Exploring relationships between measurable variables has Year 8 thinking really hard in maths this unit. They are making connections between their previous work with straight line graphs and gradients, as well as their recent data handling unit. This week they have been thinking about speed as a compound measure, which is affected by distance and time. They have had to be very resilient to solve problems related to speed and think about how to deal with time not being a decimal. They have explored calculator and non-calculator methods for this. Finally they had to be very cooperative when solving the speed mystery – when did the four friends set off to arrive in Phnom Penh at the same time and how did they get there?
Year 8 have just started a video project. They are learning how to use different apps such as iMovie, KeyNote and YouTube to create a short video/vlog with a Cambodian theme. Since our last update Year 8 tried coding in Python, learning about syntax errors, indentation and file names, along with testing and debugging. They have also been continuing to improve their knowledge on staying safe online and on how to be a better digital citizen by completing the online learning platform DQ World. Finally, Year 7 learners have been updating their digital portfolios.
Middle Years learners had a chance to display their science skills by designing experiments and collecting data to answer questions they were curious about. Some of the creative questions the learners come up with and explored included:
It was great to see the Middle Years Learners interacting with primary learners and demonstrating their projects in exciting ways. It was a fantastic to see how well many learners could articulate their findings to the primary learners and the learning facilitators. An exciting conclusion to the research the learners had been conducting for the past month. On Monday the Year 8s visited Koh Oukhna Tei to learn about how silk is made from silkworms. The journey there was eventful, comprising of a coach, boat, then a tuktuk ride to the Silk Farm. The learners were able to practise spinning silk yarns together after learning how the silk comes from the lava of the caterpillars. Every stage of the process is needed for the end result to happen. This was a fascinating start to the Relationship unit.
Year 8 are building on the foundations that they made last year in volleyball and focusing on building a three hit attack. In order to do this they have been developing their communication and interaction with their team mates. The confidence to take responsibility within the team is growing and some learners are progressing to overarm serving. Year 8 have a full range of opportunities for more personalised learning with some learners consolidating their setting and digging while others are focusing on the roles of different positions.
In Year 8 learners have chosen a Pixar or an animated short to voice over. They need to make sure they are using not only simple sentences, but also adding richer vocabulary and also longer sentences. Also, they need to include fixed phrases or idioms.
|
Archives
October 2018
Categories |