Year Groups 

Our current unit of inquiry, Sharing the planet, provides our learners with endless opportunities to think in new ways. We are focussing on the approaches to learning; thinking skills, research skills and communication skills. They are developing skills of observation, data gathering and recording as they care for the Nursery garden and the seedlings they have planted. The learners delight in watching the plants change and excitedly share their findings with each other and the adults in our environment. When describing changes they can be heard using new vocabulary such as the parts of a plant, and the needs of living things. Each learner documented the growth of their seedling by taking a photo and discussing the growth. A learning invitation in the classroom last week was to investigate measurement by using unifix cubes to measure the length of the plants and make comparisons between longer and shorter. 

“It’s so tall”

 “It grow super tall to the ceiling”

A table set up with seedlings and coloured pencils provoked the learners to look closely at our seedlings and draw what they could see. 

“I draw the lines on the leaves“ 

“It’s got many leaves” 

“It’s got roots”

“There is patterns on the leaves”

Taking our inquiry out of our immediate learning space we ventured all the way up to the level 5 community garden to see what we could discover. We were equipped with clipboards and pencils, ipads to take photos and magnifying glasses. We spent time observing the living things in the garden and found; caterpillars, snails, millipedes, spiders, plants, flowers and birds.

“I can see a circle plant”

“Hear birdies”

“I see ants, they are small”

“Look! Flowers!”

“A little white bug on top of the leaf”

We used our 5 senses to take clippings and explore different herbs from the garden beds.

“I can smell it, it smells like orange”

“Spikey things”

“It smells stinky”

The rich and exciting conversations that occur throughout the day support the development of language and understanding of how to form relevant questions. Viewing the world through the eyes of a Nursery learner reminds us that even the smallest things and changes are remarkable!

Our Unit of Inquiry, ‘Exploring water can help us experience our world’ has captured the children’s curiosity, awe and wonder about the world around them. We started our unit by discovering that there was a problem with the water in Kindergarten, it had stopped working! The children couldn’t believe what happened so they used their communication skills to solve the problem. We realised the impact this was going to have on our day and the learners quickly listed off all of the things we need water for in our day-to-day life. Turns out, water is REALLY important. The children had so many ideas and enthusiastically shared them in peer discussions. Luckily, we found a solution and used the Nursery area to fill our water bottles and use the bathroom. 

After an exciting start to the unit, the children have continued to inquire and find out more about water in our immediate environment and world. The children have demonstrated the approaches to learning throughout this unit and have used their communication skills in speaking and listening and social skills by developing their interpersonal relationships. The children have inquired into where water comes from, shared their knowledge and ideas with each other, and examined different sources and uses of water. They have demonstrated a genuine understanding and appreciation about the importance of water in his everyday life and in our environment. Next in our unit, we will inquire into the properties of water and will put our scientific hats on to investigate, explore and experiment. We are looking forward to sharing more learning soon.

The learners are thoroughly enjoying their current inquiry into “Celebrations are a form of expression”. The ATLs we are focusing on in this unit are communication, research and social skills. This inquiry is providing wonderful, authentic opportunities for the learners to develop all of these skills. We have particularly enjoyed seeing the learners apply these skills outside of the classroom as they discover more about the celebrations important to their families. Furthermore, they have been using their communication skills when presenting their Discover and Discuss photographs.

This week the learners further developed their research skills by investigating different wedding traditions from around the world. They used features of nonfiction texts to find interesting new facts and then used a Venn diagram to make connections with a different celebration of their choice, comparing and contrasting features. The growth in their social skills was evident as the learners worked collaboratively, discussing and diligently recording the facts they found most interesting. 

We look forward to seeing the learners use these ATLs to plan their own celebration in the coming weeks.

It has been an eventful week for our Year 2 learners, filled with new experiences and opportunities for growth. As we embarked on our new unit of inquiry, ‘How we organise ourselves’, we intentionally provoked our learners by altering the familiar classroom environment. We removed the cubby name labels, the timetable, and even the date, leading to a sense of confusion and curiosity. Questions like "What's happened?" and "Why is that not in the right place?" echoed throughout the hub. Even teachers unfamiliar to our space found themselves pondering, "What's happening in Year 2?" The central idea 'People collaborate and organise themselves using systems' aims to encourage our learners to understand the existing systems in place and their impact when they are disrupted. To kickstart their exploration, we initiated a reflective discussion, prompting the learners to describe the problem, identify the different people involved, and recognise the challenges faced by each person. We encouraged them to empathise and consider the emotions individuals might be experiencing in this situation. Furthermore, we challenged them to imagine alternative options for how the situation could be handled. 

In addition our Year 2 learners have also begun their transition days to Year 3. These days have been filled with excitement as they familiarise themselves with the Year 3 class spaces, the Level 5 cafeteria, and the Level 6 play deck. It is during this transition period that they are realising the importance of developing self-management skills. Remembering to bring their water bottles and snacks has become a vital responsibility, helping them become experts in organising and managing themselves. As we progress through this unit, we will continue to delve deeper into the concept of systems and how they affect our daily lives, focusing on the ATLs as drive to support their understanding.

In Year 3, we are currently delving into the fascinating topic of how individual lives are shaped by the environment. During this unit, we are focusing on two important Approaches to Learning (ATLs): self-management and thinking.

In terms of self-management, we have been conducting explicit lessons on perseverance and resilience, which have proven to be incredibly successful. We have been discussing and reflecting on the meaning of resilience, emphasising the importance of keeping going even when faced with challenges. Our learners have been encouraged to work out ways to solve problems and to not give up easily. Learners have been able to make connections to the hardship of others, and their stories of overcoming challenges due to their environment. We have also been emphasising the value of trying again after setbacks, managing change, and adapting to new situations. These lessons have sparked remarkable conversations among our students, enabling them to reflect on how they handle setbacks and recognize them as opportunities for growth and learning.

Moreover, our unit of inquiry has allowed us to enhance our thinking skills, particularly in terms of considering new perspectives. As part of our exploration into the lives of children outside of Singapore, we have encouraged our learners to step into the shoes of others and develop a deeper understanding of different environments and experiences. This emphasis on considering new perspectives has been particularly important in fostering empathy and helping our students recognise and appreciate their privileges while developing a greater understanding that not everyone shares the same environment as them.

This combination of personal growth and expanded understanding of the world around us has been a rich and rewarding experience for everyone involved. We are really excited to continue with the unit and see what other deeper understandings our learners will discover.

Last week Year 4 were excited to share their learning of 'Simple Machines and Forces' with their parents and Year 3 in their Mini-exhibition. It was a great opportunity for our learners to share their scientific understanding and as well as showcase their development in their 'approaches to learning' - the lifelong skills of self-management, social skills, communication skills, thinking skills and research skills. Thank you to all parents, carers and Year 3 classes who joined us to listen to our presentations and give us feedback!

This week Year 4 started their final Unit of Inquiry for the year with our Central Idea, 'Trading is a way of meeting the needs and wants of people.'  Learners participated in an exciting (and very noisy) provocation activity in which coloured pencils were traded in order to complete a picture using specific colours. This generated lots of interesting comments which we will explore further as the Inquiry develops. These included comments about 'supply and demand', fair trading, integrity and how the value we place on an item can influence its price.  Within this Trading Game, learners had the opportunity to develop their communication skills by negotiating the price of a pencil with their peers; learning resilience when the price was too high; using their observation skills to see which coloured pencils might be in demand and using their thinking skills to work out how understanding 'supply and demand' could benefit their own money bank.  Through a series of trading activities and discussions over the next few weeks, Year 4 learners will delve deeper into the concept of 'trading' and how it impacts our lives.  Alongside this, we will regularly reflect on the development of our thinking skills, communication skills, social skills, research skills and self-management skills.

As we near the end of the academic year, we will build in some transition activities to help learners reflect on their learning over this year, celebrate their achievements and progress and prepare themselves for the year ahead.

In year 5 the learners are immersed in an exciting unit of inquiry focused on the central idea 'Exploration expands human understanding'. This engaging inquiry encourages learners to delve into the history of space exploration, current missions and future possibilities. Thinking and research skills have are the approaches to learning that are supporting learners through their journey of discovery. 

Thinking skills play a crucial role as students are encouraged to think critically, creatively and reflect on what they are finding out. They engage in activities that foster their ability to ask thoughtful questions, analyse information and make connections to conceptual understanding. 

While applying their research skills learners use both primary and secondary sources to gather information and deepen their understanding of their space focus. Groups of learners have been finding out about a variety of space exploration. This ranges from the Artemis II astronauts and their extensive list of experience that is vital for their mission in 2024. To building their own rovers that will allow humanity to continue to gather information from Mars and use this to make living on the red planet, a reality. These research skills will support learners to communicate their new learning in innovative and original ways. 

Research and thinking skills cultivate a mindset of curiosity, critical thinking and perseverance that learners can apply to in all areas of life and learning. As year 5 learners near the end of this year, we know that they will transition to year 6 and take many valuable skills which will be developed even further. 

A reminder to all families and learners about our Space MADD celebration. Please book Tuesday 13th June 6-8pm out in your calendar. This event will take place in our Nexus auditorium. Our presentation will be connected to our MADD week events.

What another amazing week of ACTION as we continue on Primary Years Programme (PYP) Exhibition journey. As we delve deeper into this engaging and transformative experience, we wanted to take a moment to highlight the essential role of Approaches to Learning (ATLs) in our Exhibition journey.

ATLs are an integral part of the PYP curriculum, focusing on the development of skills that help learners become independent, self-regulated, and lifelong learners. These skills are essential not only during the Exhibition but also throughout their educational journey and beyond.

Throughout the Exhibition process, our learners are actively engaging with various ATLs to support their inquiries, research, and presentations. Here's a glimpse of how we integrate ATLs into the Exhibition:

1. Research Skills: Learners are honing their research skills by seeking reliable sources, organizing information effectively, and critically analyzing data to develop a deep understanding of their chosen topics.

2. Communication Skills: As they collaborate with peers, mentors, and community members, learners are practicing effective communication skills, including active listening, expressing their ideas clearly, and respectfully engaging in discussions.

3. Self-Management Skills: Learners are developing self-management skills by organizing their time, setting goals, prioritizing tasks, and reflecting on their progress to ensure they stay on track throughout the Exhibition process.

4. Social Skills: Collaboration and teamwork are emphasized during the Exhibition. Learners are learning to respect diverse perspectives, negotiate roles and engage with both the Nexus and wider community.

5. Thinking Skills: Critical and creative thinking skills are at the forefront as learners analyse information, make connections, ask meaningful questions, generate ideas, and solve problems related to their chosen topics.

Our learnings should be proud of their growth of these important skills, which will undoubtedly support them in their future academic and personal endeavors.

To celebrate this, we would like to invite you all to the upcoming Exhibition Showcase, where our learners will proudly present their findings and reflections on Tuesday, June 6th in the evening (time TBC). This event will be a culmination of their hard work and dedication throughout the Exhibition journey.

Please mark your calendars and join us to celebrate our learners' achievements. The Exhibition Showcase will provide you with an opportunity to engage with their inquiries, ask questions, and witness their growth as young researchers, critical thinkers, and communicators.

We look forward to seeing you at the Exhibition Showcase on Tuesday, June 6th. Let us come together as a community to support and encourage our learners as they shine.

Should you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Thank you for your continued support.

The Year 6 Team.