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On the 26th of September, we celebrate the European Day of Languages. Every year, millions of people in the Council’s member states and elsewhere organise or take part in activities to promote linguistic diversity. On this day, we talk about the advantages of knowing more than one language. We discussed how it helps us to develop plurilingual skills and reinforce intercultural understanding. It also allows us to get to know and to embrace other cultures and points of view. The Middle School students were actively engaged in discussions about “Why and how we learn a new language”, and also had fun participating in the House Language Competition, which was won by the red team: the Bears! Congratulations! Frau Laura Seraffini
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NETBALL KNOW-HOW
As our Netball module has begun so has the interest of our Middle School students. While there are many new rules and regulations to learn the students have taken to it like ducks to water. They have applied many of the concepts we used in the buildup games that have many similarities to the sport. While not typically played in Italy we are hoping to create some interest and awareness about this wonderful sport.
Mr Robuschi
PE Teacher
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GRADE 5 MET HUMAN RIGHTS HEROES
Kicking off the year’s “hero” theme for elementary assemblies at UIS, the Grade 5 students presented a time travel adventure to meet Human Rights heroes like Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Malala. Each spoke about their dreams, struggles, and hopes for the world. Even Batman and Spiderman, who turned up assuming they were the featured heroes to be celebrated, learned some important lessons about how each of us can contribute in our own homes, schools, and neighborhoods, to carry forth the strong ideas of these inspirational figures.
In the words of the actors themselves:
“Martin Luther King had a dream of black and white children playing together, with all families living in fair housing, with the freedom to follow their dreams.” (Riccardo)
“Nelson Mandela dreamed of a world with no racial segregation, no separation based on the color of skin.” (Edoardo)
“Malala stands for education and rights for all girls and women.” (Ginevra)
Mara Tramontin
Grade 5 teacher
AUTUMN THROUGH THE SENSES
Research shows that sensory stimulation is critical in the first few years of life. Over the past few weeks, the Pre-Nursery children have participated in a range of Autumn inspired sensory experiences. The children have used their senses to explore pine cones, chestnuts and Autumn leaves. They explored different sized pumpkins; first, they had fun washing them, then they discovered the pulp and the seeds. The children experimented with ears of corn and paint to make interesting patterns and marks. They also observed pomegranate seeds and quickly learnt that by crushing them with our fingers we can make interesting red marks.
Ms Paola Perosa
3D Digestive Systems
One of the challenges when teaching Science is to find ways, other than experiments, to make the work practical. Recently Grade Seven were set the problem of making three-dimensional models of the digestive system. All the students chose ‘poster’ versions of their models, hanging them on the wall. Some are more successful than others! This week we have developed the theme of digestion a little further, and the students are investigating ‘alien visitors’ or parasites of the digestive system. Nice! We have seen a marked improvement in the washing of hands since the start of this unit.
Mr Green
Using imaginative play to celebrate a birthday
Last week the Nursery 3 children came together to celebrate the first birthday in our class. It would have been like any other birthday, except for the fact that the one turning 3 years old was our special soft toy called Lupo Mannaro (a toy werewolf)!
From singing ‘happy birthday’ in different languages, to sitting together eating cake and celebrating the joy and fun of a birthday, our students had their first chance to get the feel of what happens at school on the day of their birthday. By understanding that everyone has, as we called it, their ‘special day,’ we not only acknowledged diversity but also allowed ourselves to dream and let our imagination take the lead through fantasy play… And the party was a blast!
Ms Adriana
N3 teacher
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Turning our Mums’ and Dads’ toys into museum pieces!
In Grade 2 this term, we have been comparing the past and present. We started with things we know a lot about, such as what we do, what we eat and what we play with.
We talked with our families, about why learning about the past is important and shared these ideas in class, which was a great discussion. We also asked our parents to share toys that they used to play with. Some Mums and Dads still had some of their toys!
We enjoyed seeing these toys from the past and other items that people shared from the past and it has really helped us to see real things and compare them with modern things.
We would be really happy if anybody else has some interesting things from the past to show us!
Grade 2
Ms Katharine Knott
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A varied beginning
Grade 6 has already started to demonstrate their varied skills in English Literature this term. They started with visualization; reading is not just words on a page but should create images in our mind and even actual pictures. They started by illustrating a poem by Roger McGough. They also showed off their dramatic skills by bringing their reading to life. However, amidst all this, they also survived being assessed for guided reading.
Mrs Nevin
Grade 6 Literature teacher
Exploring our World
Grade 6R and Grade 6G are learning that Geography is not just about maps, but it entails all aspects of our planet: its populations, resources, economies, climate and many others.
It is natural for children to be curious regarding the world that surrounds them and so they have researched natural and man-made disasters. They were quite shocked at the gravity of some of these, caused by man’s carelessness and laissez-faire attitude!
This lack of respect for Mother Earth and its inhabitants puts many creatures e at risk of extinction.
The students observed that if humankind does not move quickly on improving the situation of global warming, we also might one day just disappear…
Milly Savoini
MS Social Studies
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ECC Assembly
Last week we had our first assembly of the year in the ECC! Students from Nursery 3, Nursery 4 and Kindergarten joined forces in the foyer and came together to discuss ‘helpful hands’ when tidying up.
Assembly is a cherished time in the ECC as both students and teachers enjoy this shared learning opportunity. Through books, storytelling, role plays, guest visitors and conversations, we explore some big topics across the year, and as the students grow, we see them become more confident in participating actively.
We look forward to discussing friendship, taking care of others, helping the Earth and being safe in the upcoming months and we look forward to welcoming our youngest Pre-Nursery peers when they are ready.
Ms Nilva
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