Toddler - Mathematics
Written by Ms. Mary Ann
From the tender age of one, it becomes paramount for children to establish routines that facilitate smooth transitions between various activities. This foundational process begins in our math lessons.
Our Toddler children had the opportunity to immerse themselves in a world of colours within the classroom environment. Their excitement reached its peak when we unveiled the mystery box, and each student eagerly selected an item that captured their curiosity. They expressed their creativity by leaving vibrant handprints and stamps on paper using edible paint made from cornstarch and food colouring. They also explored their artistic side by scribbling with an array of colourful markers.
Taking this concept further and aligning it with their English language learning, the class used starfruit to stamp yellow onto a picture of the sun. This exercise beautifully demonstrated the children's enthusiasm and their eagerness to showcase their capabilities, which was inspired by the story "From Head to Toe" by Eric Carle.
It's truly heartwarming to see such motivated and talented young learners trying to consistently affirm 'I can do it' whenever they encounter new challenges.
Nursery - Music
Written by Ms. Melissa
The first week of Nursery music class is a vibrant and enchanting experience that sets the tone for a musical journey filled with joy, exploration, and learning. To begin the week, students are introduced to the delightful world of music through playing ring bells and exploring body percussion. There is a lot of curiosity in the children as they discover the magic of creating their own musical sounds. This simple yet captivating activity fosters their sense of rhythm and coordination, while also igniting their imagination.
The beginning of the music class is a heartwarming blend of discovery, playfulness, and connection. Through playing instruments, singing, and doing some movement while singing, the children embark on a musical adventure that not only nurtures their budding musical abilities but also cultivates their sense of togetherness and self-expression. I hope they will have a foundation for a lifelong appreciation of the world of music.
PreK - Chinese Language
Written by Ms.Nian
新学年开始了,小朋友们也再次回到了开心的校园生活。在这几周的中文学习中,小朋友们表现的都非常棒,也在逐渐的尝试开口说中文。课堂上,小朋友们可以跟着音乐一起大声歌唱,学会了使用中文问候,并且学会了说“我爱爸爸、妈妈”, “我爱我家”。
The new school year has begun, and the kids have returned to their happy school life again. In the past few weeks of Chinese learning, the children have performed very well, and they are gradually trying to speak Chinese. During the class, the kids can sing along with the music, learn how to use Chinese greetings, and also say "I love my father and mother" and "I love my family".
K1 - Understanding the World
Written by Ms. Lorely
Dear Diary,
It has been two weeks since school started and it’s nothing but fun doing things we love to do and fun learning something new. So, we note down the highlights for us to look back on.
Day 1: A day full of smiles and excitement!
We met new friends and teachers and we explored the “new world” where we learn and grow.
Day 2: In tune with our daily routines and class rules.
We familiarised ourselves with the daily schedule. Hmm, looks like we will be learning a lot this year!
Day 3: A day about ourselves.
All of us enjoyed a picture walk on the book “My Body”
Day 4: Sketched the beautiful face that mom and dad adore.
Day 5: Made “All About Me House Craft”.
I miss my family a little but that’s okay…will be home in half a day…
Day 6: Listened to the story, “I Like Myself” by Karen Beaumont.
Day 7: Songs and chants…we remind ourselves how special we truly are!
Day 8: It’s time to improve our coordination and finger dexterity.
We keep in mind that scissors are pointing away from our tiny little hands.
Day 9: Now we have a clue to use our glue — lid off, one twist and slide!
Day 10: Our first two weeks in K1 had been absolutely unforgettable!
P.S.
We thought it would be a scary week for us. Well, it's been an amazing start to Kindergarten! We can't wait to see what the rest of the year brings! The F U N has just begun!
Love,
K1 Kindness
K2 - Indonesian Language
Written by Ms. Yuyun
During the second week of school, the K2 students discovered that they're unique. After getting to know their teachers and friends and introducing themselves, they learned how special they are in their own ways. Some kids shared their love for sports, while others showed off their drawing skills. They also talked about how being different is a good thing.'
Apart from that, we learned a song and sang it in front of the class. "Kepala, pundak, lutut, kaki … lutut kaki" – all the K2 students really enjoy singing this song. To wrap things up, we played a game called "Show what I say," and all the kids had a blast playing it.
Grade 1 - English Language
Written by Mr. Marc
Spaghetti All Over the Place
“What a mess!” a Grade 1 student blurted out during English Language Class. She was referring to the picture below from Shel Silverstein’s poem “Spaghetti”.
The Grade 1 students have begun their challenging and joyful run towards better English, more confidence, and Semester 1 exam readiness.
One of the first stops on the G1 journey is to use language as a way to express feelings through poetry and to deliver successful class presentations. In the beginning, students rely heavily on teachers and peers to face new language challenges and higher expectations in Grade 1. By the end of the term, each student will stand in front of the whole class and recite the poem “Spaghetti” by Shel Silverstein.
Not only that, but each student will choose another poem to recite, and the strongest performances will be selected to perform at the Annual ES Oral English Assembly in October to recite a poem in front of ES students and parents. Below you can see a group of students standing together learning the class poem and building confidence by succeeding together as they recite in front of their classmates.
Here is a video of a group rehearsing in front of the class with teacher scaffolding:
Grade 2 - Science
Written by Ms. Shirley
Exploring Science Tools
Science resembles a thrilling treasure hunt, with each find unveiling a fresh adventure. Grade 2 learners embark on this exciting journey by delving into the essence of science and discovering various tools. These tools act as their guides, enabling them to observe, investigate, and unravel the mysteries of the world. Let’s dive in and witness how these young explorers wield these scientific instruments.
Ensuring safety is an absolute necessity during any scientific escapade. Grade 2 students are immersing themselves in understanding the correct use of safety goggles - these instruments act as their shields, protecting their eyes as they explore the wonder of science. The balances are like magic helpers for students, making it easy to compare and measure the mass of objects. Grade 2 students use these tools to figure out how heavy different things are.Introducing another captivating science tool, the measuring cylinder, which empowers students to measure liquid volume. Grade 2 students relish the experience of pouring and measuring liquids with these handy tools. A pipette or dropper aids students in transferring small amounts of liquid. They also make use of a funnel for the seamless pouring of liquids into containers with narrow openings. Additionally, Grade 2 students had an enjoyable time experimenting with water on a coin.
Grade 2 students had a fun-filled experience as they used measuring spoons and cups to count and measure. They eagerly scooped up mongo seeds, colourful noodles, and corn seeds, adding an element of excitement to their activities.
Just like detectives use magnifying glasses to find tiny clues, this tool helps Grade 2 students observe tiny details. They explored leaf patterns, examined hair strands, and investigated the texture of their skin.
Grade 3 - Indonesian Language
Written by Ms. Junita
As we are using the new textbook “Menjadi Indonesia", Grade 3 ILL students were so excited to explore the topics in the book. They were working in groups to do role play about the animals’ campaign. They were asked to come forward and read aloud their part from the script in the textbook.
They learned some key features of a poster. They were asked to complete a poster, by writing the sentence and colouring it.
Grade 4 - PE
Written by Mr. Dominic
Cricket, with its intricate rules and unique gameplay, might seem like a complex sport to introduce to elementary school children. However, the Grade 4 students are demonstrating an innate ability to absorb the sport's essentials with their characteristic curiosity and boundless energy. The journey of these young cricket enthusiasts not only highlights the adaptability of children but also emphasizes the importance of sports in holistic education.
The students' introduction to cricket is carefully structured to ensure they grasp both the fundamental skills and the spirit of the game. From learning the correct grip for holding a cricket bat to understanding the roles of a bowler, batsman, and fielder, the children are exposed to the various dimensions that make cricket an engaging team sport. We are emphasizing fair play, teamwork, and sportsmanship, values that are not only relevant on the field but also in their everyday lives.
In conclusion, the Grade 4 students' foray into the world of cricket is a testament to the power of sports in education. The students are not merely learning to play a new game; they are gaining life skills, building friendships, and discovering their own potential. Cricket, once seen as a sport for adults, is proving to be an exciting and enriching adventure for these young learners, leaving a lasting impression that goes far beyond the boundaries of the cricket pitch.
Grade 5 - Music
Written by Mr. Freddy
We believe that music education has an important role in children’s development and growth with a positive impact. Having exposure to music is not just a lesson for their skills and knowledge but it is a life experience that will improve student’s self-esteem. This new academic year, the Grade 5 students are very excited to continue their musical adventure with all the project performances coming up during this term. Looking back to their prior learning experience, the Grade 5 students closed their previous year with an amazing performance of an Asian medley hulusi performance. They combined Japanese, Korean, and Chinese music into one performance with the soothing house sound and beautiful singing as you can watch from the video below to review.
They have been practising with hulusi instruments from the very basic level since last year and this year they will start to develop their skills with more challenging songs. They will also learn to play ukulele and kolintang this year which will need more cooperation and good teamwork balanced with good individual rehearsal strategy. This month, the Grade 5 students are preparing their first performance of the year for the Mid-Autumn Festival which will be presented at the end of September 2023. This will be a collaborative project between Music and Chinese subjects.