These are long overdue photos from our unit last semester. Children were creative and expressed their ideas in a variety of ways.
Drama, shadow puppets, plays...
Drama and dance...
Puppet Theatre
Ms Pana shows us how ballet dancers express feelings through 
their actions, facial expressions and body.
 
A treasure map Ethne made on paper for her materials show and tell provided the perfect provocation for the whole class to explore mathematical language of positional words.  We decided to take our big ideas outside and draw them on concrete. Students worked individually or in teams to plan and draw their treasure maps. They described the route and gave directions using words like over, under, up, down, above, below, straight on, in between, across, through, in, out, around, left and right. And not to forget the language of sequencing of course - first, then, after that, later, in the end...The great thing about taking learning outside the classroom is the space and freedom children have to express their ideas, interact with each other and just to be out in the open natural light is invigorating.

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Who could resist tracing shadows....it was 11.30 in the morning and our shadows were kinda short. Wonder if they'll get shorter at 12 noon. We'll have to find out.

 
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Earth Day Pledge Tree

We take from the earth...we create...we let it go back to earth... On Earth Day we did not want to use paper or paints to create.
 
The Student Led Conferences provided an opportunity for students to share their learning journey in K2, their successes and growth. They were very proud of their achievements and led the conference confidently. 
 
KINDERGARTEN 2 ACTION AS SERVICE PROJECT 2013

K2HV, K2HH and K2JS are very proud to present their Action As Service Project for 2013. Action as Service projects form an essential component of Elementary School PYP curriculum and in Kindergarten 2 it involved service in the widest sense of the word: service to fellow students.

During our unit of inquiry, Who We Are, we inquired into the choices we make about safety and behaviour and how our actions impact our lives.  Students used knowledge and conceptual understanding gained during the course of inquiry to design and develop a Water Safety Brochure for Elementary School: Safety Smart in the Water. K2 classes worked collaboratively and met several times to brainstorm the Do’s and Don’ts of water safety. We then drew pictures and wrote the text for the brochure.

The brochure was presented to the whole school at assembly and copies distributed just before swimming lessons began in March this year.

The kindergarten students demonstrated great problem solving skills, were knowledgeable and reflective making close connections with our unit of inquiry.

Hima, Hazel and Joe

Kindergarten 2 

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We presented our brochure to the whole school at assembly in time for Swimming lessons which began the next week.
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Our teachers created a google doc and all classes brainstormed ideas for the Do's and Don'ts list. We then decided which ones we should include in our brochure. We then wrote them out clearly in our best handwriting and drew pictures.
 
A fun-filled literacy week. Activities ranged from stories read in Mother Tongue languages by Middle and High School students to author and illustrator visits, Literacy Night and favourite character dress-up day. And yes, there was the Book Fair!
This week saw all students in K2HV turn authors and illustrators! Please come down and see our books which have been displayed on the bulletin board outside our classroom.

Literacy Night

Friday : Book Character Dress Ups

We were inspired by author Adeline Foo and illustrator Samantha who shared where they get their ideas for their stories and how a book comes together.  We then had a go at our own illustrations using their techniques.
 
 
   Working in a group
Our unit of inquiry which focused on cooperation and team work culminated in group projects.  The children decided to work in their Sports Day teams and chose their projects.

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The process…
Once the teams had decided on their projects, they engaged in 2 -3 cycles of PLAN-DO-REVIEW refining their ideas and presentations in the process.  It was interesting to observe and record how simple ideas turned into mega projects in a matter of days. 

What was initially a simple collaborative sandwich making activity turned out to be a complex operation. The team decided they should  a shop called Yummy Sandwiches. They worked on  a menu, a shop sign and some pretend money to buy the sandwiches. When potential customers arrived at the shop, they were greeted with a smile, offered a selection of peanut butter,  Nutella, cheese and lettuce sandwiches and were reminded to pay the cashier before they left the shop.

The Construction Group took their work of building a Hotel inspired by Marina Bay Sands very seriously. The used recycled cartons and boxes. It was complete with a roof top swimming pool, restaurants, a very special car park, emergency lights, escalators, et al.  A fabulous structure, it was a labour of love over many hours of collaboration.  Inspired by the impressive construction, the K1 children embarked on their own project to build robots with used cartons and boxes.

The dramatization of The Enormous Tomato evolved into a polished production after much discussion on the plot, characters the children would play, their costumes and the sequence of events.  They put on a wonderful show. We had to of course, buy tickets for the show.

The puppet show about Dolphins and Mermaids was a sensitive and tender story about friendship and caring. It showcased the beautiful puppets made by the group, their creativity and team work. Not wanting to miss an opportunity to capitalize on a great production, the tickets went on sale just before the show! 


PLANNING

PREPARATION

THE PRESENTATION

 
Taking learning outside the classroom and exploring natural materials around us to consolidate maths concepts... We gathered some leaves, twigs, stones and seeds to make number stories. Then the same materials were used to make a beautiful Nature Collage. Working with natural materials is a sensorial experience and children need these encounters with nature to appreciate textures, colours shapes and the beauty around them. 
 
A fun-filled day! The events started with a running race and the young athletes enjoyed their first experience of running on a real track. We then moved on to the rotational activities on the field which saw great team work, cooperation and commaraderie amongst the children. Bean Bag Balance Relays, Parachute, Bean Bag throw, Spoon and Egg Relays, Baton Relays, Fruit Salad , Duck-duck Goose and Tug-of-War. Whew! While the children hardly seemed  to notice the heat, the adults were all but melting in the morning sun and humidity. We cheered and shouted ourselves hoarse. The parents participated in the bean bag throw and tug-of-war which got really competitive :)
All photos courtesy Malin, Fung Yee, Duncan, Lotten, Jayeeta and Amita. Thank you parents!

    Author

    Hi! My name is Hima Venkateswaran and I teach K2HV at International School Singapore. I hope you enjoy our class blog. We would love to hear from you.

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