Spotlight on Learning 

Eclipse

Eclipse 1

This term, Eclipse 1 explored characterisation through their study of traditional fairy tales and Rowan of Rin. Students developed a deeper understanding of how authors create engaging and memorable characters by investigating character archetypes and familiar tropes, as well as examining characters’ appearance, personality, actions, dialogue, thoughts, relationships, goals and motivations. They examined how authors can draw on familiar character types and conventions while also challenging or adapting them to create more complex and interesting characters.

Students then applied their learning by creating their own unique characters and placing them within the world and context of Rowan of Rin. They carefully developed each character’s traits, archetype, goals and motivations, considering how their character would act, respond and interact with others within the story. Through detailed descriptions, creative ideas and purposeful language choices, students demonstrated an in-depth understanding of characterisation while bringing their original characters to life within the world of Rowan of Rin.

Eclipse 2 

This term in Eclipse 2, we harnessed the awesome power of water - and our brains – in our hydro energy lesson. Combining science and Korean, students made water wheels with instructions given in Korean and discovered the secrets of hydropower (and a few mysteries involving leaks and spinning wheels that spun backwards). There was laughter, some soggy paper, and plenty of scientific discovery as we explored renewable energy and learned how the movement of water can generate electricity. 

Plans were drawn, ideas tested, mistakes made and triumphs celebrated. Some students followed their blueprints to the letter; others tossed their plans aside and invented anew. Through trial, error, and a bit of creative thinking (plus a dash of Korean vocab!), our Eclipse 2 engineers turned splashing water and spinning wheels into success. Although we couldn't power our school with our paper plate water wheels, we still tried really hard to make it happen. Next stop: solar-powered robots, hopefully with fewer puddles!