Primary Newsletter – April 30, 2020
Learning Packs
Parents of the grades listed below are welcome to come to school between 9 – 10 am next Monday 4th May to collect new Learning Packs for their children. Parents should drive to the courtyard from the north car park end, stop at the courtyard to return any school resources that need to be returned and collect a new pack. Parents coming after 10:00 am can collect their child’s Learning Pack from the Security Office at the front gate. There is also a drop box at security to return library books and readers.
Classes with new packs on Monday are Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, & Grade 4.
Classes without new packs on Monday as the teachers have provided enough resources for another two weeks of learning in the previous packs or the students complete all learning with online resources are Preschool & Grade 5.
Parent Feedback in Distance Learning at Bis (Survey No 3)
Parents are asked to complete the Parent Feedback in Distance Learning at BIS (Survey No 3) to provide us with feedback about your child’s distance learning experience this week. Please complete this by Monday, May 4. Please remember to regularly access our Distance Learning at BIS website which has great advice, expectations and resources for students, parents, and teachers.
Preschool ‘Outside Day’
Every Wednesday at Preschool is Outside Day. Yes, that means we take our learning outside and explore the world around us. The children have enjoyed their surroundings with a focus on math; going on number hunts, sorting according to natural attributes, and seeing the art and symmetry in nature. Children have also been practicing mindfulness; finding quiet spots to listen to noises near and far, relaxing and enjoying the moment, and trying out some yoga poses. The children explored forces during outdoor learning testing out forces on different surfaces using balls, bikes, and other toys. Children even engaged in a game of hopscotch and skittles. I think that’s why it’s called Wonderful Wednesday.
Siska Paramita & Suellen Fuller – Preschool Teachers.
Kindergarten Inquiring into Earth’s Cycles
Throughout the past month Kindy students have been looking at how the Earth’s natural cycles affect their lives. They have explored the movement of the sun, moon, and earth, and have connected it to daily, monthly and yearly changes they experience. As a math inquiry, the students made sundials and were able to connect their observations of the sun’s shadows to the time on a clock and the routines they follow throughout the day.
Alyshia Kitchen – Kindergarten Teacher.
Grade 2 Inquiring into Energy
In our inquiry of How the World Works, Grade 2 investigated how energy is converted from one form or another and how it can be used in various ways. We discovered different forms of energy and how they can be used and how energy is transferred in an electric circuit.
Flipping a light switch. Plugging in a toaster. Charging a computer or iPad. These are all second nature for most of us. Electricity makes our lives easier. However, we need to be cautious and keep safety in mind. Therefore, the inquiry process that started with grade 2s questioning about electricity safety. They researched about electricity safety and created posters about the safe use of electricity:
The next step was an inquiry into the Scientific Method: Observation, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data Collection, Conclusion. We were finally ready for what everyone was waiting for: The Electric Circuit Experiment – Does Electricity Flow Through Some Things and not Through Others? The mini physicians asked their questions, made observations, hypothesized (guessed the outcome of their experiment), collected data, and concluded. Grade 2s discovered that electricity passes through metal objects (conductors) and does not pass through plastic, wood, rubber, paper, dad’s ear (insulators).
Alice Guzowski – Grade 2 Teacher.
Grade 5 Bahasa Indonesia A – Occupations
Grade 5 students have been working on their standalone unit with a focus on occupations. Using Quizlet, videos, and home environment, they have been developing their vocabulary connected to occupations. They have also been improving their interview skills using more formal language whilst interviewing one of their family members about his/her job. Here are some examples of students’ work.
Kristina Hutapea – Bahasa Indonesia A and Indonesian Studies Teacher
Grade 3 Bahasa Indonesia B – Animals & Habitats
As part of our ‘Sharing the Planet’ unit, students in grade 3 Bahasa Indonesia B have been inquiring into Animals and their Habitats. Students use online resources; languages Indonesian online and Quizlet to practice their vocabulary. They also strengthen their reading skills by reading simple books and teacher-selected text. Here are examples of student’s work.
Kadek Ayu Martina – Bahasa Indonesia B and Indonesian Studies Teacher