Dear Parents and our class of Angelfish!
I make it a point not to add so much words in our class blog, but having initial discussions straight after our experiences in the UN Day Parade and all those fancy dress-ups have gotten the class so excited. I have not actually started the unit, but their enthusiasm prompted the teacher in me to seize the moment and mood and garner their thoughts; we have had so much sharing of opinions that I feel I need to justify our children's thinking processes by sharing with you all that was discussed, so happy reading!
I make it a point not to add so much words in our class blog, but having initial discussions straight after our experiences in the UN Day Parade and all those fancy dress-ups have gotten the class so excited. I have not actually started the unit, but their enthusiasm prompted the teacher in me to seize the moment and mood and garner their thoughts; we have had so much sharing of opinions that I feel I need to justify our children's thinking processes by sharing with you all that was discussed, so happy reading!
1st step: INTRODUCTION
Introduce the Unit Name and prompt for children's prior knowledge and understanding
What does this mean?
"WHERE WE ARE IN PLACE & TIME" ... do you know what this means? Can anyone help me to understand this sentence?
Introduce the Unit Name and prompt for children's prior knowledge and understanding
What does this mean?
"WHERE WE ARE IN PLACE & TIME" ... do you know what this means? Can anyone help me to understand this sentence?
2nd step: PROVOCATION
The class was then shown a world map to seek their prior knowledge of What it is? What does it do?
PROMPT: WHAT IS THIS?
Absentees: Connor, Ameen, Zayne
The class was then shown a world map to seek their prior knowledge of What it is? What does it do?
PROMPT: WHAT IS THIS?
Absentees: Connor, Ameen, Zayne
On another day ...
3rd step: PROVOCATION
Class was shown a globe
PROMPT: WHAT IS THIS?
Ameen - a globe!
WHAT IS A GLOBE?
PROMPT: IS THE WORLD ROUND OR FLAT?
3rd step: PROVOCATION
Class was shown a globe
PROMPT: WHAT IS THIS?
Ameen - a globe!
WHAT IS A GLOBE?
PROMPT: IS THE WORLD ROUND OR FLAT?
We took time off 'work' to appreciate some classical music by 'The Karlsruhe Concert Due' - Reinhard Armleder on Cello, and Dagmar Hartmann on Piano. The whole class impressed everyone with their focus and excellent attentiveness to a rare treat from Karlsruhe Germany! Thank you to the German Embassy and AISD for such a great opportunity!!
We managed to take time off 'work' again by relaxing in a Yoga session ... it was gratifying to see our class showing their enthusiasm in learning, practicing the various movements.
Dec 3, 2013
After our session at the ES Library, we have time enough to watch a movie by Dr Seuss, and extending our understanding on the similarities and differences of each other. Excerpt taken from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3yJomUhs0g:
This is Dr. Seuss' view of prejudice: Some Sneetches have a star on their bellies, and some of them don't. The ones that don't have a star on their bellies are trying to be accepted but wind up being treated like trash. It's a shame that some people today are still prejudice--and proud of it.
We had to pause on several points in the movie as the class was very animated and moved to share a view/opinion on the story line and characters. We talked about differences in the different groups of sneetches and how each treated the other. The children pointed out aspects of behaviour they felt were 'not nice', how it would make the other party 'sad', and 'unhappy'. We talked about the benefits of having a Green Star vs no star at all. Does having a star determine if you are good/making good choices? If you do not have a star on your tummy, does it mean you are not good enough to play with? 'No! We are all friends!" shouted one of our Angelfish, and the whole class agreed :) We will take this learning a step further with a Mitten-Puppet where the class can role-play the story 'Sneetches' or use it to interact with each other and practice/reinforce their social & emotional skills.
Do enjoy watching this movie again with your child and value the discussions you can generate thereafter :)
After our session at the ES Library, we have time enough to watch a movie by Dr Seuss, and extending our understanding on the similarities and differences of each other. Excerpt taken from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3yJomUhs0g:
This is Dr. Seuss' view of prejudice: Some Sneetches have a star on their bellies, and some of them don't. The ones that don't have a star on their bellies are trying to be accepted but wind up being treated like trash. It's a shame that some people today are still prejudice--and proud of it.
We had to pause on several points in the movie as the class was very animated and moved to share a view/opinion on the story line and characters. We talked about differences in the different groups of sneetches and how each treated the other. The children pointed out aspects of behaviour they felt were 'not nice', how it would make the other party 'sad', and 'unhappy'. We talked about the benefits of having a Green Star vs no star at all. Does having a star determine if you are good/making good choices? If you do not have a star on your tummy, does it mean you are not good enough to play with? 'No! We are all friends!" shouted one of our Angelfish, and the whole class agreed :) We will take this learning a step further with a Mitten-Puppet where the class can role-play the story 'Sneetches' or use it to interact with each other and practice/reinforce their social & emotional skills.
Do enjoy watching this movie again with your child and value the discussions you can generate thereafter :)
In the final week before the Dec break, we decorated ornaments for our class' Christmas Tree-Lights, lots of Christmassy crafts with Math/Literacy incorporated in them. We revised our alphabet songs, our number songs, our shapes, our knowledge acquired from the past few months of school. Good job Angelfish! Continue to grow, continue to be curious every moment! We ended our Dec school days with a Cookie Decorating Session.
Do visit the section tabs of our class website on 'VISUAL BLOG' and 'VIDEOS' ... you will learn more about your child has been up to in school!!
~ Always thinking of their best interests ~
Ms Lingle, Ms Rumana, and Ms Shama
~ Always thinking of their best interests ~
Ms Lingle, Ms Rumana, and Ms Shama