~ Eliza Pennell
English Teacher
~ Eliza Pennell
English Teacher
Embedded Files
English Teacher
Our school is full of unique and fun places for students to learn and play. But our first grade students haven’t had enough time to get explore the whole campus. Lucky for them, their friendly and clever peers in grade 2 are here to help! In our project Kang Chiao Treasures, we asked the second graders to make fun and informative videos to introduce the best places in school to their young classmates.
Getting Excited about the Project
We started by discussing locations in the school and the activities we can do there. Everyone shared their favorites and worked together to make well-organized mind maps. The second graders got excited to talk about all the best places in school, such as the library, English Village, playground, and Nature Study Area.
Students realized that the school has a lot of fun places to play and learn. In order to introduce all the locations to the first graders, they would need to work on their persuasive speaking skills. They would also need to do some hands-on research to collect photos, videos, and to take notes.
Field Research Adventures
Using our trusty iPads, we visited dozens of locations around the campus to collect data. Our clever second graders transformed into researchers who took hundreds of photos and videos that would help them write their speeches. It was fun, but more importantly, the students learned to see things from another’s perspective. They asked themselves questions like, “What would a first grader like to do here? Would I like this place if I were a first grader? Would they be too scared to visit this place by themselves?” and more.
With our research complete, we returned to the classroom to start writing. The teachers taught students how to use persuasive speaking techniques, such as starting with a question or shocking “hook”, to help them organize their writing. They also learned the difference between a fact an opinion. Students used their research notes and these persuasive writing skills to develop their speeches.
After several focused writing sessions, including group discussions and workshops, each student had their own persuasive and informative speech about their favorite location in the school. They used reasons and examples to support their opinions. At last, we were ready to start making videos!
Quiet on the Set! Lights, Camera, Action!
The project culminated with return visits to the chosen locations on campus. Working together, students presented their speeches on camera. Like live news reporters or travel documentary hosts, the second graders delivered their speeches while walking through the location they chose. This was a great way to both tell and show the audience why those locations are the best places in school.
Later, we played the videos for the first graders. The younger students were thrilled to watch their “big brothers” and “big sisters” introduce the school to them. After all, it can be intimidating for new students to explore our huge campus. How lucky they are to have such caring classmates help them feel welcome at school!
We are proud of our second graders for their hard work. On the next page, you can read some of their speeches and see their photos. You can also scan a QR code to watch some of the most exciting videos they made!
Kang Chiao Treasures
★ Leo Han 韓東諺 207
Do you like to run? Me too. The best place in Kang Chiao is the running track. You can run around there, and no teacher will tell you, “DON’T RUN!!” You can see the red floor, big trees, and dirt beside you. The red floor is bouncy for you to run. The insects will fly or jump around, so you can chase them. Be careful! Don’t fall in the dirt, and if you see the red floor is wet or it’s raining, the track will not be open. You should come here to play!
★ Annabelle Chan 張錦芯 206
Don’t you think the library is the best place in school? I felt happy when I was in grade 1 because I could go to the library. It’s the best place in Kang Chiao International School. You can borrow different cool books. You can borrow 2 Chinese books and 2 English books at a time. You will feel happy and calm there. You can sit by the tree house and read. You can use the iPads to read online books, too. I like to read The Magic Schoolbus because it is very cool. There are lots of things that you can do at the library. You will definitely like it!
★ Ilsa Yeung 楊子筠 208
Come to Kang Chiao’s Nature Area! It is the best place I have ever seen. You can learn many different animals, like ants, butterflies, caterpillars, bees, and spiders. When you go to the Nature Area during sunset you can see a beautiful view. There are purple, orange, yellow, and blue colors in the sky. The Nature Area has a lot of sunshine. If you take a picture, you might see a rainbow in the picture. Now come to the Nature Area to learn and see many things!
★ Samuel Zeng 曾彥潁 205
You need to sit for a very long time during class. Don’t you want a place to get your energy back and have fun? If you keep reading you might know the place I’m talking about. It’s the second floor playground! I think the playground is the best place in Kang Chiao. The first reason is because we can play on the ropes. Second, you can play on the long and fast slide there. Third, you can play on the spinning thing, but you might get dizzy! When I go there I feel so happy. As you can see, the 2F playground is the best place in KCIS.
★ Evita Huang 黃熙芸 204
Don’t you like swimming? Me too! The best place in Kang Chiao is the swimming pool. We can swim there, and we will feel happy. Swimming is fun because the water is warm. You can learn how to do the breaststroke, dog paddle, and kick your legs like a mermaid. You can be strong and you can learn more strokes. We can play water ball games, too. The teacher will let you go to the small pool after class. The teacher is nice because most of her class is play time. I think you will like the swimming pool!
★ Eunice Wu 吳采昀 208
What is your favorite place in Kang Chiao? I will tell you what I think the best place is. It’s the 2nd floor playground because you can exercise there. For example, you can use the pull up bar so you will be stronger. Another reason is because you can stop being afraid of heights. For example, you can climb to the 2nd level of the spider web. The last reason is because you can play on many different things. There are monkey bars, the spider web, and the spinning snake. That’s why I like the 2nd floor playground.
★ Shannon Kung 龔靖譞 202
Hello new KCIS students! When I was in grade one, I felt so bored because I didn’t know where to play! Did you find the best place to play in KCIS? If you promise me that you will be the best students ever, I will tell you where it is. In the 3rd floor, there is a big airplane. Beside the airplane is the airport. One reason I think the airport is the best place in KCIS is because I went to two countries before, so that makes me like to pretend to travel. Another reason is because you can play with the x-ray machine and check the bags you bring. Also, you can learn how to be a worker in the airport. Maybe you can be one of them when you grow up! As you can see, the airport is the best place in KCIS. When you have time, go to see it. Have fun!
Page updated
Report abuse