How We Organize Ourselves

Stand Proud!

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As part of their Fifth Grade PYP Exhibition related to the central idea of sustainability, two groups of students have opted to organize projects in response to their trip to Stand Proud, an organization that helps survivors of polio and youth with other disabilities.

Pool Party

One group is organizing a fundraising pool party to help Stand Proud purchase water filters.

After surveying possible attendees (students in grades 3-5), the student organizers decided on this Wednesday, May 15 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. The cost of the event is $7.00 (Note: A discounted price of $5.00 is available for those who bring food donations to share).

Students must have a signed permission slip in order to attend.

Note: The event will have adult supervision.

Shoe and Clothing Drive

Another group of students is organizing a shoe and clothing drive, also to support Stand Proud.

The clothing drive will run from Tuesday, May 14 through Monday, May 20. The student organizers are inviting students and other members of the TASOK community to donate old shoes and clothes that are still in good condition.

Note: Students have specified that clothing donations must be thoroughly washed.

 

Multiple Sources

To learn more about polio, check out the following links:

STRUCTURE Challenge

As you reflect on this post, the fifth graders’ projects, and polio… what kinds of connections can you make to our unit on STRUCTURE?

What role does STRUCTURE play in organizing these events?

What types of STRUCTURE cause or are affected by polio?

What STRUCTURES have been established worldwide to help prevent polio?

Measuring Our Mastery of Measurement

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Today, we explored one final aspect of measurement – capacity, which includes a very common set of units, particularly for those who enjoy cooking and baking. Unlike the metric system, which is based on multiples of 10 and can be converted in conjunction with one’s understanding of the prefixes, the customary system often does not have an easy way to remember. In our workbook, though, we were introduced to a very valuable visual, the STRUCTURE of which allowed us to explore equivalents and create conversion tables.

As extension of this exploration and a culmination of our year-long journey with the metric and customary measurement systems, students were challenged to create their own visual for a specific aspect and system of measurement, complete a conversion table, and represent equivalents on a number line. Working in teams, students used multiple sources including their grid books, workbooks, and online resources, if needed, to make a multiple source we could reference in the room.

Teams of thinkers really worked well, discussing essential elements, sharing creative ideas, celebrating various skill sets, and delegating roles and responsibilities. STRUCTURE was incredibly integrated, both intentionally and instinctively by these incredible inquirers!

 

Return for the resource reveal!

Multiple Sources

Digital Citizenship

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After working with our preschool buddies, we ventured over to the middle school to learn about digital citizenship and citations.

The sixth grade students had prepared a lesson featuring some important information about citations. As students who are to show integrity and be principled, this is important information to become knowledgeable about. It is information we will need apply to our work as scholars this year and in the years to come.

After a brief introduction, students worked in groups facilitated by the sixth grade students to create correctly-formatted citations and sort sources into those that are reliable and unreliable.

In addition to learning the content, we also learned a lot about preparing presentations, sharing information, and facilitating groups. Challenging!

Multiple Sources

The following is a GREAT overview of citing sources.

As we learn more about citations, STRUCTURE will play a key role.

           

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Redux.

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Once again today was buddy day. This week, PS2 joined us for our extended Earth Day activity.

After our read aloud, students started tracing hands, coloring globes, and sharing ideas related to reducing, reusing, recycling. It was great to see so many students, unprompted, place their excess paper in the recycling tub during clean up time.

In Fifth Grade, students are currently working on their PYP Exhibition projects. I would encourage you to ask them what kinds of things they are doing to reduce, reuse, and recycle and how does those actions connect with their central idea about sustainability.

Multiple Sources

       

Developing Data Detectives

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Today, as we prepared to look at a variety of data representations, we warmed up with a visual activity from Math 4 Love. (*Great multiple source.*)

Working with their tables groups, students took time to make observations, identify relationships, consider the role of STRUCTURE, and connect to our learning.

Scholarly conversations were instantaneous. Without invitation, students instinctively were drawn to the board for a closer look, where they shared their ideas and inferences with other math-magicians.

Mr. Collins was witness to our enthusiasm and eagle-eyed observations. He was almost as excited as we were.

We then took our detective skills to the next level by examining data representations related to our countries of focus. Like our initial activity, we looked through the lens of STRUCTURE and its role in understanding the information.

  • What can you learn from each of the representations below?
  • Why do the STRUCTURE differ?
  • Could the data be represented with a different STRUCTURE? If so, how? Why?

Histogram

Line Graph

Bar Graph

Stem-and-Leaf Plot

Double Bar Graph

Scatterplot

Pie Chart / Circle Graph

Infographic

 

Rainy Day Recess Revelation

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This week, we relished the return of the rains. With them came a few rainy day recesses. As the rain came down, the students spread out, sprinkling the room with an array of activities. As I roamed around, I realized… every single game or activity students were involved in had some kind of STRUCTURE.

Take a peek at the pictures below. What forms of STRUCTURE do you see, and what are their functions?

 

Football at its Finest

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Today, TASOK hosted its first ever junior soccer tournament. What a wonderful day of competition and character building.

Our TASOK 1 and TASOK 2  host teams engaged in a rigorous round robin with Kinshasa Christian School, Bambino Renove, Lycee Nakiyinga, and the French School. Each 20-minute match featured fancy footwork, diligent defense, timely teamwork, and self-controlled sportsmanship. Several games ended in ties followed by nail-biting shootouts. Goalies had to show a great deal of grit and grace. Players and spectators alike were positive and enjoyed an environment filled with encouragement.

   

In the end, Lycee Nakiyinga, emerged the victors. It was especially heartwarming to see our Condors congratulate the winners with high fives and handshakes during the medal ceremony.

 

Keeping the footballers and fans fueled up were a few faithful student council members. Thank to Ms. Sherman and Ms. Kraft for helping coordinate the event. The hot dogs were a hit!

  

Thank you to all those who came out to support our teams and our student council. Can’t wait until next year!!

Reflection: Throughout the day, the word “STRUCTURE” was shouted by some of the coaches. How does STRUCTURE play a role in soccer?

The “Phabulous” Phantom Tollbooth

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Tonight TASOK middle and high school students dazzled in their debut performance of “The Phantom Tollbooth” based on the book by Norton Juster.

For those unfamiliar with the story, it is about a bored boy named Milo  who transports himself in his toy car through a magical tollbooth into the troubled Kingdom of Wisdom. Along with his dog, Tock, Milo ventures through various peculiar places including the Doldrums, Dictionopolis and Digitopolis. Debate over the importance of letters and numbers creates some conflict among the characters, and the rescue and restoration of Rhyme and Reason become priorities for the pair.

If you want to know how it turns out, take a trip to TASOK tomorrow (Saturday) night or Sunday afternoon. You will not regret it!

Mr. Timmerman, Ms. Dwinell, the atelier construction team, and the entire cast put together a wonderful, whimsical production.

As you watch, think of Miss Kaun. She would have loved this rendition sensational story.

       

Challenge: If you attend the performance, think about ALL the different forms and functions of STRUCTURE evident throughout.

 

Reflection: What learner profile traits are exemplified in the actors, writers, and characters?

Deluged with Data and… Deliciousness!

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Later this week, we will be diving into some data related to our country of focus, India. As we look at data, we will be considering how data is represented and STRUCTURED. We will be analyzing the effectiveness of various representations, interpreting the information, and

  • Pie Chart/ Circle Graphs

Alert: The following video is for 8th Grade thinkers, so be sure to use all your super scholar strategies to soak up information. 

Tomorrow, we will have the day off. Do take a minute to learn about International Workers’ Day by checking some facts on Kiddle and watching the following mini-video featuring a Google Doodle. (Cool Tools Museum Connection: How many and wht types of “cool tools” do you see in the video and doodle?)

In other parts of the world, May 1 is known and May Day, which has a very different purpose and is celebrated in a variety of ways around the world.

A more important occasion worth celebrating on our day off is… Seojin’s birthday! In advance of his special day, Seojin generously shared some delightfully delicious delicacies… double chocolate muffins. Mmmmm… Singing and snacking… what better way to head into a midweek break?! Smiles all around!

 

Learning ’bout Language… and Lovin’ It!!

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This morning, we took some time to review our MAP assessment results from the fall, set goals to work towards, and created an action plan to achieving our goals. Our first test will be language, which assess three areas:

  • understand, edit for grammar, usage
  • write, revise texts for purpose and audience
  • understand, edit for mechanics

As scholars, everyone was excited about the upcoming opportunities to apply our learning and strategies to this assessment. Several students shared about how they have been working hard at home, as well, taking the initiative to reinforce ideas learned in class and accessing multiple sources.

We took some time to look at the STRUCTURE of sentences… specifically compound sentences, which use coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS – for, and, nor, boy, or, yet, so). We examined mentor sentences crafted by the author of Homeless Bird, Gloria Whelan, then we worked together to write our original sentences.


The afternoon was spent practicing for tomorrow’s Celebration of the Arts. It it an event that shouldn’t be missed!

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