Secondary Science

The dangers of cruising in Term 4

The dangers of cruising in Term 4

Many students tend to think that the year is over and focus in class drops dramtaically. Or they know that the next few weeks work may not be formally assessed  and stop making an effort. This is a short-sighted and dangerous approach. The is still work planned for...

Science in Practice

Science in Practice

For students in grade 9, the week has been very engaging and interesting. The students practically explored their environment by measuring various factors around them. They also took time to investigate how some of these factors affect specific living organisms in the...

Grade 8 Science – The Molecule of Life

Grade 8 Science – The Molecule of Life

DNA is the genetic material and the recognized as the most important discovery made by man in the 20th century. It is the basis of genetic engineering, treatment of diseases and understanding of inheritance patterns in living things, especially, humans. But...

Exam pressure is building up!

Exam pressure is building up!

For our final year students, nothing is more important at this time of their education than focusing on their final IBDP exams. The biology students have been reviewing many topics and this has proven successful in their preparation for the final exams. The pressure...

Grade 8 Science

Grade 8 Science

After a firm understanding of electrical circuits and mastering basic circuit calculations, students spent the week designing an experiment on how to verify some of the laws they studied in class. The panning culminated in a lab activity this Thursday. IBMYP Science...

Using Maths critically

Using Maths critically

We had an interesting case in Grade 8 maths class where we drew simple line graphs representing the wastage of food by rich and poor people. The superficial interpretation was that rich people wasted more food than poor people. A closer look revealed underlying issues...

Academic Honesty

Academic Honesty

Academic Honesty What is expected of you? We have had a disturbing trend in grades 7-8 regarding authentic work by students. I suspect that there may be students in other grades that skate a thin line between academic honesty and plagiarism.  Let's set the record...

Mr. Ferdi

Hello ABIS Community, I am the new DP/MYP Physics and Math AA teacher from Turkey. I have worked in Vietnam, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE. I am looking forward to meet you all.

Science Grade 7-8

Science Grade 7-8

Grade 7 and 8 have been under a fair bit of pressure these past few weeks with many summative tasks due in many subjects. It is a difficult period and they need all the encouragement to focus on completing these tasks. This is the time to help them get through the...

New units in Science

We are in the final stretch of the year and will soon begin new units in science. Grade 8 will conclude chemistry with a brief look at reactions and look at the study of waves. Grade 7 will complete forces and motion and look at work and energy. If time permits, we...

the heart of science

the heart of science

One of the challenges of science and also an MYP exit level requirement, is the ability to observe, question and then test an idea. In short, designing an experiment. This is a biggie! Grade 8s have demonstarted this skill admirbaly as they planned how to separate...

Nearing the end of term…

Nearing the end of term…

  All students are looking forward to the end of term and the upcoming activities duirng Oman week. However, we have two weeks of work before that - and a great effort needs to be made to complete all summative tasks for the term. So focus and work hard, we can enjoy...

Thinking and applying knowledge

Thinking and applying knowledge

"Knowledge is not intelligence" [Heraclitus]  "knowledge needs to be a verb" [Edwards Deming] These two quotes provide us with the basis of what can be achieved. Knowledge can be learnt. And we can use that knowledge to bring about change through critical thinking and...

Its all about the Graphs

Its all about the Graphs

Graphs are a picture to understanding something based on evidence and measurements. They illustrate the relationships between things. Being able to take data and transform it into pictures (graphs) and then use that to make predictions is a skill that is used in all...

Self-discipline

Self-discipline

Self-discipline is the key to success. It is the force that drives you to do things. And in doing, we learn and progress. For young children, habit is the key to practicing self-discipline. Encourage your child to review the day's work for a few minutes each evening,...

Time to reflect and recuperate

Time to reflect and recuperate

Everyone has been focussing on completing work and ensuring that they are prepared for school in January. The Grade 11 Physics students have been consolidating their practical skills as well as finishing the mechanics topic. Whilst the grade 10 students have been...

Student Accountability

Student Accountability

Accountability and responsibility are key aspects to learning. This term, the focus has been on helping students in grade 7-8 become more critical in their thinking,  more formal in their assessments and more accountable in managing themselves. There will be a...

Holidays

Holidays

The month of December is special to many people - it is a religious celebration for Christians while most others just appreciate the time to unwind and relax. Grade 7 and 8 have some tasks to do during the break. It should not take too much time - but a plan always...

Acidification of Oceans

Acidification of Oceans

Grade 8 did some experiments on egg-shells and vinegar. Simple fun in the lab but scientific skills such as planning an experiment, documenting evidence as-you-go, keeping notes and observations as you work are all important skills in being a scientist. Reflecting and...