PYP

Learning to Spell Together in 1/2 BA

Our Grade One and Two students continue to enjoy the Effective Spelling program each week, during which we explore a spelling “Big Idea”. Students are engaged in “noticing” words in shared picture books, in our classroom and in their own reading. Our activities are often collaborative, and students love to share their ideas and observations about words with each other.

Currently, our “Big Idea” is all about double consonant letter patterns. We read the book, A Proper Little Lady, together on our large classroom screen. Each student recorded the double consonant words they noticed on sticky notes as we read. Students then shared their findings with a partner and worked co-operatively to choose five words with double consonants to write on whiteboards. It was wonderful to see our fantastic students working enthusiastically with each other, excitedly discussing their findings! These words will now be sorted according to the number of syllables they contain, and we will investigate why double consonants are used where we have found them. 

The Effective Spelling program encourages our students to be active readers and writers who notice and wonder about words, and then make thoughtful connections. Plus, it’s also lots of fun to explore words through reading great children’s literature! Parents can support student learning at home by noticing and talking about words as you read together, especially those which are interesting, unusual, similar or unfamiliar. 

Mrs Melanie Alexander

Grade 1/2 Teacher

Recycling and Reusing

In yesterday's Primary Assembly, Mrs Curé spoke to our students about 'action'. Taking 'action', as a response to learning is an important aspect of the Primary Years Program. Over the past year, our Primary students in various grades inquired into recycling and reusing materials and learnt about conservation. Our environmentally conscious students requested we have recycling bins in each classroom.

Mrs Mahoney commended the students on their 'action' and introduced our new classroom recycling bins. The red bins are for general waste, the blue bins are for paper and cardboard, and the yellow bins are for plastic, steel, and glass products. 

The IB PYP Exhibition 2022 (Repeat)

Each year Grade 6 students participate in an in-depth collaborative inquiry which culminates in a public display known as the PYP Exhibition. During the next 5 weeks there will be an intense period of focus and preparation for the Exhibition, although students have actually been developing the skills required for this since the beginning of their PYP journey.

This year the theme of the Exhibition is How the World Works.

We look forward to supporting and encouraging our Grade 6 students through the Exhibition process over the coming weeks.

Melanie Curé

PYP Co-ordinator