Today I went to the kids' "student-led conferences" at their school. We have the opportunity once a year to have the kids show us what they've been learning and have them lead us in some learning activities. It's always fun for me to have the kids explain everything in their own ways as to what they've been learning, what they feel their strengths and weaknesses are, and what they're proud of. The teacher is only there to have a presence in the room, and parents are only supposed to listen and ask questions so the kids do all of the talking and teaching. What kid wouldn't love that?!
Rhea loved reading to me and showing me the house design program they've used in their current unit that has focused on understanding the different factors that influence the design and structures of buildings. Great unit that she has really enjoyed. And of course as part of that, she has come to appreciate 3D shapes, using tools of measurement, and figuring out the perimeter of objects. She also took me to a few of her specials--art, music, and Portuguese. They're learning the recorder in Year 3. I got to see her teacher Ms. Cassandra again and meet a few of her friends too: Daania and Victoria.
Rhea loved reading to me and showing me the house design program they've used in their current unit that has focused on understanding the different factors that influence the design and structures of buildings. Great unit that she has really enjoyed. And of course as part of that, she has come to appreciate 3D shapes, using tools of measurement, and figuring out the perimeter of objects. She also took me to a few of her specials--art, music, and Portuguese. They're learning the recorder in Year 3. I got to see her teacher Ms. Cassandra again and meet a few of her friends too: Daania and Victoria.
Thomas had fun showing me his Fairytale Minecraft project that the whole class did last week for "Language Week." They enjoyed a week of guest speakers that shared their "mother tongues," dances, food, etc. with the kids, and they participated in language projects to enrich the experience. Thomas worked with Maarten, Oliver, Amaan on "Jack and the Beanstalk" in Dutch. It was a wonderful project that has motivated him to learn more Dutch, and the kids had fun recording the Minecraft story and editing it. His teacher Ms. Faber is from the Netherlands along with Maarten and Oliver, so they helped coach Thomas on his Dutch.
Here is Thomas with Ms. Faber and his friend Pan, his fellow Rubik's cube buddy from Indonesia. They have spent hours and hours at school obsessing about the cube's algorithms and ways to solve it faster. They have a lot of fun with their "healthy competitions" to see who can solve it the fastest. Pan was really nice when I complimented him on being a good friend and challenge for Thomas, by saying that Thomas was a lot better than him and that Thomas can solve it faster than he can. He was so quick to compliment Thomas and turn the focus from himself. A very kind and humble boy. I'm so grateful for the good friends that surround my boy.
Portuguese projects, self-portrait art project, his portfolio were all fun to see. Also above is his "Who are you poster." He has words like piano, Pi, and scientific formulas to show things he loves along with 0's and 1's to represent his new love of computer programming.
After running around outside in the heat and humidity for 2 hours before her conference, Savannah finally got to do hers. She has been in her new class with Mr. Aongus now for 2 months and loves it! They've worked on a quite a bit of poetry, so she showed a few of her projects and then walked me through writing a poem about Dorito chips, a random topic I chose. She also taught me a few division math games that were fun for us to play together. Their latest unit of inquiry has been about climate change and the greenhouse effect, which she has enjoyed and has taught us all about at home by reminding us of ways that we can leave a smaller carbon footprint here in Angola.
They've also been studying about myths and legends, specifically Norse myths, so in art she got to create a mythical character. She's enjoying being challenged in a little more advanced level Portuguese class as well.
It was fun to "play" with my kids at school and I appreciated the chance to see all that they're learning and the methods with which they're learning. It's always fun to see their teachers and their friends, and especially to see my kids flutter around the school campus freely and without the angst that we feel here in the city.
Portuguese projects, self-portrait art project, his portfolio were all fun to see. Also above is his "Who are you poster." He has words like piano, Pi, and scientific formulas to show things he loves along with 0's and 1's to represent his new love of computer programming.
After running around outside in the heat and humidity for 2 hours before her conference, Savannah finally got to do hers. She has been in her new class with Mr. Aongus now for 2 months and loves it! They've worked on a quite a bit of poetry, so she showed a few of her projects and then walked me through writing a poem about Dorito chips, a random topic I chose. She also taught me a few division math games that were fun for us to play together. Their latest unit of inquiry has been about climate change and the greenhouse effect, which she has enjoyed and has taught us all about at home by reminding us of ways that we can leave a smaller carbon footprint here in Angola.
They've also been studying about myths and legends, specifically Norse myths, so in art she got to create a mythical character. She's enjoying being challenged in a little more advanced level Portuguese class as well.
It was fun to "play" with my kids at school and I appreciated the chance to see all that they're learning and the methods with which they're learning. It's always fun to see their teachers and their friends, and especially to see my kids flutter around the school campus freely and without the angst that we feel here in the city.
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