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 

Me yega o, Buenos Dias, 안녕;Annyeong, Hej, Merhaba, Привет; Privet,

all are Spring greetings from Ants. We thought Winter was gone, but we surprisingly enjoyed playing in the snow the 4th week of March. Seasonal changes can’t stop the Ants. Consequently, they proudly talked about their home and their world, displaying their continents and nation's specialties, while appreciating their peers’ uniqueness. They are getting to associate more with others in the playground.

They are also getting more acquainted with phonemes and stories they read and act. They can’t wait to display their creativity at the coming Hats parade.

From Ants

Ms. Ogomoditse & Ms. Özge: Preschool 2

Butterflies are enjoying spring already. We read Handa’s surprise and discussed the different animals that ate the fruits and also talked about the different fruits. We made Handa’s basket and filled it with fruits and it was fun. We also tried to make reflections of each other’s faces. We are working on our cutting skills and making different shapes like pentagons etc. We are still writing and tracing our names. We worked together with parents on a Big wide world project and everyone participated beautifully, and was able to share about their project. In Phonics we are doing the sounds s,a,t,p,I,n,m. 

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

We have had a great month playing in the snow and the sunshine! We made snow people, we collected melting snow, we made snowballs and we looked for icicles!  We understand the importance of dressing warmly and we have thought about waterproof materials and why they are important! 

We have been combining two groups to make totals and looking at different ways to represent numbers.  We have been comparing sizes and building towers to show the tallest, longest, smallest and shortest.  

We have been learning about animals and looking at different features of animals such as feathers, scales and fur and why they are important.  We have looked at how to keep animals safe and the damage of littering.  We have learnt about Charles Darwin and tried to draw pictures of animals. 

We have finished learning any new sounds in phonics! We are now moving on to more complex words and sentences!

Mr. Khan & Ms. Sena: 1K

As we approach the end of March, I wanted to take a moment to share the exciting progress the children have made throughout this month. It’s been a time of exploration, creativity, and lots of fun!

In Literacy, the children have been learning about a range of cultural festivals, including Holi, Ramadan, and Nowruz. Through reading stories connected to these celebrations and creating fact files, the children have gained a deeper understanding of the traditions behind each festival. A real highlight was when we brought the story of Holi to life by celebrating with a fun colored powder throw in the KS1 pen – the children had a fantastic time! Now, they are in the process of planning and creating their own cultural festival-themed stories, complete with unique characters, settings, and exciting plotlines. It’s been wonderful to see their creativity shine through.

In Maths, the focus has been on measuring weights and capacities. The children enjoyed hands-on experiments, filling various jugs and containers with water. They learned how different shapes and sizes of containers – whether tall and thin or wide and short – affect how much water they can hold. We also explored the best tools for measuring, using items like centimeter rulers, meter sticks, and flexible measuring tapes to measure objects of all sizes around the classroom. It was a fun and engaging way for the children to practice their skills.

To wrap up the month, we introduced Turkish currency. The children have been learning about different notes and coins, exploring the biggest and smallest amounts, and gaining a basic understanding of money.

The children have been working incredibly hard and showing a lot of enthusiasm, and it’s been a joy to see them grow in both their learning and their confidence. We’re all looking forward to the half-term break, where the children can relax and recharge before the next chapter of their learning journey.

Thank you for your continued support, and we hope you all enjoy a restful and enjoyable break!

Warmest regards,

Mr Khan

Ms. Belen & Ms. Sena: 1G

Dear Parents,

March has been an exceptionally lively month in our classroom as we celebrated cultural diversity by intertwining it with core subjects such as Literacy. It has been wonderful to witness the children engaged in many activities that not only enlightened them about different cultures but also enhanced their skills in these essential subjects.

Throughout the month, we explored Nowruz, Holi, and Ramadan through an array of children's books and stories. The children enjoyed identifying key elements such as characters, settings, and plot lines, which inspired them to create their story characters and settings. We are now developing our own stories employing adjectives and vivid descriptions to delineate the beginning, middle, and end.

Our celebrations included a delightful array of activities! For Holi, the children joyfully played with colourful powder and crafted beautiful Rangoli patterns, immersing themselves in the spirit of this festival. During our Nowruz festivities, we were fortunate to have an interactive presentation from a teacher with a Persian background, complemented by the delightful taste of traditional Persian sweets. Finally, we shared the experience of tasting Ramadan Pide, a special bread consumed during Iftar. These interactive experiences have not only been enjoyable but have also deeply enriched the children’s understanding of these diverse cultural practices.

In Mathematics, we commenced an exciting topic on measuring, focusing specifically on mass, capacity, and length. The children have been using scales, measuring cups, rulers, and meter sticks, thoroughly enjoying the hands-on approach with various interactive materials. Additionally, we have introduced the topic of money, where they are learning about the Turkish currency, the Turkish Lira. They have been exploring different notes and coins, gaining insights into the largest and smallest amounts, and developing a foundational understanding of money.

As we continue through the year, I encourage you to engage your child in conversations about these topics at home. Sharing experiences related to cultural celebrations and practical applications of mathematics can significantly reinforce their learning.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our activities! We wish you a restful break so that we can continue our learning journey in the months ahead!

Warm regards,

Miss Belen

Ms. Verralls & Ms. Neslihan: 2V

Well done to all the students in 2V for putting on an excellent assembly. Throughout our Stone Age topic the children worked really hard.The children told the story of The Stone Age boy and edited it to relate to 2025 and their class. They made many props from a cave, to guitars all from recycling materials. They learned songs and dances and had a lot of energy and fun practicing them. We had excellent readers who told the story, plus children who had to act in roles using expression and body language. We used body movement with music, which involved following a leader and copying the dance moves, to moving in one position to the rhythm. All the students had to learn words and when to speak. They should all be very proud of their work. 

Ms. Smith & Ms. Neslihan: 2S

This term, 2S has been diving into Mastery Maths, focusing on multiplication and division. We've used a variety of manipulatives to deepen our understanding, and it's been wonderful to see the children’s confidence grow.

In English, we’ve explored our imaginations by writing our own portal stories inspired by The Stone Age Boy. The children truly amazed me with their creativity! We also had a grammatical focus on adverbial phrases and similes, which brought their stories to life.

For Science, we’ve been learning about the forces all around us. Through many fun and engaging experiments, the children have developed a solid understanding of how forces work in our everyday lives.

In the Humanities, we studied important people from history. The highlight of our learning was the incredible shoebox museum project. Each student chose an inspiring figure from their own country and presented their stories creatively. I was blown away by the dedication and hard work that went into these projects.

It’s been a fantastic term, and I couldn’t be prouder of all the amazing learning and growth I’ve seen. I’m looking forward to another exciting term ahead!

Miss Smith

Ms. Robbins & Ms. Neslihan: 3R

In our Humanities sessions, we have been diving into the fascinating world of Ancient Egypt. The students have been exploring what life was like for everyday Egyptians: what they ate, how they farmed, and the games they played. To bring this history alive, each child created a clay model of a traditional Egyptian home made from mud.

In Science, we've been uncovering the science behind shadows. The students are preparing to create their very own shadow puppet shows. If you have any old sheets or materials at home that could be used for puppets, please feel free to send them in. Your support in making this project a success is greatly appreciated!

Design Technology lessons have been a real hit. Students had the opportunity to make their own dips, showcasing their culinary skills and creativity. The classroom was filled with delightful flavours as they presented their creations to one another. It was heartwarming to witness their pride and enthusiasm in sharing their dips, and it certainly made for a delicious experience!

Mr. Bridgland & Ms. Neslihan: 3B

This month in 3B we've been revisiting some topics from earlier in the year in Maths, and using what we've already learned to build upon and explore further. We've started adventure writing in Literacy and begun a fascinating new unit on rainforests - our students have really grabbed ahold of this last one and produced some beautiful work. We spent a few lessons researching the layers of the rainforest and creating a huge display packed with beautiful artwork and intriguing information. We're very proud of what we came up with. 

Mr. Bridgland

Ms. Caldwell & Ms. Ödül: 4C

What an exciting and eventful month it has been in 4C! The children have been engaged in a variety of fun and educational activities, and we are delighted to share their fantastic learning experiences with you.

World Book Day
This month, we celebrated World Book Day in true style! The children showcased their creativity by dressing up as book characters or even embodying a word. The effort put into the costumes was outstanding—well done to 4C and their supportive adults! 

Additionally, we had a wonderful time creating dragon puppets (which we used for a future lesson) and listening to snippets from the books the children brought in, making it a truly fun-filled and enriching day.

Literacy
Active spelling remains a firm favourite in 4C! The children have been reinforcing their spelling words in engaging ways using tiles, magnetic boards, and even playdough, following their written jotter tasks.

Our current book study is How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell. The children have been enthusiastically summarising what they have read in creative ways, including acting out scenes with the dragon puppets they made for World Book Day. They have also designed their own dragons, created a detailed character profile for Hiccup, and created their own Viking heroes, which they come to life through AI-generated images!

Science
We have launched our new topic on Materials with an inquiry-based approach. The children initially sorted various materials using their own criteria, which led to fantastic discussions and innovative ways of grouping objects. Following this, they then were given more guidance to sort the objects into solids, liquids, and gases and created stunning scientific posters to display their understanding.

As part of our learning, the children have explored how particles move differently in various states and how temperature affects these movements. They also investigated some solids that behave like liquids and conducted experiments to observe how solids can change state. 

Celebrating Other Cultures
This month, we had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate different cultures within our school community. We experienced the vibrancy of Holi with a fun colour festival and learned about Nowruz through a special visit from Ms. Sarah, who taught us traditional Persian dance, and taught us how to write in Persian. These celebrations provided a meaningful way for the children to learn about and appreciate different traditions, and the children enjoyed the Persian snacks! 

Topkapi Research Projects
The children have been working incredibly hard on their collaborative research projects on the Topkapi Palace. They have produced some outstanding presentations and impressive models, demonstrating their creativity, research, and teamwork skills.

Class Trip
We were fortunate enough to go on an exciting trip this month, where the children created sand volcanoes! This linked wonderfully with both our previous and current science topics, allowing us to discuss chemical reactions and the safety measures required during scientific investigations.

Mrs. Deufel & Ms. Ödül: 4D

We have had another busy month.

In English the focus has been on developing our reading comprehension skills. In mathematics we learned about equivalent fractions and then looked at percentages.

In science we started the next unit on solids, liquids and gases. The students began this unit by sorting picture cards into three groups and they could choose which groups. There were many interesting suggestions and it was great to hear the students discussing with each other. The students went around the school grounds, looking for and recording different types of materials. In class we experimented with salt, sugar, flour and sand to answer the question: can solids behave like liquids? 

Our humanities project based unit is almost at its end. The students are working hard on their presentations.

The highlight of the month was the long-awaited, postponed trip to the beach. After a week of beautiful, warm weather, March 18th dawned wet and grey, even snowing before we left school. However, we had a good time. We managed to find a protected area to sit and have lunch first. It was cold and windy on the beach but the students managed to build small volcanoes and watch them erupt. They were glad of the hot chocolate afterwards. 

Ms. Halabi & Mr. Ishak: 5H

Students in 5H have been diving into exciting learning adventures! In Maths, we have been exploring 3D shapes, investigating their nets and drawing them on isometric paper to understand their structure. In Science, we experimented with sound, using strings and tubes to discover that vibrations travel more effectively through solids than air. In English, we have been reading Varjak Paw, an exciting story about a Mesopotamian Blue cat who embarks on a daring journey. As we follow Varjak’s adventures, we have been bringing key moments to life through drama, using freeze frames to capture the emotions and actions of the different characters. Our Art lessons have been all about creating eye-catching optical illusions, with our latest project focusing on foreshortening—a technique that makes parts of the body appear larger, adding depth and drama. Fantastic work, Year 5H! 

Ms. Gillett & Mr. Ishak: 5G

Over the past few weeks, 5G has been working on an exciting environmental project to make our school more eco-friendly! We started with an environmental audit, where students investigated energy use, waste and recycling and water conservation around the school. Using their findings, they designed eye-catching posters to encourage positive environmental actions, such as switching off lights, recycling properly and saving water. We are preparing to make a change in the school in the lead-up to World Earth Day, which we will celebrate on 25th April. Our goal is to inspire everyone to take action and help protect our planet! 

Ms. Jama & Mr. Furkan: 6J

This month was World Book Day where we dressed as a character or a word. As well as reading, we enjoyed puzzles and posters and quizzes related to books. We built a soundscape for the setting of a mystery story. The children created sounds, smells and textures; their peers then took turns to walk through “the old abandoned house”. Another highlight of the day was reading with Class 2S and sharing letters and pictures with each other afterwards. 6J are particularly good writers; each week we learn how to incorporate new punctuation or grammar into our writing. This makes the pieces more interesting for the reader and the children love it when they successfully incorporate the new feature in their writing. Even their homework encourages them to use the feature and some children have really embraced this way of writing and identifying all the features. 

Mr. McCann & Mr. Furkan: 6M

Recently, 6M have been learning about reversible and irreversible changes. In this lesson, we were looking at what happens when bicarbonate of soda is added to white vinegar. We observed that there was a reaction and a gas was released. We hypothesised that it was Carbon Dioxide and tested our hypothesis by releasing it on to a naked flame. The flame was extinguished by our gas product, which supports our hypothesis. 

Ms. Sarah: KS1 ESL

In our ESL class, we’ve been working on expanding our vocabulary and strengthening our grammar skills. Right now, we’re focusing on storytelling and story writing, helping students develop their reading and writing abilities in a fun and creative way. We’ve also been enjoying interactive ESL games like bingo, matching games, and other engaging activities that make learning exciting. It’s been wonderful to see the students grow in confidence and language skills! 

Mrs. Gwilliam: KS2 ESL

Collaboration and competition play an important role in our learning and were important themes in March. In the pictures our elementary group enjoyed a vocabulary game. Year 4 intermediates worked very well together, sharing ideas and collaborating in writing questions in the past for some traditional tales. They were proud of the results, as were the year 5 intermediates. All the ESL students were interested to read each other’s questions and see how many they could answer. Year 3 intermediates wanted to show their writing because they are making good progress and remembering to use the past tenses. 

Ms. Hatice: Turkish

Merhabalar!

Year 1 - Year 2: Students learned the names of some animals in Turkish. They practiced answering the question "Nerede?" with examples like "Kedi nerede?" Additionally, they learned opposite words and described animals using adjectives. While learning about prepositions, they practiced using words like önünde (in front), altında (under), arkasında (behind), yanında (next to) in the classroom as answers to the "Nerede?" question.

Year 3: Students learned the names of family members in Turkish. While learning about family members, they practiced by playing the game "Kim o?" (Who is that?). They also learned the names of some animals.

Year 4: This month, students learned how to ask and answer the question "Ne yapıyorsun?" (What are you doing?). They practiced using the present tense to form sentences, such as "Ben müzik dinliyorum" ("I'm listening to music"). 

Year 5: This month, students learned the Turkish names of different transportation vehicles. They practiced asking and giving information about transportation, discussing how people use various modes of transport. Additionally, students focused on understanding simple tenses and short oral texts related to transportation. 

Year 6: This month, Year 6 students practiced asking and answering questions related to daily routines, such as "What does she/he do at/after school?" They also learned how to ask "How much?" and "How many?" to talk about quantities and prices. In addition to language skills, students explored Turkish culture by learning about the Kız Kulesi (Maiden's Tower). They gained information about this historical landmark and did a sketching activity of the tower as part of their art project.

Güle güle!

Mr. Vincent: French

Bonjour à toutes et à tous!

This month, selected students from Y5 and Y6 sat the Delf exam in the French Embassy. The students did very well and we are waiting now for the results. Congratulations to all the students for working so hard throughout the Spring term.

In Y6, the students designed their dream houses, labelled it and wrote a descriptive paragraph.

Y5 students designed their own daily routines in their French books.

Y4 students performed a dialogue in class, between a customer, a doctor and a secretary.

Y3 students worked on the wild animals. They will locate animals on a world map. They also practiced a French song called Les cités d’Or.

Au revoir et à bientôt

Monsieur Vincent

Ms. Ana: Spanish

Hola amig@s

In Y3, students are learning about farm animals and pets. We are also learning the animals' songs alongside games and speaking activities. 

In Y4, students are learning about fruits and snacks. They are asking and giving information about favorite snacks and fruits. 

In Y5, students are learning about daily routine activities. They are focusing on designing their own daily activities in Spanish. 

In Y6, students are learning about weather types. They are focusing on weather descriptions and group talks to foster their speaking skills. 

Hasta la vista, 

Miss Ana

Ms. Lincoln

So many photos of our students doing all sorts of lovely things outside.

Year 5 have worked so hard on their mud painting on cloth. They turned out brilliantly. Year 6 have been sowing seeds, Year 3 made pea teepees for snap peas to grow up. Year 2 have studied mini beasts and then made fantastic little clay creatures. In addition, Year 1 has learnt the importance of deadheading flowering plants to help new ones to grow. Another successful month in OWL. 

Miss Lizzie

Ms. Rebecca: EYFS Music & KS1 Drama

EYFS Music students have been learning another welcoming song, Hey Dumba, and practicing singing scales. As well they are learning new finger poems and dancing songs. 

KS1 Drama students are preparing for a show at the end of April, Where’s Mowgli?, and they are very excited to present their rendition of The Jungle Book. Also, they learned a new drama game called Rock Paper Scissors!

KS2 Choir has selected new songs for the Summer Fete and has started rehearsing the past two weeks. See you all again next term!

Mr. Dennison: Y1-Y6 Music

Mr. Hassan

Year 1: Students practiced typing with the ABCYA Keyboard Challenge game and completed written worksheets to reinforce key location skills.

Year 2: Students learned to add tables in Microsoft Word and discussed input and output systems, organizing them into a structured table.

Year 3: Students created a functional game in Scratch that displayed a "Game Over" banner, enhancing their coding logic.

Year 4: Students completed Google Slides projects integrated with their science topic, creating presentations on the types of matter.

Year 5: Students learned custom formatting in Google Sheets, using colors to enhance data visualization and organization.

Year 6: Students completed Scratch with a summative project, developing fully functional games with animations and scoring systems. 

Ms. Jess and Mrs. Bartola

Fun With Maths at Home 

Maths is fun, and one of the best ways to develop maths skills is by using them in everyday life! Here are some ideas you can try at home.

EYFS 

At this age, children are naturally curious and learn best through play and real-life experiences. 

Count while tidying up: Let’s put 5 blocks back in the box, are you ready? 1, 2, 3… This builds number recognition and helps children understand quantity in a real context.

Explore shapes during meals and play: Your sandwich is a triangle! or This plate is a circle. Over time, they’ll start noticing shapes everywhere.

Use simple comparisons: Which apple is bigger? or Can you find something longer than this spoon? This helps develop early problem-solving and vocabulary.

KS1 

Students at this age are developing their understanding of numbers, measurement, and problem-solving. 

Involve your child in cooking:Can you measure one cup of flour? or Let’s count out 6 strawberries together.This helps build their understanding of quantity, units, and following steps in order.

Spot numbers during errands: Let’s find the number 10 on a door or Can you spot a number bigger than 50? These games build number recognition and comparison skills in a fun way. 

Use money play at home or in shops: You have 20 tl, what can you buy? or How much more do you need to buy this for 50 tl? This helps them begin to understand value, addition, and making choices based on amounts.

KS2 

Children in Key Stage 2 are developing more complex maths skills, such as multiplication, division, time, and fractions. Applying these skills to real-life situations helps make learning meaningful and enjoyable.

Estimate and calculate during shopping: If we buy 3 items that cost 54 tl each, how much is that? or We have 750 tl, will that be enough? This strengthens their ability to estimate, add, and multiply, all while showing them how maths is used in everyday decision-making.

Talk about time: Dinner is at 6:00. How long until then? or We need to leave in 20 minutes, what time will that be? These moments help children practise telling the time and working with time intervals.

Explore patterns and fractions in recipes or setting the table: If there are 6 people and 12 slices of bread, how many does each person get? or What pattern can we make with the cutlery?

Badminton is a pleasant and developmental activity for primary school students. Students that are engaged in this activity can achieve various personal goals over time. Our students who began playing badminton quickly learned basic abilities including handling a racquet, serving, and spiking. The improvement of these talents boosted the student's self-esteem and fueled their enthusiasm for athletics. This term, they made considerable improvement in badminton, improving both their athletic abilities and personal development.

Ms. Mevsim