If you missed the performance of our original song "Be An Active Listener" at this morning's assembly, you can view it in the video below:
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Assembly
We will be performing our original 'song' about active listening at this Thursday's assembly. If you have a moment to spare that morning, please stop by the Anita and Samson H. Chowdhury Performing Arts Center at 7:55 to watch us in action!
Monday, March 16, 2015
Stepping Inside to Question and Think Critically
Questioning is a developing skill in all grades, but in kindergarten, distinguishing between a question and comment can be particularly challenging. In order to practice this skill and think about what it means to ask "deep questions", we partook in an activity that is an adaptation of the visible thinking routine "Step Inside". We just began a new unit of inquiry on matter this week. While the students show limited knowledge of the scientific terminology related to matter, they come with quite a lot of knowledge about the diversity of matter and how it behaves and transforms. It is pulling this knowledge out that sometimes proves to be tricky.
To get students thinking about the different matter around us and the properties of solids, liquids and gases, they were asked individually to step inside a ring. When doing so, they took on a new identity (such as orange juice, air, a brick, etc.) The remaining students sat in a larger circle and were challenged to ask questions that might help them guess what object the student inside the ring was.
Initially the questions asked targeted mostly physically characteristics and were largely yes and no questions. As the routine continued, however, the questions began targeting reactions and transformations, which forced more complex answers. Some questions asked were:
You can see a brief video of this routine below:
To get students thinking about the different matter around us and the properties of solids, liquids and gases, they were asked individually to step inside a ring. When doing so, they took on a new identity (such as orange juice, air, a brick, etc.) The remaining students sat in a larger circle and were challenged to ask questions that might help them guess what object the student inside the ring was.
Initially the questions asked targeted mostly physically characteristics and were largely yes and no questions. As the routine continued, however, the questions began targeting reactions and transformations, which forced more complex answers. Some questions asked were:
- What happens if someone touches you?
- How do you move?
- What happens if someone puts fire on you?
- Can you be broken?
- How can you change?
- Can something go through you?
You can see a brief video of this routine below:
Our class loved this activity so much that we extended it a bit further today by coming up with what different 'objects' (states of matter) might say if they could talk. Stay tuned for an update on this soon!
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
After School Activities
Dear Parents,
Please note that Q4 ES ASA brochure will be posted online on Tuesday, March 31st. Or click: http://www.aisdhaka.
Registration will take place
online on April 1, 2, 3 & 4. Please use the ASA Powerschool ID and PW to login. If you misplaced your Id or Pw; please contact Joya Ambarin (jambarin@aisdhaka.org) at the Activities Office before April 1st.
Thanks
Joya
Monday, March 9, 2015
Organization Action
During our unit of inquiry on organization within communities, all kindergarteners gathered together for a 'Town Hall Meeting'. The purpose of this meeting was to allow the students to share concerns/problems they see in our kindergarten spaces. (See a short clip of the meeting below.)
Fifteen areas of concern were shared during this time. In the following days, each kindergarten student identified one the these areas he was interested in helping improve.
Students were then divided into groups based on their interests and worked as small teams to come up with solutions to the problems. They took action to create signs, write books and letters, and design organizational tools to help keep our kindergarten area more organized. They applied their newly developed understanding of persuasive writing and organization to determine which fix-it idea would be the most effective. Check out the video clips and pictures below to see some of the students presenting their ideas:
Fifteen areas of concern were shared during this time. In the following days, each kindergarten student identified one the these areas he was interested in helping improve.
Students were then divided into groups based on their interests and worked as small teams to come up with solutions to the problems. They took action to create signs, write books and letters, and design organizational tools to help keep our kindergarten area more organized. They applied their newly developed understanding of persuasive writing and organization to determine which fix-it idea would be the most effective. Check out the video clips and pictures below to see some of the students presenting their ideas:
Volunteers Needed
Calling all volunteers! We are in need of some people to help with a few things. If you have any available time and would be willing to help out we would be so appreciative! Please consider one (or both) of the following:
1. Book Assemblers: We are looking for some adults to volunteer by assembling some paper books. We were fortunate to be able to get many sets of kindergarten-level books printed in color, but they now need to collated and stapled. We have many, many to work on, but hopefully with enough help we can get them done quickly and into the hands of your children. This task can be done at any time throughout the day and will be done in the school but outside the classroom. In fact, several volunteers could work together over coffee! If you feel uncomfortable working directly with the students or aren't free during our learning center time, but still want to help out, this would be a great opportunity. We would take any available time you have. Please email me with your interest and questions.
2. Learning Centers: If you would like to volunteer on a more regular basis by working directly with students in the classroom, we would love your help during learning centers. These happen daily from 11:30 to 12:15. We are currently seeking volunteers on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Please let me know if you are interested.
1. Book Assemblers: We are looking for some adults to volunteer by assembling some paper books. We were fortunate to be able to get many sets of kindergarten-level books printed in color, but they now need to collated and stapled. We have many, many to work on, but hopefully with enough help we can get them done quickly and into the hands of your children. This task can be done at any time throughout the day and will be done in the school but outside the classroom. In fact, several volunteers could work together over coffee! If you feel uncomfortable working directly with the students or aren't free during our learning center time, but still want to help out, this would be a great opportunity. We would take any available time you have. Please email me with your interest and questions.
2. Learning Centers: If you would like to volunteer on a more regular basis by working directly with students in the classroom, we would love your help during learning centers. These happen daily from 11:30 to 12:15. We are currently seeking volunteers on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Please let me know if you are interested.
Visiting Author: Steve Swinburne
Last week we had the privilege of listening to author Steve Swinburne speak. He was fun and engaging and we learned so much from him about what it is like to be an author of non-fiction books. He is particularly interested in the environment and sustainability. He shared lots of information about sea turtles, which I'm sure many of you parents have already heard all about.
Please view the two short video clips below to get a glimpse into Steve Swinburne's presentation to our kindergarten classes:
Please view the two short video clips below to get a glimpse into Steve Swinburne's presentation to our kindergarten classes:
You can visit Steve Swinburne's website for more information by clicking here.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Upcoming Sales
Please see the message below from 3M:
3M Taking
Action
3M
is finishing a unit called “People Helping People”. The central idea of this
unit in our words is: Collaboration can help us find meaningful solutions. To
take action, 3M is having a Book Sale, a
Craft and Jewelry Sale, and a Bake Sale.
Please support us by bringing money for these activities.
We
also are having a Book Sale on March 9th, 9:15 -10:45 A.M. It is in the main rotunda
and there are over 200 books for children of all ages! The books are in very
good condition! Please buy some books.
The Craft and Jewelry Sale that 3M will have is
on March 9th, 9:15- 10:45
A.M in
the main rotunda. The Craft and
Jewelry Sale will be selling loom bands, beaded necklaces, rainbow
frames and origami. We suggest you bring 100-200 Taka.
The
Bake Sale is on Thursday, March 12th,
9:15 -10:45 AM on the rooftop playground. Each
item (drink or snack) will be 20-70 Taka. We suggest that you bring in 200- 400
Taka.
The money that 3M raises goes to several
organizations like Heifer International, EKMATTRA, UNICEF, and Opportunity
International who all help the poor. So please help support these organizations
and join us on those days!
Thank you from 3M!
Written by:
Hamza Suleman
Thursday, March 5, 2015
We Got Tigger!
We were just awarded Tigger at this morning's assembly for all of our hard work and responsible behaviors. We are so proud!
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Community Roles
Our Unit of Inquiry on organization and communities is coming to a close. We have learned a lot throughout this unit on how organization can help our communities thrive, and we have identified how often we organize throughout the day.
To showcase our understanding, we highlighted some of the communities of which we are a part and described some of our roles and responsibilities in each. Listen to Liam describe his roles:
To showcase our understanding, we highlighted some of the communities of which we are a part and described some of our roles and responsibilities in each. Listen to Liam describe his roles:
*You can listen to your own child's recording by accessing his/her portfolio. Please bear in mind that not all have been recorded at this point as some students are still finishing up.
Another activity that caused us to reflect was the one seen below in which we identified ways we organize things at home and school. This Unit of Inquiry has helped us gain a deeper understanding of organization in general as we have realized that organization happens in so many aspects of our lives.
We also partook in self-assessing our personal organization skills at the beginning of the unit and will take one again in the next couple days. We look forward to comparing our answers.
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