CISH Weekly Newsletter (September Week 1, Part 4)

Grade 6

Students in Grade 6 Science are beginning to explore the fascinating behaviors and properties of light. They are learning how light travels, reflects, and refracts, helping them understand everyday experiences in a scientific way. This unit encourages curiosity through hands-on activities and simple experiments. Parents can look forward to their children sharing exciting discoveries about how light helps us see and interact with the world.

Grade 8

This week the Year 8s have been working on their first unit, so far we have been exploring some of the keys terms that will appear whilst learning about vectors and scalars. Students have been creating their own experiments to help them work out their walking speed. 

Grade 10 Physics

This week, Grade 10 students were introduced to Physics as a new area of study in Science. They began by exploring the foundations of measurements and physical quantities, distinguishing between scalars and vectors, and practicing how to represent data through graphing. Students also examined the concepts of errors and uncertainty, gaining an understanding of their importance in scientific investigations. Special emphasis was placed on developing ATL skills, particularly communication and thinking, as students shared their ideas, interpreted results, and reflected on the accuracy of their work. The class responded with great enthusiasm and expressed excitement about beginning their journey into the world of Physics, showing curiosity and motivation to build deeper knowledge in the weeks ahead.

Grade 10 Chemistry

Our Grade 10 Chemistry students are learning how to draw Bohr diagrams as a way to understand electronic configuration and the structure of atoms. This activity allows them to see how electrons are arranged around the nucleus in different energy levels. Earlier this week, they revisited key chemistry basics, which has helped prepare them for this new concept. This progression is supporting their deeper understanding of atomic structure.

Grade 10 Biology

This week, students revisited the foundations of cell theory and the biochemical composition of life. Using authentic research lab images, they practiced discerning key structural features and testing their understanding of how carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids underpin cell function. The exercise emphasized visual literacy in science — interpreting professional data sources rather than simplified diagrams — a skill that prepares them for advanced study. By the end of the week, students demonstrated a stronger ability to connect microscopic evidence to the universal principles of cell theory. 

DP SEHS

This week in DP1 Sports Science, we began by discussing class expectations before diving into Unit 1, where we are exploring the skeletal and muscular systems. Our focus has been on understanding anatomical positions and the planes of movement. To consolidate this theoretical knowledge, students participated in a practical and engaging experiment designed to apply key concepts in a hands-on context. This helped reinforce learning through both movement and observation.

DP Physics

This week, DP Physics students made significant progress on their Internal Assessments. They focused on refining and polishing their research questions to ensure they were precise, testable, and aligned with IB expectations. Students also identified the specific equipment needed for their experimental setups, preparing for the data collection process. In addition, they conducted pretrial laboratory sessions to test and adjust their methods before the full investigation. Throughout these activities, they developed key ATL skills, particularly research skills in designing investigations and self-management skills in organizing their time, resources, and responsibilities effectively. 

Early Years

Foundation and Line Up This week, we welcomed Pre-K students to gym class. They practiced circle time and lining up to familiarize themselves with our routine. We continued our warm-up with dancing to "Baby Shark" and "Raining Tacos." As we built our foundation in the gym, we also focused on movement and spatial awareness through games, moving and freezing exercises, and a 5-minute mindfulness practice. Of course, we included some free play as well. It was an excellent start to the week. Well done, Pre-K!

PYP

This week during PE we kicked off our Individual Pursuits unit! Students have been exploring throwing and catching skills, locomotor movements, and other fundamental movement skills. Engagement has been excellent, and the class is beginning to understand the expectations during PE lessons.

Over the next few weeks, we will continue to build these foundational skills, with the end goal of helping students transfer their learning into different sports and games.

Well done, Grade 1 — keep up the great effort!

MYP

This week, Grade 6 students began learning the basic rules of volleyball, including player rotation and the number of hits allowed. They were introduced to two key skills: the set and the underarm serve. During the set shot, students completed a peer assessment activity, giving and receiving feedback on their technique. This helped them develop both their skills and understanding of effective communication in sport. Overall, the class showed strong engagement and built a solid foundation for progressing into game play in upcoming lessons.

Grade 9

This week in Grade 9 Mathematics, we explored set theory notation and practiced working with the symbols and relationships used to describe sets. To make this more personal and engaging, students created their own “Set Map of Me”, using sets to represent their hobbies, interests, and characteristics. This creative activity helped them see how abstract mathematical ideas can be applied in meaningful ways.

We also began working with significant figures, learning how to identify and count them, and why they are important when expressing numbers accurately in science and mathematics.

Grade 10

This week in MYP 5 (Grade 10) Mathematics, we began with a lively command terms activity to ensure students fully understand the importance of these terms, which are crucial for interpreting questions accurately. The activity not only built clarity but also fostered teamwork, energy, and collaboration in the classroom. Students recognized that command terms will continue to appear in both formative and summative assessments, and developing fluency with them is vital preparation for the DP years, where precision in understanding and responding to questions directly impacts success.

Grade 11 AA

This week in Grade 11 AA Mathematics, we began our study of arithmetic and geometric sequences, exploring their rules and applications while practising a range of problems. Students worked through both Paper 1 (non-calculator) and Paper 2 (calculator) style questions to strengthen their problem-solving skills and exam techniques. This balanced approach allowed them to build a solid understanding of the concepts while also becoming more confident in applying their knowledge in IB assessment-style contexts.

Grade 12 AA

This week in DP2 Analysis & Approaches, our students dedicated their learning to exploring and applying essential skills with the TI-Nspire CX calculator, guided by Transum’s Essential Skills series. They practised solving simultaneous equations, working with statistics, exploring graphs, and applying differentiation and integration tools through hands-on activities. Developing fluency with the TI-Nspire is not only a requirement for IB assessments but also a powerful way to deepen conceptual understanding, increase efficiency, and build confidence in tackling complex mathematical problems both in class and during examinations.