Ms. Lynne

BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Forest Campus

KINDNESS CHALLENGE FEB 2025

Random acts of kindness week 

:)

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qhbZfRvhgmRi3DibW62MYNjdUMEuWYlHKtj1yaB_Smg/edit?usp=sharing

Ms. Elise & Ms. Tuğba: Preschool 1 

February was a fantastic and unique opportunity to celebrate our nations and cultures. We wore traditional clothes, ate food from all around the world, we learnt about flags from our home countries and our friend’s countries.  We danced, read stories , exchanged greetings, songs and games  from our countries, thus expanding our understanding of oneness, differences and acts of kindness. Thank you Daddy and Mummy for your constant support.

We have had so much fun playing in the snow!  Thinking about why and how snow melts.  We  had snowball fights and built mini snowmen. We’ve explored more shapes outdoors and we have played more phonics games and learned more alliterations. 

Proudly Ants

Ms. Ogomoditse & Ms. Özge: Preschool 2

It was a wonderful month for the butterflies. We celebrated lunar New Year in our class and also celebrated our different continents and communities in style. We made beads from Africa, had Korean snack and Columbian snacks. In math’s we talked about number and 5 using a rhyme 5 little speckled frogs. In phonics we did the sound t and p. We are still learning how to write our names. 

Ms. Lauren & Ms. Melike & Ms. Ayşegül : Reception

February gave us an opportunity to celebrate our home countries for most of the month!  We wore traditional clothes, ate food from all around the world, we learnt about flags from our home countries and our friend’s countries.  We have danced, read stories and sung songs - it was truly wonderful and we are very thankful for our wonderful parents and their support!

We have had so much fun playing in the snow!  We have collected water from the melted snow and carried it to our water table to play with water!  We have thought about why and how snow melts.  We have had snowball fights and built mini snow people!  

We have had fun with phonics games and maths games outside.

Mr. Khan & Ms. Sena: 1K

In Maths, we revisited 3D shapes, expanding our vocabulary with terms like edges, vertices, and faces. We also explored how rotating objects can change their appearance while their properties remain the same. Additionally, we began our journey into fractions by identifying and dividing objects into halves - a fundamental skill that will soon help us find halves of quantities.

Our Literacy lessons took us into the magical world of Traditional Tales, where we explored the connections between stories, culture, and identity. This theme aligned perfectly with our Lunar New Year celebrations, and we were thrilled to welcome parents who shared their traditions with us. We also worked on expanding our descriptive language by brainstorming words related to happiness, which inspired us to write acrostic poems using rich vocabulary and rhythmic patterns.

Creativity was at the heart of our learning as we embraced seasonal art projects, partaking in a fun, eco-friendly activity - building a snowman from recycled materials! This hands-on experience not only sparked imagination but also reinforced the importance of sustainability.

In our exploration of the world in Humanities, we deepened our understanding of Earth’s continents and oceans. Through interactive activities and discussions, the children gained a broader perspective of our planet’s diversity and geography.

As we step into March, we look forward to more exciting projects and interactive learning experiences. Thank you for your continued support in making our classroom a vibrant and enriching space for our students!

Ms. Belen & Ms. Sena: 1G

February has been an exciting and enriching month with hands-on learning and exploration across all subjects. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to!

This month, we revised our geometrical knowledge, introducing new key vocabulary to describe 3D shapes, including edges, vertices, and faces. We also explored how rotation affects the perception of objects, reinforcing the idea that while their position may change, their characteristics remain the same. Additionally, we started revising the concept of fractions, by exploring halves by dividing objects, which will later help us understand how to find halves of quantities.

In Literacy, we immersed ourselves in Traditional Tales, connecting these stories to culture and identity. This theme beautifully coincided with the Lunar New Year, and we were delighted to welcome parents into our classrooms to share their traditions with us.  We also expanded our vocabulary by creating mind maps of words related to happiness, which helped us craft acrostic poems using our prior knowledge of synonyms and rhythm.
Our creativity flourished as we worked on seasonal art, culminating in a fun and sustainable project, building a snowman out of recycled materials! The students loved bringing their ideas to life while learning about the importance of reusing materials.

We deepened our understanding of planet Earth, its continents, and its vast oceans. Through interactive activities and discussions, students developed a greater appreciation for our planet’s diversity and geography. We also had extension work focusing on diversity and how food represents our cultural background, we invited parents to share traditional food from their countries.

Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in our school community!

Ms. Verralls & Ms. Neslihan: 2V

2V have been very excited about the snow in Istanbul. We constructed snow people. We also painted with snow and completed a science experiment. The snow has been a good resource to use for our lessons this week. 

Ms. Smith & Ms. Neslihan: 2S

This term, Year 2 students have been busy working hard and having fun! We’ve been using the Talk for Writing approach to explore and create our very own stories inspired by the Stone Age. The creativity and imagination from the students have been amazing!

We also had a thrilling Prehistoric Week, filled with exciting activities and learning, and a memorable school trip to the Aquarium, where we had an amazing time learning about what lies below the surface. 

In Maths, we’ve been diving into statistics, exploring the world of graphs and charts – a fun and interactive way to understand data!

A big highlight of the term was our class assembly. We worked hard rehearsing and performing, and we were so proud to dazzle everyone with our performance.

I am incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication shown by all the Year 2 students this term. Keep up the amazing work!

From,
Miss Smith

Ms. Robbins & Ms. Neslihan: 3R

Over the past few weeks, the students have embarked on an engaging journey of discovery as they explored their own personal family histories. This unit has not only encouraged them to delve into their backgrounds but has also fostered important skills in research and presentation.

The children conducted interviews with family members, gathering fascinating details about their heritage that they were eager to share. Each student created an impressive presentation that included a family tree diagram and a poster illustrating their unique family stories. It was truly heartwarming to see them connect with their roots and express their findings creatively.

One of the highlights of this project was the opportunity for students to orally present their work in front of their classmates. This experience allowed them to practice their speaking skills, build confidence, and engage in a dynamic question-and-answer session afterwards. The children exhibited great enthusiasm and respect for one another’s stories, which made for an enriching classroom environment.

Mr. Bridgland & Ms. Neslihan: 3B

This month at BISI has been much at the mercy of the weather, but in 3B we’ve managed to keep things lively and interesting regardless! We revisited addition and subtraction in Maths, and explored letter writing in Literacy. We created some intriguing life-cycles for some fantastical creatures in Science, and our unit on Family History in Humanities concluded with some incredible family tree displays that our students created at home. I was blown away by the thought and imagination that went into these, and I’m very proud! 

Mr. Bridgland

Ms. Caldwell & Ms. Ödül: 4C

PSHE: 4C have explored the importance of mental health and the value of encouraging others. As part of this, they contributed to a whole-school display by creating an "encouragement feather," focusing on positive affirmations and the power of yet. This activity aimed to develop a growth mindset, helping students to persevere when faced with challenges.

IDEA: Our learning focused on the significance of communities, including global, school, and family communities. Students engaged in discussions about the connections we share with others and the role of key resources, such as rice, in cultures worldwide. As part of this, they illustrated famous rice dishes from their own countries or their personal favourites.

Topic: In our hands-on experiment, students explored how to create artificial snow, fostering curiosity and teamwork. They then worked collaboratively to design and construct large decorative snowflakes. Our classroom was transformed into an Arctic and Antarctic-themed environment, with stunning displays showcasing the students' creativity. Additionally, we investigated how igloos provide insulation and warmth, applying problem-solving skills to construct sturdy igloo models, and did the blubber test to understand how artic animals survive the cold temperatures. 

Science: We continued our studies on Earth and natural disasters, with a special focus on volcanoes. We were fortunate to receive insights from Year 5 students (5H), who kindly shared their knowledge and learning experiences, enriching our understanding of this topic.

Mathematics: After successfully completing an in-depth unit on division, students began their journey into fractions. They developed their mathematical vocabulary through interactive flipchart booklets, engaged in ‘Fraction Wars’ games (Faction Fraction), and explored various representations of fractions. Activities included placing fractions on a number line, and deepening their understanding of fractions as numerical values.

English: Our literacy lessons have been centered on nonfiction texts, examining their structures and distinguishing them from fiction. Students analysed a variety of nonfiction writing formats, including brochures, newspapers, diaries, and explanation texts, before creating their own original pieces based on their learning.

Art: Inspired by the artist Daren Wakelam, students planned and designed their own three-dimensional Arctic-themed artwork. This project allowed them to apply their artistic skills creatively while further developing their understanding of sculpture and form. 

Mrs. Deufel & Ms. Ödül: 4D

In English our focus has been on non-fiction writing. We looked at diary entries with the children writing their own. We are finishing off this unit now studying non chronological reports. 

In maths we started our unit on fractions. To kick off the unit, the students made posters showing what they know about fractions. 

We are coming to the end of our global geography unit on the polar regions and a lot of fun was had building igloos from sugar cubes. The assembly was much quicker after we started using the glue gun. The children added details around their igloos, a pool of water, a small fire with fish cooking and, of course, lots of snow. 

We finished our science unit by investigating earthquakes and volcanoes. We are looking forward to going to the beach to build volcanoes next month when the weather improves. 

Mid-February we had a spontaneous ‘snow’ day after a few flakes fell on the playground.

Ms. Halabi & Mr. Ishak: 5H

Students in 5H recently delivered a wonderful class assembly, performing a creative mix of fairytales. They thoroughly enjoyed acting and grew in confidence as they brought their characters to life. It was fantastic to see their enthusiasm and storytelling skills shine on stage!

In Humanities, we have been working on an exciting art project, creating African masks as part of our study of Nigeria. The children designed their own masks, incorporating bold patterns and vibrant colours inspired by traditional styles.

In Science, we have been learning about animal adaptations. Students have designed their own unique animals, carefully considering how they would survive in their habitats. This connects with our English work, as they will be writing an information text about their creations.

We have also enjoyed reading Cloud Tea Monkey, which led to thoughtful discussions on kindness, generosity and perseverance. The story helped us explore themes of family, hardship and how acts of kindness can bring unexpected rewards. 

Ms. Gillett & Mr. Ishak: 5G

We’ve been so busy rehearsing for our upcoming assembly, and the excitement is building! The students have been working hard to bring history, culture and storytelling to life on stage. This performance links to our humanities unit on Nigeria, where we’ve been exploring its diverse landscapes, rich traditions, and important global connections. We can’t wait to share all our learning with you—stay tuned for the big day! 

Ms. Jama & Mr. Furkan: 6J

6J have been applying their geographical learning in Art lessons this term. They each chose some of the coastal features we had learnt about in term one and built them from clay. Following a firing in the kiln, the children brought the beaches, bays, cliffs, caves, stacks and arches to life by painting them with acrylic paints and applying a varnish. It was intricate work which needed children to develop their skills of sculpture, colour and patience to produce the finished pieces. 

Mr. McCann & Mr. Furkan: 6M

Our talented 6M students have been diving into the world of ceramics, crafting beautiful clay coastal plates inspired by the coastal unit. From shaping the plates by hand to decorating them with, in most cases, intricate marine-themed designs, they’ve embraced the creative process with enthusiasm. Using a mix of textures, vibrant colors, each plate tells a unique story of the coast. I think some of them even surprised themselves with the end result! 

Ms. Sarah: KS1 ESL

Welcome back after the snow holiday—hope no one turned into a snowman! ❄️ This month has been full of fun and learning, and we’re excited for more adventures ahead!

This month in EYFS our focus has been on developing strong communication skills. The children are learning to follow instructions, share their ideas confidently, and express themselves using new vocabulary. Through songs and actions, they are making connections between words and meaning, while board games are helping to reinforce their literacy and language development in a fun and engaging way. We continue to encourage polite language, and it’s wonderful to see them using phrases like "May I...?", "Please", and "Thank you." Thank you for your support in nurturing their communication skills at home!

Our elementary ESL group has been building on grammar skills, moving from talking about the present and past to describing future events. We’ve also worked on following instructions and recipes while strengthening our numerical literacy. Our weekly topics are often linked to classroom themes, but we also explore new ideas to expand vocabulary and sentence structure. A big focus has been on forming complete sentences, asking questions, and giving short answers with confidence. It’s been a great month of learning and growth!

Our intermediate ESL group is diving deeper into the English language this month. We’ve been focusing on reading comprehension, crafting well-structured sentences, and refining our grammar skills. Role play has been a key part of our speaking activities, helping students improve their reasoning and communication skills in real-life contexts. Vocabulary development remains a priority, with new words introduced based on both classroom topics and various fun activities we’re doing in class. It’s been an exciting month of expanding language skills and building confidence!

I’m also super happy to share that another student, Nicolas, from our intermediate ESL group has made fantastic progress! He has now graduated from the ESL program, and I’m so proud of him. It’s like watching him transform into a butterfly—his hard work and growth have been truly inspiring!

Mrs. Gwilliam: KS2 ESL

This month Year 5 and 6 intermediates were wondering what to read. They helped each other out by writing book reviews and making a display for some of their favourite books. 

Meanwhile, Year 3 intermediates have worked hard on the past tense and were proud to show their stories about a gorilla who saved a little boy. 

Well done to all ESL Students for your hard work and enthusiasm this month.

Ms. Hatice: Turkish

Merhabalar!

Y1 - Y2 : This month, students continued learning about fruits in Turkish. They practiced asking and answering questions about their fruit preferences and expanded their vocabulary with engaging activities. Additionally, they reinforced their knowledge of colors through interactive games and exercises.

Year 3 : This month, students practiced asking and answering questions about objects, including yes/no questions. They also reinforced their understanding of classroom language by using common phrases such as "Parmak kaldır" (Raise your hand), "Tuvalet lütfen?" (Toilet, please?), and "Yaz, lütfen" (Write, please).

Year 4: Students learned how to ask and answer the question "Nerede?" (Where?). They practiced describing the location of objects and people. Additionally, they were introduced to some common verbs used in daily life.

Year 5: Students learned how to ask for and give directions in Turkish. They practiced asking for locations in town and responding appropriately. Additionally, they learned how to ask and tell the time and engaged in activities related to timetables.

Year 6: Students learned about personal pronouns in Turkish. They practiced using the present continuous tense in positive sentences and reinforced their understanding of verbs. Additionally, they worked on applying personal pronouns with the present continuous tense.

Güle güle!

Mr. Vincent: French

Bonjour à toutes et à tous!

This month we have been performing a speaking exam with Y6s. Each student performed the weather forecast on a chosen country map. It was fun but also a bit challenging as it can be intimidating to perform in front of a class and memorizing your lines at the same time, congratulations to Y6 students!

Y5s, after sitting a French assessment on Time, started to work on daily routines. Y4s, after working on parts of the body and saying where it is hurting, are working on how to give symptoms and remedies from a doctor and a client point of view. In time, Y4s will perform a speaking exam in class, role-playing a dialogue between a doctor and a client. Finally, Y3s are designing a board game using family vocabulary and any of the topics covered so far.

Au revoir et à bientôt,

Monsieur Vincent

Ms. Ana: Spanish

¡Hola amigos y amigas! 

In Y3, students are learning hobbies and interests. They learn how to ask for information about hobbies. 

In Y4, students are working on body parts, aches and pains and remedies. They are learning useful sentences in a real context situation through role-plays and group work. 

In Y5, students are learning about the time. They are focusing on asking and giving information related to time and how to express it correctly. 

In Y6, students are working on parts of the house and its furniture. They are focusing on describing and drawing their houses.

Ms. Lincoln

The month of January and February has seen plenty of action in OWL activities. Year 2 have enjoyed their pre historic project dressed in amazing costume, building fires, dens and in brilliant role-play drama with hunting, cooking and enjoying the outdoors as was done many, many years ago.

Year 4, have been exploring habitats and have created their own mini habitats with so much creativity into making them as realistic as possible.

Year 5 students have continued with mud adventures, building very strong and worthy mud bricks to build a wall with. They are much happier to get muddier than at the start of the project.

And of course, Valentine’s Day was a wonderful way to create hearts, mandalas with natural materials around us.

 Well done to you all.

Miss Lizzie.

Ms. Rebecca: EYFS Music & KS1 Drama

EYFS Music students have been busy learning about different animals, instruments from around the world and learning to sing so fa syllables. 

KS1 Drama students have been busy learning about clowning and creating characters for their shoe puppets. They will need to make a puppet at home to bring to school to use during lessons. They are also learning about Shadow Puppets and will soon start rehearsing for their show! 

KS2 choir will resume after the break and the students are excited to be learning new and old pop songs!

Mr. Dennison: Y1-Y6 Music

Mr. Hassan

Year 1: Students started spelling and typing practice using ABCYA Keys and Carrot, improving their accuracy and familiarity with the keyboard.

Year 2: Students learned font styling and how to insert pictures in Microsoft Word while designing their holiday posters, enhancing creativity.

Year 3: Students explored animations in Scratch, learning how to animate characters and create interactive movement sequences.

Year 4: Students started using Google Accounts and worked on Google Slides, developing skills in creating and presenting digital presentations.

Year 5: Students worked on functions in Google Sheets, using the IF formula to mark grades and automate calculations.

Year 6: Students learned about variables in Scratch and how to add scores to their games, making them more interactive. 

Ms. Jess and Mrs. Bartola

What are the benefits of quality sleep for our children?

Healthy, high-quality sleep is crucial for children's physical, emotional, and cognitive development. 

Recommended Sleep Duration for Children

• Pre School/ EYFS (3–5 years): 10–13 hours (including naps)

• Primary School-age (6–11 years): 9–12 hours

1. Boosts Brain Function and Learning

• Sleep enhances memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.

• It improves learning capacity, helping children absorb and retain new information.

     2. Enhances Social and Behavioral Skills

• Well-rested children tend to be more cooperative, patient, and able to interact positively with peers and adults.

      3. Regulates Emotions and Behavior

• Lack of sleep can lead to mood swings, irritability, and difficulty regulating emotions.

• Proper rest supports emotional resilience and reduces the risk of anxiety.

 Encouraging good sleep habits such as a consistent bedtime routine, limiting screen time before bed, and creating a comfortable sleep environment ensures children get the rest they need to thrive.

February is Children’s Sleep Awareness Month.

 Check out Home - The Sleep Charity for more information. 

Primary Learning Support Team

This month we focused on Collaborative play. Collaborative play is characterized by children participating in organized group games with specific roles and rules. Our students actively collaborated with their peers, communicated, and experienced shared ideas.Students had the chance to experience the concept of inclusion and that everyone belongs no matter what the situation is through the game. 

Ms. Mevsim