoadSingapore596679

Website:www.cis.edu.sgEmail:[email protected]:+6564671732

MICA(P)205/09/2010

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CISHuskyHerald-December2010 3

Therewasnoshortageofghosts,goblins,piratesandprincessesatthisyear’s“TailgatingforTreats”Halloweenevents!TheCISPTAwasdelightedtoorganizethisannualtraditionalonOctober30thatboththeTTandTKcampuses.Itwasamagicalnight,asnearly1200CISstudentsdresseduptoeagerlycollecttreatsfromanimpressiveline-upofdecoratedcars.Withtreatsinhand,childrenmovedontoenjoybouncycastles,hauntedhouses,gamesofallsortsandtheopportunitytospendamemorablenightwiththeirfriendsandfamily.Manyparentsandteachersjoinedintheaction,asseveralDadswerespotteddemonstratingtheirsuperiorgamingtechniquesingameslike‘SplattheRat’,‘SeveredHeadToss’and‘PumpkinBowling’!OneofthedefiningfeaturesofthisannualtraditionistheparticipationoftheentireCIScommunity.AsidefromthemanyeagerTrick-or-Treaters,over100studentsfromtheCISHighSchool,MiddleSchoolandGirlScouts,volunteeredtheirtimebyrunningthegames,preparingthehauntedhouses,takingtickets,etc.Manyparentsandteachersacrossthethreecampusesalsovolunteeredtheirpersonaltimeincreatingthemagicweallenjoyedthatevening.TheCISStaffandPrincipalsprovidedtremendoussupportthroughouttheentireplanningprocess.Forallofthiswonderfulsupportandparticipation,thePTAExecutive

Committeewouldliketoexpressitssincereappreciationandthankstoalltheattendeesandvolunteerswhomadethiseventsospecial.OnbehalfoftheCIScommunity,IwishtosendoutahugethankyoutothePTAExecutiveCommitteewhoworkedtirelesslythroughoutthemonthsofSeptemberandOctobertocapturethespiritofHalloweenforkidsyoungandold.

GHOSTS AND GOBLINS AT CIS By Jane Donaldson, CIS PTA President


AttheParadeofNations,Isawmanykindsofclothesfrommanycountries.Somecountry’sclotheswerecolourful,shinyandsparkly.InJapan,weweara‘yukata’,‘kimono’,or‘happi’.Iwaswearinga‘yukata’,whichwaswhitewithaflowerdesign.Icouldnotcounthowmanycountrieswereparadingbecausethereweresomany!Ithoughtitwasfuntoparadebecausewecouldseemanykindsofclothesandfindourfriendsparading.Icalledtheirnamesandsaid,“Youlookgreat!”

AtFoodFestival,manymomscametohelpandwerereadytogiveusdifferentfoods.IsawthatmanyJapanesemomsweremakingyummyfoodforus.ThereweremanyfoodssoIcouldnotchooseveryquickly.IthoughtallthemomswerehappyattheFoodFestivalbecauseweatetheirfoodhappilyandsaidtothem,“Thankyou.Itisveryyummy!”Iwisheverydaywasacelebration.

Toendtheweek,weenjoyedtheCulturalCelebration.IlistenedtotheHuskyChoirsingandwatchedsomeamazingdancessuchastheMexicandance,anIrishdanceandaChinesedance.MyfavouritesongwasO’Siem,whichwassungbyalltheGradeThreestudents.Ithinkwesangwell.Andy,mymomsaid,“Itsoundedsogreat”,soIfeltsoglad.Thisyear’sthemeis‘FriendsUnderOneSun’.Ithinkthatifwewanttomakefriendswithotherpeople,weneedtobekindtothemorwecannotbecomecloserfriends.

UNITING NATIONS AT TOH TUCK - MOE HONDA REFLECTSBy Moe Honda, Grade 3-2

PhotobyAnnaPeterson


EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD By Dr. Glenn Odland, Head of School

ItwaswithgreatanticipationthatIrecentlyannouncedthemoveindateforthenewLakesidecampus.AsHeadofSchool,IamexcitedaboutthetransitionsandopportunitiesthatlieaheadfortheCIScommunity.

TherehavebeenanumberofimportantannouncementsoverthepastweeksatCIS.WearedelightedtohavesecuredtwoexcellentcandidatesfortheTohTuckPrincipalandVicePrincipalpositions.RobKiddell,Principal,andMarioGauci,VicePrincipal,willjoinCISinJuly2011andarebothseasonededucatorswithvastexperienceandastrongunderstandingof,andcommitmentto,theInternationalBaccalaureatePrimaryYearsProgramme.IamcertainthatunderRobandMario’sexperiencedleadership,andwithSharonGibson’sassistance,theTohTuckcommunitywillexperienceasmoothtransitiontoLakeside.

WithamovedateofOctober31,2011confirmed,wearelookingaheadwitheageranticipationoftheopportunities

thatlieaheadforourstudentsandforusasaschool.Althoughbricksandmortardonotmakeastrongacademicprogramme,thefacilitiesatLakesidewillofferustheabilitytoshowcasethemanytalentsofourstudentsandenhanceouracademic,fineandperformingartsandsportingprogrammes.Facilitiessuchasthe500seatauditoriumwithaprofessionalflytowerwillallowustohostdramaticandmusicalperformancesonsiteinanamazinglocation.Theelevatedsoccerfield,uponcompletion,willallowustohostcompetitivesoccermatchesonhometurfandwillaccommodatealargecrowdofspectators.TheatmosphereinthegymwillbeelectricasourHuskiesgoforgoldincompetitivebasketball!

Thecampuswillhousepurposebuiltscience,languageandcomputerlabs,dedicatedspecialistareassuchasart,music,musicpractice,andbandanddramarooms.Thesewillenhanceourprogrammesandofferourstudentsamazingopportunitiesand

experiences,whichwillextendtheirlearningandensureawellroundededucation.Recreationalareashavebeenthoughtfullydesignedtoensurethattheyareageappropriateandofferadditionallearningopportunities.WeknowthatmanyofyouwillbeeagertoseeLakesidebeforethemove.Aswegetclosertothemoveindate,wewillannouncedatesforstaff,parentsandstudentstovisitLakesideandseetheirnewhome.

OurTKcommunitywillremainontheEastCoastandthereareanumberofnewandexcitingdevelopmentsonthehorizon.Constructionofcoveredbasketballandfutsalcourtsarecurrentlyunderway,aswellastheexpansionofthecreativeplaygroundarea.Othercapitaldevelopmentpossibilitiesarecurrentlybeingreviewed,andwillbecommunicatedassoonastheyareconfirmed.WearehappytosaythatourPYPauthorisationvisitforTKwilloccurinMarch2011.WewillcontinuewiththeauthorizationprocessfortheMYPandtheprogrammesofferednextschoolyearwillexpandtoincludegrade10.

AtCIS,2011willbeayearoftransitionthatwillbefilledwithanticipationandexcitement.Asalways,ourprimarymandateremainstoengage,enlightenandempowerourstudentsforalifetimeofendlessopportunities.

Lakeside construction updates are available on the school website www.cis.edu.sg

PhotobyAnnaPeterson


Studentsingrades7to12atJEthisyearareenjoyingsomeexcitingscientificexploration.Extralabspaceandastronginquirybasedprogrammeareassistingustodrivetowardourvisionoftakingstudentsinteractionswithsciencebeyondtextbooks.Studentsingrades7and8startedtheyearoffwithsomecaptivatinginvestigativescientificenquiry.Handsoninvestigationsingrade7,sawstudentsworkingonastandingjumplabwheretheyinvestigatedthedifferencebetweenswingingarmsandnon-swingingarms,andwhateffecttheyhaveonhowfarsomeonecanjump.Grade8studentsperformedaninvestigationtotestthedifferentfactorsthataffectsthespeedofagyrocopter.Afterstudentscompletedtheirinitialinvestigation,theydesignedandbuilttheirowngyrocopterinsmallgroups.Uponcompletionofthegyrocopters,studentscompetedtoseewhosemachinecouldstayintheairthelongest.

Grade9studentsrecentlycompletedaunitonecology,whichpresentedthemwithanopportunitytogrowtheirownecosystemandevaluatethefactorsthataffecteditssuccess.Studentsdidafabulousjobincreatingecosystemsthatrangedfrombottlescontainingwormstobigaquariumswithdifferentmarinelife.Theyalsohadtheopportunitytoexploreandlearnaboutanendangeredplantoranimalspeciesandcomposedanessayontheirfindings.Grade10studentshavebeenengagedinmanyactivitiesthathaveseenthemresearchingdifferentchemicaldisastersthathaveoccurred

EXPLORING THE WORLD OF SCIENCEBy Piyanka Dilawari, Science Learning Lead Grade 7 to 12

intheworld,toplanningtheirownlabtomeasuretherateofreactions.Inthechemistryunit,theyalsohadanopportunitytoobservevariousexperimentsthatdemonstratesciencecanbereallyfun.Theirfavouriteexperimentswerethe“Elephanttoothpaste”andthe“Gummybearexplosion”.

Oneofthehighlightsforthesciencedepartmentthisacademicyearwasaprojecttakenonbyyear1and2IBstudents.ThestudentsdemonstratedcharacteristicsoftheIBlearnerprofilewhilstorganizingspeciallessonsforeachofthegrade4classestoteachthemabout“ScientificInquiry”.Thegrade11and12studentstookontheroleofateacher/scientistandshowedtheyoungerstudentshowtheyuseinquiryineverydaysciencelessons.Theirteachingsessionintroducedtheconceptofinquiryandincludedtwodemonstrationsandonehandsonactivity.Theexcitedmiddleschoolstudentswereengagedinvariousactivitiessuchasmakingplastic,testtubemirrorsandconductingvinegarandbakingsodareactions.Thisprojectgaveseniorstudentsinsightintotheteachingprofessionandachancetoapplytheirscientificknowledge.

Lookingbackovertheyearsofar,wefeelwehavehadaverygoodstartthankstoexpandedfacilitiesandgreatenthusiasmfrombothteachersandstudentswhohavebeenwillingtotrynewthings.Wewillcontinuetonurturethestrongcultureofcuriosityandaimtodevelopaloveofscienceinallstudents.Ifyouhaveanysuggestions

orwouldliketolearnmoreaboutwhatwearedoingandplanning,pleasedoreachouttoanymemberofthesciencedepartment–wewouldlovetohearfromyou!


TheExploratoryYearschildrenhavebeenplayinginouroutdoorareasinnewwaysthisyear.Weknowthatthetimeourchildrenspendoutdoorsisasimportantasthetimetheyspendinsidetheclassroom,andthatchildrenneedrichandstimulatingoutdoorenvironmentsforcreativeplayopportunities.Duringmorningandlunchrecess,theplayground,field,sandpitandenchantedgardenisset-uptoengagechildreninthistypeofmeaningfulplay.Thechildrenusematerialsandresourcesfromtheirclassroomstoplayincreativenewwaysandtoplaywithchildrentheymightnothaveplayedwithasapartoftheirregularrecessroutine.Thespaceandtheobjectsplacedinitencouragechildrentointeractduringplay,whichpromotesdialogueandcollaborativedecisionmaking.Inouroutdoorareas,weseethatinquiryoccursnaturallyanditistrulyanextensionofourclassroomlearningenvironment.

Bythoughtfullyplacingresourcesandcreatinginvitingspaces,thechildrenaresupportedintheirplaytodevelopcooperationskillsastheycometodiscovertheseareastogether.Cooperationandcollaborationdonotendwhenitistimetopackupforclass.Thechildrenhaveenthusiasticallytakenresponsibilityfornotonlyhelpingwiththeplanningandset-upoftheseoutdoorspaces,buttheyarealsoinchargeoftidyingup,thereby

showingasenseofprideandindependence.ThetraitsoftheLearnerProfilecanbeseencomingtolifeintheoutdoorareas.Thechildrentakerisksastheyexplorenewrolesandplaystrategies,andacquirenewskills.ThosewhowouldnormallyplayarunninggameonthefieldaredrawntothePEequipmentthathasbeensetout.Thechildrenthataremorelikelytospendtimeontheplaygroundhavedifferent

THE EXPLORATORY YEARS TAKE LEARNING OUTDOORS By the SK Team, TT Campus

choicesavailabletothem:maybeacosycornerwithabook,orbuildingamakebelievevillagefordinosaurs.Theyarelearningtomakechoicesregardingthetypeofplaytheyengagethemselvesinastheylearntounderstandtheimportanceofbalanceintheirdailyroutine.Somechoosetoplayaphysicalactivityonthefieldandotherswillchooseamorerelaxedactivitysuchaspaintingordrawingonthechalkboards.


culturefest at high school



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Eachyear,TanjongKatong’sannualCulturalCelebrationseventbringsacolourfulandvibrantspirittotheCISschoolcommunity.IrememberthefirstCulturalCelebrationatTKwhenweonlyhad130studentsintheParadeofNations.AsTKhasgrownoverthepastfewyears,sohastheenthusiasmandspiritgeneratedfromthe3dayevent.Thisyear,45nationalitieswererepresentedintheparadeofnationsand170parentvolunteersensuredthatthefoodfestivalwasaroaringsuccess.Itwasevidentthatthisyear’stheme“ManyCultures,OneCommunity”exemplifiedourcommunity,whereeveryonecametogethertocelebrateandappreciateoneanother’sculture.

ThefirstdayoftheCulturalCelebrationbringstheOpeningCeremonyandParadeofNations.Studentsandteachersaredressedincolourfulcostumesandmarchacrossthestagewithenormoussmileswhilstrepresentingtheircountry.TheseconddayistheFoodFair.Theelaboratedisplayoffoodanddecorationswouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthewonderfulparentvolunteerswhocontributedtheirtimeandculinaryskillstomaketheeventasuccess.TKstudentshadanopportunitytoberisktakersbytastingnewfoodsthattheyhadneverhadthechancetotrybefore.Thefinaldayoftheeventbroughttheclosingceremony.StudentsandstaffwereenthralledbyaKoreanmusicianwhoplayedatraditionalstringinstrumentandaMexicandancegroup,headedbyaCISparent,who

performedawonderfulnumberintheircolourfulcostumes.

Throughoutthe3daysofCulturalCelebrations,parentswereinvitedtosharewithstudentsstoriesoftheirhomeculturethroughartsandcrafts,presentations,andgames.Talkaboutacelebration!Whiletheeventmayhaveended,thecommunityandmulticulturalspiritcontinuestostayaliveatTK.

CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS AT TKBy Michellene Uy, Grade 3 Teacher


OnOctober14thand15th,thestaffatTohTuckengagedintwodaysofprofessionaldevelopmentaroundaninquiry-basedapproachtoteachingandlearning.Inquiry:BuildingtheWhyandHowputstudentsatthecentreofplanningandaskedhowweasteacherslistentoourstudents,provokethinking,documenttheirwonderingsandthinking,andaccompanythemintheirinquiries.

Inquiryisapowerfulapproachtoteachingandlearning.Studentsconstructknowledgebyexaminingideas,makingandtestingtheories,playingwithpossibilities,collectingdata,makingpredictionsandsolvingproblems.Teachersskillfullyanticipateandassessstudentinterestsandneedsthroughouttheinquiryandinterweavethesewithcurriculumexpectations.Theresultisacomplex,transdisciplinaryunitofstudyinwhichstudentsbuildmeaningfulconnectionsandbigunderstandingswhiledevelopingrelevantskillsandknowledge.

Theprofessionaldevelopmentdaysprovidedanopportunitytosharestoriesofinquiry,toreviewandextendideas,toexaminecurrentpractices,andtoplanfornextsteps.Allstaff,includinghomeroomteachers,specialistsandeducationalassistantsattendedbreakoutsessionstotakeacloserlookatinquiryfromdifferentperspectives.

Inonesession,stafflookedattheinstructivepoweroftheenvironmentswecreatewithchildren,andtheopportunitiesforinquirywhichtheenvironmentsmakepossible.

Manyteachersexpressedaninterestincontinuingtoexplorethistopic,andourExploratoryYearsteachersareparticipatinginabookstudytofurthertheirlearningandpractice.

Inobject-basedinquiry,theuseofobjectstoengagestudentsinthinking,deepeningunderstanding,anddevelopingskillsneededinlearningwasinspirationaltomanystaffmembers.“Objectbasedinquirygavemeallkindsofnewwaysoflookingatprovocationsandquestioning,”oneteachersharedafterthesession.ThisworkshophadastronginfluenceontheGradeThreeteam’splanningforaninquiryintohowplantsarealife-sustainingresourceforusandotherlivingthings.Eachclassbegantheunitwithasensory-basedexplorationof10“mystery”objectsselectedtoengagestudents’thinkingaboutplantsandtoassesstheircurrentunderstandingofthecentralideatoinformplanningfortheunit.

Documentation,frompassivetoactive,askedteacherstoexaminetheirownpracticesbyexploringtheideaofdocumentationasbothanounandasaverb.Activedocumentationintheclassroombecomes“visiblelistening,”andapowerfultoolusedfordiscussionandforguidinginquiries.“Iwillfocusonusingthedocumentationdonewiththekidstotakelearningfurther,”becameateacher’sgoalafterattendingthesession.ChangesindocumentationpracticearevisibleinclassroomsandhallwaysthroughouttheTohTuckcampus,andhaveinfluencedhowteamsof

teachersareplanningtogether.

Inadditiontoattendingthebreakoutsessionsandobservingstoriesofinquiryfromakeynotespeaker,teachersspenttimeplanningtogetherinteamstoputsomeoftheirnewideasandreflectionsintopractice.ThisresultedinsomeexcitinglearningopportunitiesforthestudentsatTohTuckoverthenextfewweeks.TeachersreportedthattheProfessionalDevelopmentDayswillhaveanimpactonthelearningintheirclassroomprogrammes.“Ithaschangedthefocusofmyplanning–toallowformorestudentchoice.”“Itmademecritiqueandrethinkmyownclassroompractice.”“Inspirationfromexamplesofinquirymademestepbackandhavealookatmyprogramforwaystoimprove.”“Ithinkitwillhaveagreatimpactonourplanningasateam.”“Ourteamhasalreadybeenworkingonimplementingsomeofthegoalsweidentified.”

ThePYPcharacterizesinquirersasthosewithnaturalcuriosity-independentlearnerswhoactivelyenjoylearningandwhosustainthisloveoflearningthroughouttheirlives.Whetherlearningnewskillsandideasorreexaminingcurrentpractices,theprofessionaldevelopmentdayswereavaluableopportunityfortheTohTuckstafftodemonstrateacommitmenttolifelonglearningandtofurtherbestpractices.

INQUIRING MINDS AT TOH TUCK By Charla Marshall, TT PYP Curriculum Coordinator


SomeofyoumaybewonderingwhysomanymalestaffatCISweresportingsuchfashionablemoustachesthroughoutthemonthofNovember?Well,believeitornot,itwasbecausethemonthformerlyknownasNovemberwastransformedintoMOvember!

Thosecrazy-andohsoappealing-facialcreationswerecultivatedtoraiseawarenessofmen’shealthissues.Indeedmoustachesaroundthecampusesraisedafeweyebrowsaswell!

MeninmanycountriesaroundtheworldparticipateinMOvembereachyeartohelpraiseawarenessandfundsformen’shealthissues,suchasprostatecanceranddepression.

AtCIS,themonthculminatedinsomeofthegradesvotingforthebest“MO”oneachcampus.ThechosenfewthencompetedforthehonourofbecomingtheCIS“ManofMOvember”.ThisillustrioushonourwenttoMr.JustinSarichfromtheJEcampus.

ShouldyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthepurposeofMOvemberorwouldliketoknowmore,pleasedon’thesitatetoaskaMOBro!

MOVEMBER AT CIS By David Moore, TT PE Specialist


HighSchoolRockBand-TheWayfinders-performedaspartoftheMinistryofEducation’sWorldInSingaporeConcertattheEsplanadeTheatreinfrontof1800peopleinNovember.TheWayfindersare:

AngelaButlerThomasFogginSageWalmsleyJamilSchulzeNazhaLomboanShannonGallagherMr.Patton

MoreinformationcanbefoundatourReverbnationsite-includingvideooftheshowandafreedownloadofBittersweetDrive.http://www.reverbnation.com/thewayfindersband#!

ItisTuesday,November16th.Heartsarebeatingmadlyinourchests.Nervoushandsarefiddlingandadjustingmicrophonestandsandguitarstraps.Thatweak-in-the-kneesandsick-to-the-stomachfeeling

minutesbeforeisalmosttoomuchtobear.Imaginaryvoicesinourheadsarerepeatingtheverseandchoruslinesoverandoveragain.

ThisiswhatitfeltliketobestandingbehindthecurtainsoftheEsplanadetheatre,waitinginanticipation(ormaybedread)forourband,TheWayfinders,tobecalledupontoperformtwosongs“JustlikeHeaven”byTheCureandanoriginalsongcalled“BittersweetDrive”fortheWorldinSingaporeconcertorganizedbytheMinistryofEducation.

Lookingaroundatthe7ofusthatmadeupthebandthisyear,Ireminiscedonhowyearafteryear,ourbandwouldgothroughthedepartureandarrivalofmembers.Aftermanyyearsofperformingatassembliesinschoolandafewgigsoutsideofschool,wemanagedtofinallyscoretheamazingchancetoplayattheEsplanadetheatre,somethingthatwasafirstfor

CIS.

Standingupthereandperformingonstageisnotsynonymoustobeingfedtoapackofwolves,thoughitmightseemitatfirst.However,thoseofyouwho’vebeeninthesamesituationknowthatthefeelingisfleetingandtemporary.AssoonasthelightsflashedandIsawfamiliarfacesintheaudience,well,itfeltjustlikeheaven.

PhotosbyTomoyaSekine

THE WAYFINDERS ROCK SINGAPOREBy Angela Butler, Grade 12


Overthecourseofthelastmonth,Grade4classeshadtheopportunitytoengageinauthenticinquiresduringour“SharingthePlanet”UOI.

Studentshadtheopportunitytoengageininquirybasedlearningwithprimaryresources.Inthiscase,theresourceswere:thenaturalecosystemsinwhichwestudiedconnectionsbetweenlivingandnon-livingthings,featuresandenvironmentalconditionsatPasirRisParkandDairyFarmNaturePark,livingexamplesofbiodiversity,aswellasanopportunitytolearnandperformseveralscientificteststhatallowedstudentstogainknowledgeintotheecosystemswhichtheywerestudying.

Itwasanexciting,innovativelearningexperiencewhichtookusoutoftheclassroomintoavarietyofrealworldsettings.Studentsutilizedinquiryskillssuchasnotetaking(Non-FictionTexts),notemakingandobservation.Alloftheseskillswerefirstdevelopedintheclassroomsothatstudentscoulddocumenttheirlearning.Itwasauthentic,relevant,andmemorable.

HereiswhatMatthew,astudentin4-1C,hastosayaboutourOpenMindsProgram:

PASIRRISTherearealotofthingstolearnatPasirRis.Whenwefirstwentthere,wewenttothebeach.Wefoundmanygastropodsandbivalvesalongthebeach.KaelenandIalso

foundcrabs-alsoorganic-don’tworrytheywerenon-living.Welearnedthatabivalveislikeaclamshellandagastropodisahomeforasmallhermitcrab.Thebivalveisahomeforaclam.Sometimestheshellisinhalf,itislikethatbecausethewavesfromtheseamighthaveknockedtheotherhalfoftheshelloff.Theseashellswereanexampleofbiodiversity,whichmeansitisthesamespecies,buttheyaredifferent.

AtPasirRiswealsodidsomewatertestingatthebeach.Wegottomakeahypothesisaboutwhattypeofwateritwouldbe.Mostofthekidssaiditwouldbesalt,becausetherewerefishermenfishingandthatmeanttheseawasnear.Thereareseveralstepsyoutakewhenyouarewatertesting.Youputthethermometerinthewater.AsitwilltakeawhiletoreadthetemperatureyoucancheckthepHofthewaterwhileyouarewaiting.ThethreepHlevelsthatthewatercouldbeareacidic,basicandneutral.Thenyoucantestthesaltlevel.Wehadaspecialmeterandwhenyouputwaterinit,ittoldushowsaltythewaterwas.Wecanthenusetheresultsfromtheseteststofindoutifcertainanimalscansurviveindifferenthabitats.Forexample,wetestedthepondatourschooltoseeifitcouldholdamudskipper.WedecidedthatthemudskipperfromPasirRiswouldnotabletogoinourpondbecauseitwasthewrongsalinity.Youcanunderstandwhywatertestingisimportantwhentryingtoseewhattypesofanimalscanlive

OPEN MINDS - THE ULTIMATE FIELD EXPERIENCEBy Shauna Cottrell, JE Grade 4 Learning Leader


indifferentplaces.Inthemangroves,wefoundoutthatthemudlobstermakestheholeforthecrabandthecrabtakestheholefromthemudlobster.Mudlobsterswilldigaholetoadepthof2metrestoprotectthemselvesfromtheirpredators,suchascrabs.Thisisanexampleofcommensalismbecausethelobsterworksveryhardandthecrabgetsmorebenefits.

ByMatthewAngoh

HereiswhatEliandSean,studentsin4-1C,havetosayaboutOpenMindsatDairyFarm:

DAIRYFARMDuringOpenMinds,welearnedtotestsoilandwatersothatwecancompareenvironmentalconditionstootherplaces.Withthisinformation,wecandecideifaspeciesmayliveindifferentplaces.TheconditionswetestedforwerepH,temperature,salinity,andwaterandsoiltype.

Soil TestingIndairyfarmwedidsoiltesting.Thesearetheresults:pH=7,moisture=1,pHid=acidic,temperature=27,soiltype=mixture.Thoseweretheresultsthatwegot.

Water TestingWhenwedidwatertestingindairyfarmwegotsomegoodresults.Thesearetheresults:ppi=>16,pH=5,pHid=acidic,temperature=27.5degreesCelsius,watertype=fresh.Thoseweretheresults.

Quadrate experiment Weputaquadrateinthe

shadenearatreeandmadeourwayawayfromthetreetowardsthesun.Wehadtoseehowmanyplantstherewereeverytimewemovedit.Myhypothesiswasthattherewouldbemoreplantsinthesun.MyhypothesiswasnotexactlycorrectbecauseIfoundoutthatthereweremorespeciesintheshade,butthatabiggervarietyofplantswereinthesun.IthoughtthattheexperimentwasfunbecauseweusedmathvocabularyinourUOI.

ConnectionsWaterandsoiltestingandthequadrateexperimentarerelatedtoourcentralidea(livingandnon-livingthingsineco-systemsareconnected)becauseallthosetestshelpusknowmoreabouteacheco-systemsandconnectlivingandnon-livingthings.


STORYBOOK CHARACTER DAY AT TK


STORYBOOK CHARACTER DAY AT TK

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CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS AT TK


Asourschoolhasgrown,sohasourneedtochangetheformatforourschoolassemblies.Weinitiallyhadaneedtodevelopacultureofinclusivenessandtogethernessthatallowedstudentsateveryleveltoappreciatetheeffortsofthoseeitherolderoryoungerthanthemselves.Therewerealsotimeswhenwewantedtheconsistencyofallstudentshearingorseeingthesamepresentationatthesametime.Toaddressourneedtohaveallassembliesrunforanageappropriatelengthoftimeandincludecontentthatismeaningfulfortherespectiveaudiences,wehavemovedtoacombinationofgradelevelandfullschoolassemblies.Atthispoint,thechangeseemstobegoingverywell.

WebegantheyearwithafullschoolWelcomeBackassembly.Overthecourseoftheyear,weplantohavefour

otherfullschoolassemblies:theCulturalCelebration,theHolidayConcert,theChineseNewYearassemblyandtheYearEndClosingassembly.Overthecourseoftheseassemblies,everygradelevelwillhavetheopportunitytoperforminfrontoftheentireschool.

Wehavealsosectionedourschoolintoavarietyofgradegroupingswherestudentswillgatherinsmallergroupstoshareorperforminfrontoftheirmostimmediatepeers.Gradelevelassemblieswillbeheldthreetimesayearand,onceagain,allstudentswillhavetheopportunitytoperform,albeitinamoreintimatesetting.

Atthistime,wehaveenjoyedagreatmixoffullschoolandgradelevelassemblieswherestudentshavepresentedtoveryacceptingaudiences.

Nothingwarmstheheartmorethantoseeanolderstudenthelpingoracknowledgingayoungerstudent.Itisalsowonderfultoseeayoungerstudentpointingandthinking“Thereismyreadingbuddy”astheyperformonstage.Beingpartofanassemblyteachesstudentsnotonlyhowtobeagoodaudiencemember,butalsotoberespectfulandunderstandingofthecourageittakestoperforminfrontofothers.Wehavefoundthismixofassembliesagreatwaytoshareandcelebratestudentlearningandtoprovideeveryparenttheopportunitytoseetheirchildshine.Italsohelpsustomaintainthecultureofourverytightknitcommunity.

Weareverypleasedwithhowthingshavegonethusfarandarelookingforwardtobuildingevenstrongerbondswithinourcampusthroughassemblies.

ASSEMBLIES AT TK – PULLING THE SCHOOL TOGETHERBy Jim Gibson, TK Principal


NatashaCruz,amemberoftheCISCommunicationsdepartment,hadthechancetocatchupwithCaitlinYeo,agraduateoftheclassof2006.CaitlinnotonlywasconsistentlyontheHonourRoll,butwasalsoactiveinotherschoolactivities,suchasplayingbasketball,takingpartintheStudentCouncilandevenwritingforthepreviousschoolmagazine,JustInked.CurrentlyamedicalstudentatQueen’sUniversity,Canada,shecandidlyreflectsonhertimeatCISandsharessomeofherexperiencesincegraduating.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.IamcurrentlyasecondyearmedicalstudentatQueen’sUniversity,Kingston.IwasborninCanadaandmigratedtoSingaporein1993.IattendedCISfrom1997to2005asmyparentsfeltthatitwouldallowmetotransitioneasilybacktoschoolinCanada.WhenIreturnedtoRichmondHill(Ontario)formygrade12yearIfoundthatmyeducationatCIShadpreparedmewellforacademicsuccess.IwasacceptedintoQueen’sUniversitywithascholarship

forundergraduateeducationinLifeSciences.Igraduatedwithdistinctionafter3yearsandmadethetransitiontomedicalschool.

What do you enjoy most about what you are currently doing?Thefieldofmedicineisanimmenselyrewardingcareerandit’ssomethingthatI’vewantedtodoforalongtime.Ifindthatthematerialthatwecoverisrelevantandstimulating.EvenatthenovicestagethatIamat,wegetthechancetoseerealpatientsinthehospitalandmakeadifferenceintheirlives.I’vealsodonesomeelectivesindevelopingcountriessuchasThailandandbeingabletohelpthosethatlivewithoutthebenefitsofbasichealthcareisanamazingexperience.

What sort of challenges do you face?Medicineisnotaneasycareer.Thereisalotofschoolinginvolved,anditcanalsobeveryemotionallyandphysicallydraining.MyclassandIarealsoactivelyinvolvedinavarietyofsports,charityeventsandsocialactivities.Inaddition,Iaminterestedinbecomingasurgeonandthiswillrequireextrayearsoftraining,aswellasverylongworkhours.Therearechallengestobalancingcareer,lifestyleandfamily.

Is this what you had envisaged yourself doing upon graduation from CIS?I’vewantedtobeadoctorsinceIwasabout3yearsold.IremembersittinginMr.

Brydon’scareersclassandreviewingtherequirementsandpersonalitytraitsthatwouldberequiredtopursuemedicine.Despitethedauntingtaskaheadmydeterminationdidnotwaver.

In what way has CIS helped in getting where you are now?CISisaveryspecialschoolandIlookbackatmytimespenttherewithfondmemories.Theclassandschoolsizeallowedtheteacherstospendtimeinvestingineachindividual.CISalsopickedteachersthatwerepassionateaboutnotjustteaching,butguidingstudentsaswell.Therewasalotofattentiongiventoeachstudenttonurturethemandhelpthemgrow.Itgavemealotofopportunitiestoparticipateinahugerangeofactivitiesthatwouldnothavebeenpossibleatsomeotherschools.WhileatCIS,Iwasinvolvedwithamyriadofactivitiesrangingfrombasketball,coaching,androckclimbingtostudentcouncil,editingtheschoolmagazineandrepresentingtheschoolatconferences.IfeelthatCISallowedmetobecomeawell-roundedstudentandtolearntobalanceabusyschedule.

Do you have any advice or last words to dispense to current students?Youhavebeengivenanamazingopportunity,somakethemostofyouryearsatCIS.Youwillonlybeassuccessfulasyoupushyourselftobe.Remembernottoforgettoenjoythelittlethingsinlifeaswell.

ALUMNI FEATURE: CAITLIN YEOBy Natasha Cruz, Communications


CISrecentlycompetedattheDoverCourtinvitationalswimmeet,heldatDoverCourtSchoolonNovember9th.ThesmallbuttalentedCISteamcomprisedofStephTrisic,ScoutReading,IslaHutchinson,SaraLabelle-Provencher,HaleyLittle,SofiaPeres,EstelleVanDerLienden,JoeyChoo,andJennyChoo.

Theteamswamverywellandgainedanumberofplacingsinthe25mprogram.JoeyChooplacedfirstinallhisevents,

CIS SWIM TEAM MAKES A BIG SPLASH AT FIRST MEETBy Todd Bowler, JE Grades 7 to 12 Technology Learning Leader

andsisterJennychimedinwithanotherthreefirstplacesandasecondplace.HaleyLittle,IslaHutchinsonandStephTrisicallclaimedplacesintheirrespectiveevents.TheseniorgirlsfreestylerelayteamfinishedoffasuccessfuldayforCISwithawellearnedthirdintheU/13girlsevent.

TheteamarelookingforwardtomoreupcomingmeetsandtheprospectofhostingeventsatthenewLakesideCampus.

WELLDONETEAM!


Thisyear’sSingaporeInternationalSchoolsMathematicsCompetitionwashostedbyTanglinTrustschoolandsevenschoolsfielded18teams.OneofthefoundingschoolsfortheSouthEastAsianMathematicsCompetition(SEAMC)fromKualaLumpurbroughtthreeteamsdowntocompete!

ThedaybeganwiththeIndividualRoundwherestudentshad1hourtoanswer30questions.Thesecondeventsawstudentscompetinginateamtoanswer13questions,withatimelimitforeachquestionof3minutes.Itwasaverychallengingroundandafteritwasoverweenjoyeda

welldeservedshortbreak!

Aftertheguestspeaker,Dr.DavidSurowski,spokeonatopicdeartohisheart,weenteredthecodebreakerround.Itwasfun,challengingandfastpaced.CISdidquitewell!

Allthatactionandalgebraworkedupanappetite.Thestudentsneededtorechargeforthelastandmostexcitinground,theEnergizerRound.

Onceagain,studentsworkedasateam.Alltheteamswerepresentedwithaquestion.Oncetheyhadtheanswertothequestion,oneteammemberhadtorunacircuit

aroundthecolumnofteamsbeforebringingtheanswertothejudges.Iftheanswerwascorrect,theteamwasprovidedwiththenextquestionandmovedontorepeattheprocess.Iftheanswerwasincorrect,theteamcouldeithertryagain,or,runacircuitasapenaltyinordertomoveontothenextquestion.Afterthepenaltycircuit,teamswereprovidedwiththenextquestionandproceededfromthere.

OurcompetitorswereAlbertLiu,YoungChan(Alex)Yoo,andHanum(Daniel)Lee.Theyranked11thoutofthe18teamspresent.

Congratulationsteam!

SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS MATHEMATICS COMPETITION By Stephanie Shepherdson, JE Grades 7 to 12 Math Learning Leader


“You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions.”NaguibMahfous

Onthe14thand15thofOctober,thePYP(PrimaryYearsProgramme)teachersfromECEtograde6,alongwithsomesinglesubjectteachersfromtheTKcampus,participatedinanIBOin-schoolinquiryworkshop.WewerefortunatetohavetwopresentersleadusthroughtheworkshopwhoarebasedinAustraliaandChina,NicoleGannaneandGlennJames.

WeexaminedthePYP’sperspectiveintowhatinquiryis,andhowinquiryhappens.Inquiryismorethanjustaskingquestions,anddoesnotjustoccurduringourunitofinquiry.Inquiryhasusactivelyparticipatinginourlearning,buildinguponwhatwealreadyknowandmakingsenseoftheworldthatisuniquetoeachoneofus.

Wereviewedwhatinquirycanmean.Itcanlooklike:

• Exploring,wonderingand

questioning• Experimentingandplaying

withpossibilities• Makingconnections

betweenpreviouslearningandcurrentlearning

• Makingpredictionsandactingpurposefullytoseewhathappens

• Collectingdataandreportingfindings

• Clarifyingexistingideasandreappraisingperceptionsofevents

• Deepeningunderstandingthroughtheapplicationofaconcept

• Makingandtestingtheories• Researchingandseeking

information• Takinganddefendinga

position• Solvingproblemsina

varietyofways

(“MakingthePYPHappen”,Page29)

Inquiryinvolvesmakingsenseoftheworldthroughengagingwiththeenvironmentandlooksdifferentwhencomparingagesandsituations.Aspartoftheworkshop,weembarkedonourowninquiriesusingthecentralideasthatourstudents

examineintheirUOIs(UnitsofInquiry).TeacherswentouttoChinatown,Sentosa,theScienceCentreandtheSingaporeArtMuseum.Forsomegroups,whattheylearnedalongthewaywasmoreimportantthangettingtowheretheythoughttheywantedtogo.Onegroupintendedtoinquireaboutaparticularthingbutonceonsite,theinquirywentinanotherdirection.AnothergroupofteacherssawotherpossibilitiesandopportunitiesinChinatowntohelpfurtherdeveloptheinquiriestheyhadexperiencedwiththeirstudentsthisyear.AccordingtoMarcelProvsk,“Therealactofdiscoveryconsistsnotinfindingnewlandsbutseeingwithneweyes.”Ithinkthatissomethingweallexperiencedduringourowninquiries.

ThisworkshopconfirmedthegreatworkwearedoingatTKandCIS,andalsoopenedourmindstoevengreaterpossibilities.

“If you want to build a ship, then don’t drum up men to gather wood, give orders and divide the work. Rather teach them to yearn for the far and endless sea.”AntoinedeSaint-Exupery

TEACHERS INVESTIGATE INQUIRY By Cherie Boltong, TK PYP Coordinator


Downhillbikingisagravity-assistedtimedbikeevent.Ridersraceagainsttheclockoncourseswhichtypicallytaketwotofiveminutestocomplete.Racesareoftenwonbymarginsofunderasecond.Downhillracesareheldonsteep,downhillterrainwithnoextendedclimbingsections,resultinginhigh-speeddescentswithextendedair-timeoffjumpsandotherobstacles.

Manyskiareasareconvertedintobikingvenuesinthesummer,suchasWhistlerMountainBikeParkinCanada.Inmostcountries,bikersridegondolas,tramsorchairliftstothestartingpointatthetopofthemountains.Anothermethod,“Shuttling”,usesmotorizedvehiclestotransportriderstothetopofthehill.InSingaporeandseveralplacesinMalaysia,“push-up”iscommon.Heavyandhotbutcertaintoimproveyourstamina.

Coursesusedincompetitionfeaturedifferent“lines”throughoraroundthemostdifficultobstacles.A-lineisdifficultandincludesjumpsandrockgardens.Riderscanavoidobstaclesbychoosingthe“chicken-line”.Thechicken-lineislongerandyouwilllosetime.

Downhillisanextremesportandsafetyisextremelyimportant.However,despitetakingprecautions,injuriescananddooccur.DHgearfeaturesbodyarmorandfull-facehelmets.Otherprotectivegear,suchasaneckbrace,canbeaddedtoreducetheriskofneckandspinalinjury.Itisalsoveryimportantthatyouhaveabikethatcansustaintheheavyimpactsofthecourse,withgoodfrontandrearsuspension.

IstartedDHwhenImovedtoSingaporeayearandahalfago.MyfirstracewasinMalaysiainJanuary2010.ThereImetMann,whorides

forSingaporeandteam“ElementDH/Banshee”.Mannwantedtobemymentorandthat’showIstartedridingforthesameteamashim.

IbikeasoftenasIcan,beitdownhill,crosscountrybikingoratthebikepark. Thereareno“real”downhillcoursesinSingapore,butthereareareaswhereIcanpractice.MostoftheracesIgotoareinMalaysiawheretheyhaveanationaldownhillseries.SofarIhavealwaysbeentheyoungestriderasmostotherridersarebetween16and30+.RacecategoriesareJunior,Open,MasterandElite.Iwanttobeaneliterider.

Wetakecareofeachotherandhavelotsoffuneventhoughwearecompetitorsinraces.Weallloveoutdoorlifeandthefearwehavewhenwearenotsureifwecanmakeitallthewaydownwithoutacrash!

I’M LIVING MY DREAM - DOWNHILL BIKING (DH) By Adrian Aakre, Grade 7 (JE Campus)


CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS AT TT

24


CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS AT TT

25


TheBrainology®programisaninternationallyrecognised,funandaward-winningprogramthatweusewithourGrade7and8MiddleSchoolstudents.Theprogramhelpsstudentsgainconfidenceandmotivatesthemtolearnbyteachingthemaboutthebrain,andhowtoapplybrain-friendlystudyskills.FormoreinformationonBrainology,pleasevisithttp://www.brainology.us/.

Herearesomecommentsfromgrade8studentsregardingbrainology:

Soumya:Studytipshavebeenhelpful,especiallynowbeforeexams.Thisisasimplewaytolearnaboutacomplexsubject.Usingane-journalisagoodlearningskill.

Liam:Ifitwereaplainvideoitwouldbefuntowatch,butIwouldn’tlearnasmuchasIam.

Hyukho:Onelevelhadinformationabouthowtomemorizeworkbetter.IwasabletouseitforstudyingmyEnglishexam.

Dylan:IthasbeenworthwhilebecauseofsomestudyingstrategiesIhavelearned.OneisthatIstartwithwhatIknowIcandoandthenmoveontoharderthings.Ialsoeateggsinthemorning.

Jun Ho:Ithashelpedmepreparefortestsbetter.

WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT BRAINOLOGY AT JE By Grade 7 and 8 JE Students


MuchliketheTKcampusitself,theExtraCurricularActivities(ECA)programmehascontinuedtogrowanddiversify.Thankstoourpassionateandtalentedstaff,wearecontinuallyabletoprovidemorevarietythaneverinourExtraCurricularActivitiesofferings.Activitiesavailabletostudentsincludevarioussports-bothrecreationalandcompetitive-andincludedance,arts,music,computers,golfandequestrian.EquestrianatTK?NotquiteatTK,butthankstoourownCanadiancowboy,Mr.BrianHobbs,wewereableworkwiththeBukitTimahSaddleClub,toaddthistothelistofourgrowingoptions.

TheTKcampus,inconjunctionwithBukitTimahSaddleclub,offeredstudentsauniqueopportunitytoparticipateinanequestrianECAthissemester.EighteenstudentsfromgradesonetosixshowedupeverySaturdaymorningat10:00AMreadytoride.TheSaddleClubprovidedexpertinstructionanddedicatedhelpersaswellasastringofperfectschoolhorsesfortheriders.Initially,halfthechildrenwouldtakearidinglessonwhiletheothersreceivedstablemanagementclasses.Studentseventuallygraduatedandprogressedfromthemanagementclassestohelpingleadthehorsesorponiesinthering.Thestudentsmadesmoothprogressandallarenowabletosittherisingtrotwithmanyabletorideindependently.

TheopportunitytoparticipateinhorseridingaspartoftheECAprogrammeiscertainly

uniqueandexciting!Itprovidedstudentswithanopportunitytoexperiencesomethingnew.Wewillcontinuetolookfornewwaystoengagestudentsinavarietyofnewlearningandsportingexperiences.Whoknowswhatwillbeonofferinthefuture?

HORSING AROUND AT TK By Dion Norman and Brian Hobbs, TK Campus


AtCISwebelievechildrenenterschoolascompetent,creativepeoplefullofnewideas.Ourprogrammes,therefore,aimtobuildonthevariedexperiencesandunderstandingschildrenbringwiththem.Wethoughtfullycreatelearningenvironmentsthatinviteengagementinexperiencesthatencouragechildrentoquestiontheirpre-existingideas,testtheirtheoriesandreviseandexpandtheirknowledgeoftheworld.Weactivelyrecognizethedevelopmentalnatureoflearning.

Tomeetourchildren’sintellectualneeds,assessmentstrategiesatTohTuckgobeyondtherecallofknowledge.Ofcourse,childrenarestillrequiredtobuildknowledgeandmasterskills,butaddedtothisisthedevelopmentoftheirabilitytoapplywhattheyhavelearnedtotasksthatreflectreallife.Weencouragethemtobeabletounderstandcomplexconcepts,considereffectivestrategies,thinkcriticallyandcreatively,collaboratewithothers,problemsolveandconsidertheimpacttheirdecisionsmayhaveontheworldaroundthem.

Itisouraimtodevelopassessmentpracticesthatwillinformtheessenceofourteachingprogrammesandimprovethelearningofchildren.Thisrequirestheuseofmultipleformsofassessmenttoolsandstrategiesifwearetogaugeanindividualchild’sknowledgeandabilities.

Forexample,inMathematics

andLiteracy,ourteachersuseavarietyofdiagnosticassessmenttools.Thesetoolsenablethemtoanalyzeachild’scurrentstageofdevelopment,setindividuallearninggoals,developtargetedskillandstrategylessons,provideeffectivefeedbacktosupportorchallengeachildandmonitorthechild’sprogressagainstalearningcontinuum.Ourliteracyandnumeracylearningcontinuumshavebeenbenchmarkedtoformgradelevelexpectations.AchildintheIndependenceandChallengeYearswillhavetheirprogressonthewrittenreportrecordedasworking towards,meetingorexceedingtheseexpectations.IntheExploratoryYears,teacherswilldevelopalistofachievementsthatthechildhasattainedwithintheclassroomprogrammeandidentifytheirnextstepsinthelearningjourney.

Knowledge,skillsandconceptualunderstandingswithintheUnitsofInquiryareassessedatvariouspoints.Thismeansthatevenbeforeaunitcommences,teachersareabletogainanunderstandingofwhatchildrenwillbringtotheinquiry.Throughouttheunit,thishelpsteachersmonitorthedevelopmentofchildren’sideas.Again,attheculminationoftheunit,ithelpsteachersdeterminewhetherachildisabletousewhattheyhavelearned.GradelevelteachingteamsdeveloparubricthatdepictsthelearningexpectationsoftheUnitofInquiry.Furthermore,

ASSESSMENT - GOING BEYOND TESTS AND SCORESBy Leanne Sunarya, TT PYP Coordinator

teachersareabletoanalyseachild’slearningby:usingobservationsofchildrenatwork,conversationswithchildrenabouttheirworkaswellastasksthataredesignedtoallowchildrentheopportunitytodemonstratetheirunderstandings.

Portfoliosaccompanythechild’swrittenreportastheyformacumulativecollectionofachild’sworkovertimeandvisuallyshowtheprogressbeingmade.


WhatisCooperativeEducation?

Cooperativeeducationisa2creditcourseintheOntarioSecondarySchoolDiploma(OSSD)thatcombinesclassroom-basededucationwithpracticalworkexperience.Acooperativeeducationexperience,commonlyknownasa“co-op”,providesanopportunityforstudentstoearnacademiccreditsforstructuredjob-relatedwork.

WhocantakeCo-op?

Grade11and12studentswhoexhibitaresponsibleattitude.Theymusthavecompletedorbecompletingacoursedirectlyrelatedtotheareaofemploymenttheyareseeking.

Howdoesitwork?

Co-opallowsstudentstoearncreditsforgraduationwhiletheyregularlyattendanoffcampusworkplacement.Astudentinco-opwillspendpartoftheirdayinschoolbasedsubjectsandtheotherpartofthedayoffcampusinthedesignatedworkplace.Theywillbeattheplacementforaminimumof2.5hourseachday,forfivedayseachweek,forthedurationofthesemester.Traveltoandfromschoolandtheworkplacewillbethestudent’sresponsibility.Thisisanon-paidexperiencethatwillalloweachparticipanttoachieve2creditstowardstheirdiploma.

WhytakeCo-op?

Besidesearning2credits

towardstheirOntarioSecondarySchoolDiploma,studentshaveachanceto“testdriveacareer”.Thisprogramallowsthestudentstoreceivefirsthandexperienceintheworkworld.Theywillalsobeabletodevelopskillsandbehavioursthatwillservethemwellinfuturejobs.Theirworkplacementwillgivethemanopportunitytogainvaluableexperiencethattheycanincludeonaresumeandfindoutwhatskillsareneededforcertainprofessionsorjobs.

WhatkindofworkwillIdo?

Duringthein-classcomponent,studentswillcompleteaskillsassessment,learnabouthealthandsafetyissues,writeresumes,practicejobinterviewingskills,allinpreparationfortheirworkplacement.Wetrytomatchjobstostudent’sinterests.Onceasuitableplacementisfound,thestudentwillbeinvolvedinanorientation

STUDENTS TEST DRIVE CAREERS IN COOPERATIVE EDUCATION By Len Douglas, Cooperative Education Coordinator

sessionattheirworkplaceandthenbeginworking.

ThissemesterwehavestudentsworkingatDellCorporation,CentreStageSchooloftheArts,Samsung,WaltonInternational,RECAS,Rodalink,EMAS,LittleWingsDaycare,andtheTohTuckcampusofCIS.


Istanbul-theverynameexcitestheimagination!ThecapitaloftheancientByzantineandOttomanempireswasthedestinationfor11adventurousCISdramastudentsandTurkeymostcertainlydidnotdisappoint.

Lastyear,ourHighSchooldramateacherMissStern

introducedtheInternationalSchoolsTheatreAssociation(ISTA)toCIS.ISTAholdsseveraldramafestivalsaroundtheworldeachyear,staffedbyprofessionalactorsandtheatreexperts.Lastyear,thestudentstraveledtoBeijing,Chinatoparticipate.

AsoneofthefestivalscoincidedwithourOctoberbreak,wechoseIstanbulasourISTAfestivalthisyear.Thebreakwouldgiveusthechancetospendalittletimesightseeingaswell.Itwasanexperiencewewillnotsoonforget!

Istanbulleavesquitean

impression.Ignoringsuchmoderninconveniencesasmindbogglingtrafficjamsand$15coffees,wethrewourselvesintotheexplorationofacitysteepedinhistoryandwonder.Thestreetsarealivealldaylongwithmerchantssellingeverythingimaginable.

Goodnaturedbargainingisawayoflifethere,asthestudentssoonfoundoutinthealleysoftheGrandBazaar.

Asthesoundsofthemuezzinblareoutoftheminaretsthatdotthehorizon,inIstanbul,thereisnoforgettingwhereyouare.Welovedeveryminuteofourtimeinthecity

thatconnectsthecontinentsofEuropeandAsia.WevisitedtheBlueMosqueinbetweenprayertimesandstoodinaweofthebeautyoftheHaghiaSofia.WeexploredtheancientundergroundcisternsthatcarriedwaterthroughoutthecityduringRomantimes.

DRAMA IN ISTANBULBy Mark Patton, MYP Coordinator


WeclimbedGalatatowerandvisitedtheDolmabahcePalace.WeviewedthetreasuresoftheOttomansintheTopkapiPalacemuseumandtookastunningsunsetcruiseontheBosphorus-prettyamazingforamid-semesterbreak.

ThepurposeofourtripwastheISTAfestivalandthis

consumedmostofthelastthreedaysofthetrip.StudentsquicklybrokeoffintoensemblegroupswithstudentsfromotherschoolslocatedinTurkey,Dubai,QatarandGermany.Theyworkedtogetherovertheweekendtoproduceastunningtheatrepiecepresentedto

parentsandsupportersonSunday.

Overthecourseoftheweekend,thestudentsworkedwithrenownedtheatreeducatorsandprofessionalsfromtheUKandCanadaanddevelopedskillstohelpthemwiththeirloveofperforming.

ISTAparticipantstakeenormousrisksoverthecourseofafestival.Theydiveheadfirstintoimprovworkanddanceandmovementworkshops.Theyspendfourdayslivingwithcompletestrangersfromaforeignculture.Itneverceasesto

amazemehowcomfortableourstudentsareinadaptingtonewsituations!

Ourstudentsforgedfriendshipsthatwilllastalongtime,rekindledtheirpassionforactingandtheatre,andfellinlovewiththewondrouscityofIstanbul.

PhotosbyMarkPatton.


UNITING NATIONS AT MIDDLE SCHOOL

32


UNITING NATIONS AT MIDDLE SCHOOL

33


SCHOOLWIDE:

December20toJan7 DecemberBreak

January10 ClassesResume15 CISOldFashionedSportsDayand Carnival26 EndofSemester127 Semester2Begins

February2to4 ChineseNewYearYear-No Classes17 JohnJosephParentingwiththe BraininMind:RaisingGreat FamiliesParentWorkshop18 ProfessionalDevelopmentDay(No ClassesforStudents)

TANJONGKATONGCAMPUS:

December13to16 Grade8and9Exams17 HolidayConcert

January19 Grade6Exhibition-Parent Meeting(7:00PM)21 FinalSemester1ReportsIssued21 SpiritDay-TeamDay27 Parent-TeacherConferences(PM)28 Parent-TeacherConferences(No ClassesScheduled)February1 ChineseNewYearAssembly11 OpenHouse(9:30AMto12:00PM)

TOHTUCKCAMPUS:

December17 MassWorkout-DREAM

January21 FinalSemesterOneReports Issued27 Parent-TeacherConferences(PM)28 Parent-TeacherConferences(No ClassesScheduled)

February11 ChineseNewYearCelebration17 SKConcert

JURONGEAST(MIDDLESCHOOL)CAMPUS:

January21 FinalSemester1ReportsIssued26 Parent-TeacherConferences(PM)26to27 ChineseNewYearShowcase28 Parent-TeacherConferences(No ClassesScheduled)

February16 PYPMeeting-LanguageArts16 Grade8ParentNight-High School

JURONGEAST(HIGHSCHOOL)CAMPUS:

December14to17 Exams

January20 Grade12MusicNight26 ProfessionalDevelopmentDay- NoClassesforStudents27 OSSDSemester2ClassesBegin

February1 MYPMidYear,DPMidYear,OSSD FinalSemester1ReportsIssued1 ChineseNewYearAssembly10 MYP,DPParentTeacher Conferences(PM)11 ParentTeacherConferences(No ClassesScheduled)16 Grade8ParentNight25 OSSD/DPCourseSelectionsDue

SCHOOL CALENDAR - DECEMBER TO FEBRUARY

www.cis.edu.sg

CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLSINGAPORE

Toh Tuck Campus • 5 Toh Tuck Road, Singapore 596679 • Phone: +65 6467 1732Jurong East Campus • 561 Jurong East Street 24, Singapore 609561 • Phone: +65 6875 1519 or 6323 0208

Tanjong Katong Campus • 371 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437128 • Phone: +65 6345 1573Email: [email protected]

Husky Herald - December 2010

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