5A and 5B Migration Drama Kings and Queens
Our drama performances were educational, entertaining and enlightening. We love seizing the opportunity to be creative and have fun at the same time, so this was awesome for us. We peer assessed each other’s performances using stars and wishes and it was great receiving feedback like this. We all learned some valuable lessons about being prepared and using our preparation time wisely. Another thing that we learned was to project our voices and to never ever turn your back on your audience. Ms. Cassandra and Ms. Catherine loved how we made connections to the central idea and lines of inquiry. We discussed our success criteria and what our summative assessment should include during the planning stage and Ms. Cassandra and Ms. Catherine were impressed with how much of this was included in the performances.
Performers had props, costumes and stage set ups that assisted in the make believe. Some actors put on really funny voices and one of the performances even had their own backgrounds on a PowerPoint. It looked so realistic. The class had a really good giggle at so many of the performances. It really is wonderful to be in a class where we can take risks, put ourselves out there and know that our classmates appreciate our efforts.
Mechanical Hands Invade Grade 5B
Grade 5B could be mistaken for thinking they had been transported to the future on Thursday, when a swarm of Grade 6 design students came to our class with robotic arms. The students engaged in a question and answer session about the mechanism of the hands. The Grade 6s had the chance to share their knowledge as to how they researched, designed and produced their own hands, while the Grade 5s enjoyed sharing in the experience and gaining insights into the content of the MYP design curriculum. We love inquiring into new conecepts and broadening our perspectives, so Grade 6 really facilitated this.
Grade 6 Visit
Grade 5 were visited by grade 6 Design and Technology class on Tuesday. The grade 6 students were showing their work, which was a mechanical hand. They asked the class what they knew about hands and how they work. They were put into small groups and the grade 6 students taught them about the movements in their hand.
It was a great insight into MYP work and the grade 5s really enjoyed it, they immediately asked if they will be doing that in MYP!
Katara Music Academy Trip
This week, we extended our learning beyond the school walls and went on a musical journey. 5A and 5B were thrilled at the chance to hop on a bus and visit the Music Academy in Katara to learn more about Arab music and to interview some very interesting musical migrants.
From the moment we entered the academy, we were greeted by various musicians who have migrated to Qatar to pursue music. The sight of the beautiful Arab instruments enthralled and delighted our grade 5 students who immediately began inquiring and taking notes. We learned all about the tablah, the oud and the nay. It was so informative learning about music of the Middle East and being able to hear it up close and personal. Did you know that Arab music has specific rhythmic and melodic structures called maqam? Many of these structures are unique to this area, like the use of intervals smaller than a semitone and scales like the double harmonic. The technical side of things will make more sense as we continue to study it in our ongoing music lessons and we will also eventually compose in this style. We are really broadening our musical knowledge here in grade 5.
Once the presentation was finished, we split into our groups and interviewed musicians form all over the world. These interviews will feature in our podcasts about musical migrants. Watch this space and keep an eye on the music blog over the coming weeks to hear them. We can’t wait to publish them and hear your feedback.
We are a talented bunch and we hope you enjoy looking at our trip photos.
Reading Buddies
Reading Buddies has started in Grade 5. Learners in grade 3 have been partnered with grade 5 and they read their chosen book from the library. Taking turns they each read and talk about what is happening. Both sets of children are really enjoying this opportunity!
Inquiry, Research and Presentation
In Grade 5A we have been using the laptops to research Homing and Migration as part of our first Unit of Inquiry. Each student was given one area to research and created a presentation.
Catch and Release
In Grade 5B, we are absolutely loving this song right now and it makes us feel good. The message in this song reminds us that it’s natural and normal to feel a little stressed sometimes, so we need to remember to be balanced by taking time to relax and re-centre ourselves when we need to.
We wanted to share this with you and we hope you enjoy it.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LXsm9y-z3I [/youtube]
Brain Breaks
We are active learners in grade 5! In order to keep things interesting and to make sure our minds are wide awake, we sometimes enjoy a nice brain break. The children love to be active and take five to refresh and transition between lessons.
It’s a Jungle Out There
If there’s one thing we’ve realized in life, it’s that others won’t always see things in the same way you do! Here in Grade 5, we are prepared for these situations now that we have carried out this awesome activity which highlights and celebrates different points of view. As part of our essential agreements, we celebrate different points of view and are learning to be open minded and caring even when we disagree. We have an attitude of empathy and appreciation for the differences we identify in each other. We are curious to learn more from all of the vibrant and unique individuals in our class this year. We know that we all looked the same, acted the same and had the same thoughts, things would get very boring very quickly. We were born to stand out and we love that!!
Reading Buddies with Grade 3
Grade 5B had their first reading buddy session with grade 3 on Wednesday. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to share our love of books with younger students and to act as good role models and ambassadors for reading. Here in grade 5, we are going to strive to read for pleasure as much as we possibly can this year. Reading is such a valuable and enriching past time. We encourage you at home to pick up a book and enter another world.
These are some of our favourite quotes about reading… We hope they inspire you to read this weekend.
“Reading is like going into another dimension.” Huda Grade 5B
The more you read, the more you will know. The more that you learn the more places you’ll go!” Dr. Seuss
“Reading is like carrying a garden in your pocket.”
“Books are the stepping stones to the imagination.”
“Reading is dreaming with open eyes.”
