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Husky Herald - December 2010
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A CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PUBLICATIONDECEMBER, 2010
Husky Herald
GHOSTS AND GOBLINS AT CIS
PAGE 3
CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS AT TK
PAGE 10
DRAMA IN ISTANBULPAGE 30
THE WAYFINDERS ROCK SINGAPORE
PAGE 13
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
2
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
CISHuskyHerald-December20104
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
CISHuskyHerald-December2010 5
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
CISHuskyHerald-December20106
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!
CISHuskyHerald-December2010 7
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.
CISHuskyHerald-December201010
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
CISHuskyHerald-December2010 11
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
CISHuskyHerald-December201012
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
CISHuskyHerald-December2010 13
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
CISHuskyHerald-December201014
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
CISHuskyHerald-December2010 15
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.
CISHuskyHerald-December201018
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
CISHuskyHerald-December2010 19
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
CISHuskyHerald-December201020
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!
CISHuskyHerald-December2010 21
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
CISHuskyHerald-December201022
“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
CISHuskyHerald-December2010 23
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)
CISHuskyHerald-December201026
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
CISHuskyHerald-December2010 27
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
CISHuskyHerald-December201028
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.
CISHuskyHerald-December2010 29
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.
CISHuskyHerald-December201030
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
CISHuskyHerald-December2010 31
WeclimbedGalatatowerandvisitedtheDolmabahcePalace.WeviewedthetreasuresoftheOttomansintheTopkapiPalacemuseumandtookastunningsunsetcruiseontheBosphorus-prettyamazingforamid-semesterbreak.
ThepurposeofourtripwastheISTAfestivalandthis
consumedmostofthelastthreedaysofthetrip.StudentsquicklybrokeoffintoensemblegroupswithstudentsfromotherschoolslocatedinTurkey,Dubai,QatarandGermany.Theyworkedtogetherovertheweekendtoproduceastunningtheatrepiecepresentedto
parentsandsupportersonSunday.
Overthecourseoftheweekend,thestudentsworkedwithrenownedtheatreeducatorsandprofessionalsfromtheUKandCanadaanddevelopedskillstohelpthemwiththeirloveofperforming.
ISTAparticipantstakeenormousrisksoverthecourseofafestival.Theydiveheadfirstintoimprovworkanddanceandmovementworkshops.Theyspendfourdayslivingwithcompletestrangersfromaforeignculture.Itneverceasesto
amazemehowcomfortableourstudentsareinadaptingtonewsituations!
Ourstudentsforgedfriendshipsthatwilllastalongtime,rekindledtheirpassionforactingandtheatre,andfellinlovewiththewondrouscityofIstanbul.
PhotosbyMarkPatton.
CISHuskyHerald-December201034
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]