PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAMME (PYP) TERM 2, 2020-21 at St. Andrews International School, Green Valley
Finding ourselves halfway through the school academic year, it makes perfect sense to pause and reflect on our learners’ progress and successes. I was incredibly proud of each and every learner during our recent Student Led Conference.
Our pupils proved to be true PYP learners, taking the driver’s seat to lead and present the conference, reflecting on their learning journey so far as lifelong learners. It’s during these moments, as parents and as teachers, that we reflect on just how much our learners have progressed in their learning and character since the start of the new year. As a learning community, there were many smiles and proud moments shared throughout the day. Our learning doesn’t stop there! Rather, it makes us more determined to provide challenging and creative learning opportunities during Term 3. I am excited to see where this will take us as a learning community!
Mrs Faye Wood PYP Co-ordinator
PYP SPOTLIGHT IB Approaches to Learning (ATL)
Parents who attended the recent PYP workshop learnt about the importance of Approaches To Learning (ATLs). Approaches to Learning are promoted in our curriculum and, simply put, are skills used across all
areas of the curriculum helping children 'learn to learn'. As a PYP school, this makes our curriculum unique and relevant to ever changing world. Approaches to Learning provide a foundation for all lifelong learners to learn independently, and with others both inside and outside and the classroom, and beyond school life. In a rapidly changing world, with exponential changes in technology, it is important that we promote lifelong learning skills fit for the 21st century. Many of these 21st century skills are reflected within the five Approaches to Learning in our PYP curriculum.
PYP UNITS IN ACTION NURSERY
Central idea:
Through play we express feelings and ideas Approaches to Learning: Communication
The Nursery children have explored their school environment and favourite stories through play! We have engaged in many creative activities such as story telling, colouring, painting, art and crafts, role play, forest school, water play, messy play and many more! The children have used and developed their wonderings of creativity and imagination! Throughout this unit of inquiry, the nursery children have had voice and choice to explore their interests and ideas through play, both independently and collaboratively. In doing so, the children have developed their communication skills as well as self management skills, developing their fine and gross motor skills. The children have enjoyed this unit of inquiry thoroughly but rest assured, the children will continue to learn throughout the year through handson play. Real learning is messy!
PYP UNITS IN ACTION KINDERGARTEN
Central idea:
Stories can help people understand the world. Approaches to Learning: Communication
Kindergarten have been learning about how stories can help us to understand the world. We learnt the story ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ and then went on our own bear hunt in our outside area. We have been focusing on many traditional tales such as Cinderella, Rapuzel, The Gingerbread Man and Little Red Riding Hood. We have inquired about the characters, settings and events in many different stories whilst developing our love for reading. Members of our learning community have also shared stories with us in their different languages too. The children have been very busy creating their own fairytale castle and props to use when retelling various stories. The children have developed their communication skills whilst having lots of fun at the same time!
PYP UNITS IN ACTION RECEPTION
Central idea:
Different art forms allow people to express themselves in different ways Approaches to Learning: Communication
During our recent Unit of Inquiry, the children have been exploring and creating different Art Forms in order to express themselves. The children have developed their communication skills during this unit to express and reflect their feelings and emotions towards different forms of art.
Through the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, the children have painted the characters, acted out the story and created beanstalk sculptures. Using a story as a stimulus helped the children to recreate the story with purpose to ensure they had the characteristics of an effective performance.
PYP UNITS IN ACTION YEAR ONE
Central idea: Stories can be told in a variety of ways to engage their audience and communicate meaning Approaches to Learning: Communication
The Year 1 children have been learning about the theme ‘How we Express Ourselves’ and have inquired about the elements of storytelling. We have been developing our communication skills to re-tell the story ‘Handa’s Surprise’, recreating the story with their own characters and settings. They have explored the different ways to retell stories creatively using shadow puppets, story stones, role play masks and modelling clay. After Songkran, the children are looking forward to performing the story ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, developing their collaboration and communication skills with the Year 2 learners. In preparation, the children have been learning the songs and are beginning to design the different scenes in the performance. They are excited to learn more about the features of the production and performance of a story such as scenes, stage settings and costumes.
PYP UNITS IN ACTION YEAR TWO
Central idea:
Habitats have unique features which living things are dependent on Approaches to Learning: Research
During our PYP lessons, we have been inquiring about how different animals have adapted to their habitats. For example, we discovered that polar bears have white fur to help them disguise in the snow. We explored the habitats within our school environment and collected data using scientific inquiry skills and careful observation. During our Student Led Conference, the Year 2 children showed creative thinking skills when working with parents, designing a new creature and demonstrating how it adapted to living in their chosen environment.
Outside of the classroom we deepened our learning journey by visiting Chom View horse riding stables, inquiring about how the horses are taken care of in this habitat. This trip was organised using student agency, where our learners showed a keen interest in horses and asked whether they could plan a trip involving horses to link to our transdisciplinary theme ‘Sharing the Planet’. The children proved to be excellent risk takers during the trip and managed to ride a horse as well as groom them, feed them and lead them on a walk.
PYP UNITS IN ACTION YEAR THREE
Central idea:
People apply their understanding of forces and energy to invent and create Approaches to Learning: Thinking
Year 3 have just completed their unit all about forces. The children really impressed us when using their thinking skills to create and carry out experiments, which explored various forces. It was an enjoyable and practical unit where the children planned, tested and reflected on many different designs of inventions that use energy. We particularly enjoyed making various parachutes for our eggs before throwing them down the fire escape! At the end of the unit, the children applied all of their learning to design a car of the future that would survive a fall, move without being touched and finally float across a body of water to get treasure!
PYP UNITS IN ACTION YEAR FOUR
Central idea:
Patterns in nature determine the Earth’s physical features Approaches to Learning: Communication
The children in Year 4 have been focusing on the issues that our planet faces and are taking action to change the world in which we live. They have been using their research, thinking and communication skills to work collaboratively on projects related to the Global Goals, which they will then present to the rest of Primary. In true PYP learner style, they will encourage everyone to do their bit to help mitigate the impact of climate change. Year 4 have been very reflective, showing a shared commitment towards helping to build a better future for everyone. Year 4 has also celebrated and appreciated the beauty of our planet by investigating the landforms and cycles that exist, how they work and how they influence each other. Through inquiry, they have experimented hands-on to explore different types of rock and the water cycle.
PYP UNITS IN ACTION YEAR FIVE
Central idea:
Connections between past civilisations and present day societies influence the future Approaches to Learning: Research
The Year 5 learners have thoroughly enjoyed researching about the characteristics and inventions of different ancient civilisations. They have developed their scientific investigation skills to discover more about ancient machines such as levers and pulleys. They have applied their knowledge to create their own simple machines in Forest School lessons to solve the mystery ‘how did the Egyptians build the pyramids?’. The children have had voice, choice and ownership to explore and research an ancient civilisation of their choice to create their own informative website. In fact, after teaching their parents at the Student Led Conference, many of our learners have inspired and upskilled their parents’ technology skills to create their own websites! After the Songkran holidays, the Year 5 learners will take action by sharing their websites with our Year 2 children, who would like to know more about ancient civilisations that created the artefacts they studied in a previous unit of inquiry.
PYP UNITS IN ACTION YEAR SIX
Central idea:
Many elements combine to create a theatrical performance Approaches to Learning: Social
During this unit of inquiry, Year 6 became more knowledgeable and improved their communication skills by learning about the many elements required to create a theatrical performance. Each and every member of the class played an integral role, from script writing to sound technician to costume design. The roles they played came about through student agency, choosing what they would like to learn more about. We had three weeks to collaborate as a year group to put on the production. The children learnt a lot of new skills and improved their understanding of the different elements required to put on a show. Year 6 have enjoyed being risk takers and we hope their love for theatre production will continue into secondary and beyond.
PYP UNITS IN ACTION SPECIALIST SUBJECTS
PE The Reception children have developed their balancing techniques using gymnastics as different art forms to express themselves as part of their current unit of inquiry, ‘How we express ourselves’. The children proved to be great risk takers and developed their social skills to work collaboratively with a friend when exploring different balances and contact points.
FRENCH During the Year 6 unit of inquiry ‘Many elements combine to create a theatrical performance’, Miss Eileen’s class studied the art of mime in France. This cultural experience deepened the children’s inquiry of the essential elements needed for different art forms and performances. Scan the QR code to see Lorenzo’s very creative French mime!
PYP UNITS IN ACTION SPECIALIST SUBJECTS
MUSIC
Year 4 have balanced and applied their learning during their unit of inquiry in music lessons, to perform a group musical composition about global warming using xylophones. This will be performed in Year 4s assembly after Songkran, where they will advocate about how we can all do our bit to tackle climate change. Scan the QR code for a sneaky peek of their planned performance.
THAI As PYP learners, we are internationally minded and we celebrate the languages we share in our learning community. During their ‘Sharing the Planet’ unit, the Year 2 children inquired into the crops and flowers that we grow in the Primary garden. The children are able to identify and label the parts of a flower using Thai and are able to recognise the significance and symbolism of Thai flowers used during Thai celebrations.
OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
PARENT WORKSHOPS
Wellbeing Seminar w/Mr. Yann 14:00-15:00 Friday 30th April 2021 Workshop details TBA
The Science Behind Mindfulness w/Miss Cooper 14:00-15:00 Friday 31st May 2021 This workshop will be looking into the science behind Mindfulness and the benefits of regular practice. Miss Cooper will be sharing skills and materials for parents and children to promote positive Mental Health at school and at home. Open for anyone looking to manage stress, regulate emotions and live a calm and present lifestyle.
IB Attributes 14:00-15:00 Friday 4th June 2021 Parents and families are invited to join us in a fun and interactive PYP-focused workshop based upon the IB learner attributes. The aim of the workshop will be to develop an understanding of the IB attributes, share the language of the PYP and to recognise and support these attributes at home, as well as with everyone in our learning community. As the IB learner attributes is a shared language across all phases of our school, we welcome all of our parents to join in this fun packed event!
UPCOMING UNITS OF INQUIRY Below are the upcoming units of inquiry that our young learners will be learning after the Songkran break:
Central idea
Approach To Learning
Changes happen in the world around us
Thinking and Research
Kindergarten
Through investigation, we come to new understandings.
Research
Reception
Human activity can be influenced by the Earth (and its natural cycles)
Thinking
Year 1
Stories can be told in a variety of ways to engage their audience and communicate meaning.
Communication
Year 2
The performing arts are used as a form of expression to communicate and entertain.
Communication
Year 3
Children globally encounter a range of challenges and opportunities.
Research and Communication
Year 4
Structures are designed to serve a purpose in our community.
Year 5
Economic activities have an impact on humankind and the environment.
Year 6
Exhibition
Nursery
Social
Research Thinking, Research, Communication, Social and Self Management
UPCOMING EVENTS APR 19
FIRST DAY OF TERM 3
APR 23
PRIMARY STEAM DAY
APR 29
KONINGSDAG (KINGS DAY) CELEBRATION - DUTCH STREAM
APR 30
WORLD BOOK DAY VOCABULARY PARADE
APR 30
PARENT WORKSHOP - WELLBEING SEMINAR
MAY 3
STAFF TRAINING DAY– NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
MAY 7
YEAR 1 & 2 PRODUCTION
MAY 18
YEAR 6 EXHIBITION
MAY 26
VISAKA BUCHA DAY– SCHOOL CLOSED
MAY 31
PARENT WORKSHOP - THE SCIENCE OF MINDFULNESS
MAY 31 - JUN 2
YEAR 6 RESIDENTIAL TRIP
JUN 3
HM QUEEN SUTHIDA’S BIRTHDAY - SCHOOL CLOSED
JUN 4
PARENT WORKSHOP– IB ATTRIBUTES WORKSHOP
JUN 14-18
LAMDA EXAMS
JUN 18
YEAR 6 PROMOTION CEREMONY
JUN 23
PRIMARY PROGRESS AND ATTAINMENT AWARDS
JUN 23
MEET THE NEW TEACHER DAY
JUN 23
PRIMARY REPORTS EMAILED HOME
JUN 25
LAST DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
KEEP IN TOUCH
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