Reflections

One of our 7th grader made an interesting observation the other day. "Why did the IBO pick the Pokemon Go team colours for their programme logos?" See what I mean...PYP-team Instinct, MYP-team Valor and DP- team Mystic. I, personally, was pointing out the IB Learner Profile at the core of all Continuum programmes at that time. Being a Pokemon Go player myself the connection was cool but completely overlooked. Bigger fan of the IBO than Pokemon Go...

IBO-team Instinct, team Valor, team Mystic

Pokemon Go-team Instinct, team Valor, team Mystic

Happy holidays!

Enjoy the holidays with a good book. Pop-in the library to check one out!

Books as concept manipulatives

I came across an intriguing idea reading "The Library Element" blog by Philip Williams. I think it is worth sharing and exploring further. Have you ever thought of using books and library for math instruction? Organizing, sorting, counting, size and other math topics could easily be explored in the library. Great, or what?

"Books, as physical objects, can similarly be considered as  “concept manipulatives“. Apart from the rich stories, informational texts & all that books represent, the physical artefact that is a book gives students the opportunity to hold ideas in their hands. This is not a print versus digital argument either. It is simply an appreciation for the physical act of grasping a book or a pile of books on a subject & organising them, categorising them, classifying them, sorting them and all the while discussing & engaging with various concepts that may relate to that subject area. Even the act of searching the library shelves for a book engages the whole body in the process of research." Read more

Exploring books in the library.

Manipulatives in the library.

It all comes together in the library.

How to raise a reader

Kids become lifelong readers for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes there's one key book that captures a kid's imagination and opens him or her up to the exciting world of fiction. Other times, a teacher who assigns great books in class sparks a hunger for more big ideas and fine writing. In some cases, parents influence kids' appreciation of books by sharing their own love of literature and modeling reader behavior -- always having a book to read, taking books on vacation, reading before bedtime, making regular trips to the library and bookstore, etc.

Read more about the tips for nurturing a love of reading below from Common Sense Media webpage.

Read aloud

Savor the series

Grab onto a genre

Feed the favorite-author addiction

Count on the classics

Find books about the things your kid loves

Funny is fine

Comics are OK

Make reading a family value