ASJ-FOSHAN
Primary Section
Foshan ASJ is the IB world school authorized by the IBO organization. Students in each grade will carry out inquiry learning around six themes within one school year. After the unit ends, students will record the 4-6 weeks of inquiry in the form of a Unit Celebration. This is not only a celebration of learning achievements, but also an important opportunity for students to share the inquiry process and results with the entire learning community.
Through sharing, students not only broaden their international horizons, but also influence every member of the learning community with practical actions. Recently, students in fifth grade, first grade and second grade in the primary school successfully held unit exhibitions around the inquiry themes of their respective grades. They used multiple forms to display the results of their inquiry and shared the results of their inquiry with the learning community.
How We Organize Ourselves
During their inquiry under the unit theme “How We Organise Ourselves,” P5 students explored the concept of leadership and examined how systems and decision-making shape our communities. Guided by the central idea that shared decision-making helps develop leadership skills, students developed a deeper understanding of what it means to be a leader and how decisions can influence others.
Throughout the unit, students engaged in a wide range of experiential learning through scenario-based simulations. By taking part in role play and authentic classroom situations, they explored examples of fairness and unfairness. These experiences enabled them to build a more personal and emotional understanding of leadership and its impact.
As students gradually clarified their thinking, they compared different leadership scenarios and examined the issue of fairness from multiple perspectives. A key highlight of this phase was the integration of questions raised by parents, making the learning process more authentic and meaningful. Students discussed topics including homework, school regulations and student well-being, while practising how leaders can deliver thoughtful and considered responses.
Meanwhile, students proactively voiced their desire to establish a formal student council on campus. They hope to take concrete action to bring positive change and impact to the entire learning community.
At the unit celebration, students showcased their learning outcomes through performances, artworks, and a live simulated student council session.Parents submitted discussion topics in advance and engaged actively in on-site dialogues. Acting as student council members, the students responded to and exchanged views on the raised issues.
This interactive format fostered an authentic, engaging learning experience, allowing students to fully demonstrate their communication skills, collaborative spirit, and critical thinking within a practical real-world context.
P1 and P2 students embarked on inquiry-based learning within the Sharing the Planet unit, exploring core concepts including life cycles, living organisms and distinctive characteristics.
After distinguishing between living and non-living things, the children got to know a wide range of plants and animals, such as silkworms, chicks, pitayas, kangaroos, seahorses, potatoes and soybeans. They systematically learned about their complete life cycles and growth processes, gaining first-hand insight into the wonders of life development. Through observing tangible elements, students built a solid understanding of the key concept of the life cycle.
During further in-depth inquiry, students sorted and summarized the essential conditions for the growth of various living organisms. They explored the environments and other survival needs required by different creatures to live and thrive. Through targeted horizontal comparisons, students came to understand the connections between living things, as well as the cause-and-effect relationships inherent in all life cycles.
Towards the end of the unit, students connected their learning to daily life, practised empathy and reflective thinking, and learned how to care for small animals and respect all forms of life. They developed a strong awareness of protecting plants and animals and living in harmony with nature.By taking small creatures home, creating promotional posters, and sharing their insights with members of the learning community, students took meaningful action to inspire and influence those around them.
Throughout this unit, P1 and P2 children also experienced the full hatching process from eggs to chicks. They raised silkworms firsthand and observed their complete metamorphosis, from larvae to mature insects and finally into moths inside cocoons. In addition, students planted various plants and witnessed their gradual growth from seeds.These experiences are not only an exploration of biological growth, but also a valuable lesson in life education.
▲The chicks, silkworms and seedlings hatched by the students
At the unit culmination exhibition, students delivered presentations and shared their learning, with parents taking an active part as well.As vital members of the learning community, parents witnessed the children’s learning journey and growth at the event, and offered encouraging feedback to motivate every student.
Through a series of unit culmination events, we witness students growing through inquiry and advancing through sharing. The company and active engagement of parents further fill our learning community with warmth and strength.
Within the IB PYP curriculum framework, every child is empowered to explore the world freely, acquire knowledge, build competencies, and gradually shape their personal character. At Foshan ASJ, our diverse and inclusive campus nurtures students to grow into new-era youngsters with a global vision and a deep sense of patriotism. The power of inquiry will continue to light up every step of their growth journey.
繁体
