Introducing Team-Based Learning in Young Learners' Class

Written by Mr. Mayok, October 2024.

As a young learner’s teacher, it is always a challenge to get students motivated to learn and to work together. At home, kids usually have a behaviour that everything is theirs and the idea of sharing and working with others is a very new concept. To improve this behaviour, I introduce team-based learning to all of my classes. First, I establish the “Captains.” These are the leader of each team, and their responsibility is to make sure their team is working together and holding the “coins.” The team with the most coins is rewarded; either by getting stickers or more play time. Each day a new captain is chosen and sometimes we have as many as five teams. This team-based learning encourages teamwork and sharing. Classroom rules are also enforced by all students, not just the captains, throughout the class time. Of course, this takes a lot of time to establish, but it comes with practice. It also keeps all students engaged while promoting mainly a student-to-student interaction. This is important as teacher talking time should be reduced to allow students to improve themselves. Each student responds differently, but consistently, all students can interact in the classroom.

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Year 2 Lions' Exploration of Integrated Learning Topics

Written by Ms. Kymberle, October 2024.

This week, our Year 2 Lions have been exploring cross-curricular topics that blend science, global perspectives, and English. We began with outdoor explorations, introducing students to the animals and habitats around us. They participated in interactive matching games and created detailed models of insects and flora. A highlight was watching a BBC documentary about local wildlife impacted by climate change and human activity, which sparked meaningful discussions about how we can help these animals thrive.

In Maths, we've been using real-world experiences like role-playing with coins to practice buying and selling. This also sets the stage for our upcoming Dojo rewards market, where students will soon use their earned points to purchase items.

By integrating hands-on activities, sensory learning, and fostering student agency, we continue to create an engaging and dynamic classroom environment that promotes curiosity and critical thinking. Our students are becoming more confident in expressing their ideas and collaborating with their peers, as seen in their creative projects and class discussions. Their enthusiasm in both independent and group tasks has been a key highlight of the term. Watching them grow into inquisitive, active learners is incredibly rewarding and further strengthens my passion for teaching.

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Welcome to this Week’s Science Newsletter

Written by Ms. Regina, October 2024.

Current Topics in Science

Topics covered this semester include:

Year 7

Plant and animal cells, specialized cells, microscopy, materials and their structure, the periodic table, states of matter, Forces and energy, gravity, weight and mass, Solar system, tides and energy.

We‘re excited to see their curiosity grow as they conduct experiments, make observatiorns, and lean about the science behind everyday reactions.

Lab Experiments and Activities

We explored the fascinating world of microscopy! Using microscopes, students observed onion epidermal cells and learned how to prepare slides, focusing on the details of cell structures and making scientific drawings.

What We Did

ØSlide Preparation: Students prepared slides using onion cells and  practiced focusing techniques.

ØViewing Cell Types: We used different magnification levels to observe onion cells giving students a close-up view of onion cells.

ØMicroscope Handling: This experiment helped students develop confidence in adjusting focus and magnification settings, which are crucial for microscopy.

Key Takeaways: Observation Skills: Students noted variations in cell shape, size, and structure, gaining hands-on experience in scientific observation.

Year 9

Photosynthesis, the Carbon cycle, climate change, atomic structure and the periodic table, trends in groups with the periodic table, forces and energy, density, conservation of energy, heat and temperature.

Science lessons have been delivered by use of creative teaching methods which have significantly enhanced student engagement and comprehension, particularly by fostering interactivity, autonomy, and technological integration. Here’s how they impact students:

ØAutonomy-Supported Teaching: Students were given research work to explore on climate change. This allowed students to exercise choice and have a voice in their learning journey especially in the method of presentation which has shown to improve engagement, curiosity, and understanding. These techniques help students feel more connected to the material, thus improving comprehension.

ØTechnology Integration: Incorporating technology through tools like kahoot and quizzes during lesson introduction and conclusion and other digital resources such as sizzle and gauth not only keeps students engaged but also helps them grasp complex concepts more effectively.

ØGreatest achievement: Some students stood out in drawing and describing the atomic structure and supported other students who were struggling to understand.

Year 10

Cell structure, Characteristics of living things, Microscope and Magnification, Movement in and out of cells, Diffusion and Osmosis, Biological molecules, Enzymes, Planet Earth, The atmosphere, Water treatment

Laboratory experiment

In our latest science experiment, students explored the fascinating world of food testing. This activity introduced them to various techniques used to identify nutrients in everyday foods.

Key Tests Performed

1.Starch Test – Students added iodine solution to food samples to check for the presence of starch.

2.Benedict’s Test for Sugars – By adding Benedict's solution to food samples and heating them, students could identify reducing sugars based on color.

3.Biuret Test for Proteins – This test involved adding Biuret solution to detect proteins.

4.Emulsion Test for Lipids – To check for fats, students mixed samples with ethanol and water.

Learning Outcomes

ØNutrient Identification: Students gained hands-on experience identifying carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in foods.

ØLab Skills: They practiced careful measurement, observation, and safety techniques in a lab setting

Year 11

Transport in plants and animals, the circulatory system, Respiration and gaseous exchange, Coordination and response, Chemical reactions, chemical equations, types of chemical reactions, redox reactions, electrolysis, light, reflection and refraction properties of waves, spectra, electromagnetic waves, electrical charge, electrical quantities.

Science experiment on electric circuits.

We embarked on an exciting hands-on experiment to learn about electric circuits! The activity introduced students to fundamental concepts such as the flow of current, conservation of energy, and the properties of series and parallel circuits.

Highlights of the Experiment

1.Basic Circuit Setup: Students learned how to set up a simple circuit using a battery, wires, and a small light bulb. They observed how electricity flows through a closed circuit to light the bulb, making the concept of current flow come to life.

2.Series and Parallel Circuits: By creating both series and parallel circuits, students observed how current behaves differently in each.

3.Testing Conductors and Insulators: The students experimented with different materials to determine which allowed current to pass through (conductors) and which blocked it (insulators)

Learning Outcomes

ØHands-On Application: Students applied theoretical knowledge, constructing circuits and observing results directly.

ØCritical Thinking: By comparing different circuit types, they gained insights into real-world applications of electrical systems.

Thank you for supporting our young scientists in their learning journey! Stay tuned for more updates from the science lab.

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