As we approach the midterm break and the Holy Month of Ramadan draws to a gentle close, it is the perfect time to pause and celebrate the incredible artistic journey our PYP students have taken over the last four weeks. From the silent storytelling of the stage to the digital realms of animation and sound design, our classrooms have been hubs of intense creativity and “Maimnation” (the wonderful intersection of Mime and Animation!).
Reflecting on the Last Four Weeks
Over the past month, our students have pivoted from traditional performance to multi-media composition:
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Early Years (KG1-G2): We have moved from simple Drama Games to the disciplined art of Mime. Students learned that physical precision—like “The Invisible Wall”—is what makes an audience believe in the imaginary.
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Lower Primary (G3-G4): These grades mastered the “frame-by-frame” mindset, connecting the physical movements of Mime with Stop-Motion Animation.
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Upper Primary (G5-G6): Our oldest PYP students explored the “soul” of art by composing original Soundscapes and practicing Foley Art to bring their photography and animation projects to life with realistic, handmade sound effects.
As we look forward to our return from break, we are excited to transition back to our core Music units, carrying these performance and composition skills with us!
Weekly Focus: IB Learner Profiles
While our projects change, our growth as IB learners is constant. This week, we highlight:
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Reflective: As we reach the midterm, students have been looking back at their recordings and performances to ask, “How does this sound/look compared to my original goal?” This reflection is key to the “polishing” phase of our digital work.
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Balanced: Our students have shown great focus during the Holy Month, balancing their academic energy with the quiet, disciplined requirements of mime and digital editing.
ATL Skills (Approaches to Learning)
This week, our “how we learn” focus was on:
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Thinking Skills (Creative Thinking): Specifically, the ability to create “something from nothing”—whether it’s a sound effect for a footstep made from a piece of paper or an entire character built through silent movement.
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Research Skills (Information Literacy): Grade 5 and 6 students have been practicing how to select and utilize specific digital tools and sound layers to communicate a particular mood or environment.
A Note for the Return
After the break, we will be jumping back into our instruments and vocal work! Grade 5 and 6 students, please ensure your headphones are ready for the final touches on your multimedia compositions when we return.
On behalf of the ABIS Performing Arts Department, we wish all our families a peaceful end to the midterm and a very joyous celebration.
Eid Mubarak to all!