Inquiry is the essence of study
2021-01-07
Teachers at Country Garden Silver Beach school have been hard at work implementing their PYP topics. The process of UOI Inquiry allows students to discover and learn about topic relating to real life situations. Teachers have completed their exhibition for the topic and students proudly presented their knowledge.
We took a closer look at our teachers who are leading the English UOI topics and got their perspectives on the process and learning that goes on during a topic.
Grade One students have completed their topic on Plants. They started their inquiry by exploring what a plant is and its importance to our lives. They followed with further investigation into pollination, bees, and the life cycle of a plant. Students participated in various activities including watching videos, learning songs, examining real plants, and even planting their own seeds. Students presented diagrams, boards and worksheet showing what they had discovered. “I believe that experiential learning allows students minds being stimulated and aid the students to grasp the concept of the topic and to comprehend what is being taught…allowing them to grow their own seed created a far more memorable moment for the students, allowing them to become more interested and engaged in the subject.” – Miss Iman (grade 1 and 2)
Grade Two students presented their topic of Animals. The inquiry was started with a look into different types of animals. Students looked into what animals they already knew, which animals we could own as pets and where you could see our favorites. Students inquired into animal habitats and investigated the real-life problems that many animals face such as pollution, deforestation, and overfishing. Students learned how to categorize mammals, fish and birds and what characteristics each group had. They created mind maps and diagrams to help visualize their learning process. Students presented their knowledge with board presentations, an animal drama and songs.
Grade Three students educated their peers on their topic of Water. Students began their journey with a look into just how important water is to all our lives. They investigated the different properties of water and explored various water experiments. Students learned about the water cycle and how plants absorb water in their “Colorful Lettuce” experiment. Students inquired about water density in their “Does it sink or float?” experiment. They saw firsthand what surface tension was in their “Pepper and Soap” experiment. Finally, students asked real questions about how to save water, how to prevent water pollution and what effects these have on our lives. Students visited the local water treatment plant and were shown how water is made safe for us all. Students presented boards, speeches, a song and recreated their own experiments to show their knowledge of water. “By allowing students an atmosphere where they can ask questions, be curious, be creative, search for answers, and create their own conclusions, students have the chance to be a crucial part of their own learning. I believe that the dialogue between students and teachers should be an open and positive one.”- Miss North (grade 2 and 3)
Grade Four students completed their topic on Media. To start off their topic they inquired about and built on what they students already knew about Media. They created mind maps and together identified the vocabulary within the topic. They then sorted out what information they thought was relevant and created posters as a visual representation of their knowledge. Students looked into media uses and types. They volunteered their own ideas about how to be safe while online and discussed the usages of media today compared to in the past. The students planned and presented projects and information they had learned during the inquiry with boards, speeches, and images. “The best way for students to learn is to try to involve your students via class conversations or creating posters and creating class activities” – Mr. Marc (grade 4)
Grade Five students shared their take on their topic Poetry. Students began their inquiry with videos and discussions of what Poetry was. They inquired into what they already know regarding poetry. Students were asked to identify elements found in Poetry and if Poetry has different styles. Students did a KWL chart on Poetry, a mind map of Poetry, a word wall of rhyming words, a structure of a poem breakdown, 5 styles of Poetry (how each style works), each student also did their own poetry examples of each style learned. Students ended their inquiry with presentations of different kinds of poetry. Poetry elements, Poetry structure, 5 styles and each group represented 1 style of Poetry. Students used this opportunity to teach what is Poetry, what can be found in poetry, examples of 5 learned styles and their own poetry examples. “Students learn best when there is a positive environment of learning as well as a cultivation of a positive attitude and perception of each learning task. Students learn best when engaged in active and meaningful learning aimed to meet their needs and wants” –Miss GF (grade 5)
As the topic ends and a new topic is on the horizon, students are busy asking new questions, inquiring into new subjects, and participating in their own shaping and growing. Our PYP program enables students, no matter their learning level or speed, to participate in a differentiated, captivating, and welcoming atmosphere. We are looking forward to sharing our next investigation.
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