Dear Primary Families,
This week it has been encouraging to see how our students have adjusted and settled into our amended school schedule. The shorter school day has meant a few tweaks have had to be made to the usual class routines and I have been impressed by how students – and teachers – have been able to adapt.
When walking through classrooms this week, I have enjoyed seeing students inquiring into and finding out about subjects including flight, ecosystems, forms of government, inventions, how we learn, living things, and nature as part of their units of inquiry (UOI) work. While these may have either a science or social studies focus, it is important to remember that due to the transdisciplinary nature of our PYP programme, connections and links are made across and between subjects, including maths and English.
Last week I wrote about ways that parents may support their children. Please speak with your child about their learning in school this week and see what they can share about their current UOI. See if they are able to share any connections between this work and other areas of learning.
Please also note that while learning is often transdisciplinary, there are times when maths and English are taught as stand alone subjects. When links between subjects are not authentic, then areas of maths and English are on their own. Please also speak with your child about their learning in these subject areas – what maths, for example, have they been working on this week? What has been challenging this week, for example, and why?
I am writing this before this evening’s Iftar event and I am looking forward to seeing the community come together later today. It is a wonderful opportunity to connect with friends and I hope to see as many of you as possible later this evening.
I wish you all a happy weekend.
Best regards,
Matthew
Primary Team Lead