Dear SIS Families,

As we close the year 2023 and the first semester at SIS, we would like to highlight the importance of encouraging and supporting your children in becoming more aware of service to the community. Engaging in these activities can have a profound impact on their personal growth, character development, and overall well-being. Through these activities, they gain empathy, compassion, and a sense of responsibility to make a positive impact. It cultivates gratitude, humility, and social responsibility while fostering connections with diverse individuals. 

At SIS, we find opportunities for our Geckos to become compassionate, responsible, and engaged citizens of the world. Here are some examples:

亲爱的家长，

在 2023 年和 SIS 第一学期即将结束之际，我们想强调鼓励和支持您的孩子提高社区服务意识的重要性。参与这些活动可以对他们的个人成长、性格发展和整体福祉产生深远的影响。通过这些活动，他们获得了同理心、同情心和责任感，从而产生积极的影响。它培养感恩、谦逊和社会责任感，同时培养与不同个体的联系。

在 SIS，我们寻找机会让我们的壁虎成为富有同情心、负责任和积极参与的世界公民。这里有些例子：

During their "How the World Works" Unit of Inquiry, Prek 2D class were very interested in  knowing more about hospitals and eye doctors. Inspired by their exploration, they set up an “eye hospital” in the classroom, with student volunteers reading to the "sick patients." This sparked the idea to launch a service-learning project to support Bethel, a foster home for visually impaired children and orphans.

The project aligned with the learning goals of exploring the different senses and their functions. Prek 2D students divided into groups and chose a sense to focus on, creating items specifically for the Bethel children. One group made noise shakers with various items inside, such as bells, to engage the sense of hearing. They also added textured papers to the bottles for a tactile experience.

Another group developed scented playdough, carefully considering the senses of touch and smell. Instead of adding color, they focused on different scents like coffee and orange to enhance the sensory experience for the children.

Recognizing that the children at Bethel couldn't see the picture books they read at SIS students, the last group created audio books, providing an auditory journey through storytelling.

As a whole class, Prek 2D explored the sense of taste and took the opportunity to make holiday candies for the children at Bethel, spreading joy and sweetness during the festive season.

Through this service-learning project, Prek 2D embraced empathy, creativity, and the exploration of senses, making a positive impact on the lives of visually impaired children at Bethel.

在“世界如何运作”探究单元中，Prek 2D 班非常有兴趣了解更多有关医院和眼科医生的信息。受到探索的启发，他们在教室里设立了一个“眼科医院”，由学生志愿者为“病人”读书。这引发了启动服务学习项目来支持伯特利（Bethel）的想法，伯特利是视障儿童和孤儿的寄养之家。

该项目符合探索不同感官及其功能的学习目标。Prek 2D 学生分成小组，选择关注的重点，专门为伯特利的孩子们制作物品。一组人制作了装有各种物品（例如铃铛）的噪音振动器，以吸引听觉。他们还在瓶子上添加了纹理纸以获得触觉体验。

另一组仔细考虑触觉和嗅觉，开发出有香味的橡皮泥。他们没有添加颜色，而是专注于咖啡和橙子等不同的气味，以增强孩子们的感官体验。

意识到伯特利的孩子们看不到他们在 SIS 学生那里读的图画书，最后一组制作了有声读物，通过讲故事提供听觉之旅。

Prek 2D全班一起探索味觉，并借此机会为伯特利的孩子们制作节日糖果，传播节日期间的欢乐和甜蜜。

通过这个服务学习项目，Prek 2D 拥抱同理心、创造力和感官探索，对伯特利视障儿童的生活产生了积极影响。

In our WWPAIT, unit grade 2 inquired about Changemakers. We learned that people choose to make a difference. We used the UN sustainable development goals as our focus. Students did research to learn about young changemakers like Malala, Greta Thunberg and others. Inspired by those examples, our class wanted to take action to fight pollution. We picked up litter from our campus and surrounding areas. Getting our hands dirty to keep our environment clean was a great way for students to feel like they are making a difference. Students understand that plastic trash and litter in the environment can be harmful to animals. They were excited to pitch in and help make everything cleaner and safer for everyone.

We also used the app Book Creator to make infographics to inform and persuade. We wanted people to know what actions they could take to help. We used research to provide strong reasons and evidence for our opinions. You too can be a change maker!

在我们的 WWPAIT 中，2 级学生询问了 变革者。我们了解到人们选择做出改变。我们以联合国可持续发展目标为重点。学生们进行了研究，以了解Malala、Greta Thunberg等年轻的变革者。受到这些例子的启发，我们班想采取行动对抗污染。我们从校园和周边地区捡拾垃圾。亲自动手保持环境清洁是让学生感觉自己正在做出贡献的好方法。学生们了解环境中的塑料垃圾和垃圾可能对动物有害。他们很高兴能够参与进来，帮助每个人让一切变得更清洁、更安全。

我们还使用 Book Creator 应用程序制作信息图表来提供信息和说服力。我们希望人们知道他们可以采取哪些行动来提供帮助。我们利用研究为我们的观点提供强有力的理由和证据。你也可以成为变革者！

On Monday this week, G4/5 FIP class went to a local retirement house, and it was a truly special day for the class spending time with the community. Engaging activities like origami, sharing moments of joy, and singing together created an atmosphere of warmth and connection that are truly memorable for our students.

Reflecting on the value of community service is an integral part of our learning process. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from others as much as we give our time to them. We hope for our students to realize that growing old is a gift. This event is a testament to the importance of sharing learning and celebrating with old people.

这周的星期一，G4/5 FIP 班级去了当地的一家养老院，这对于班级与社区共度时光来说是一个真正特别的日子。折纸、分享欢乐时刻和一起唱歌等参与活动营造了一种温暖和联系的氛围，让我们的学生真正难忘。

思考社区服务的价值是我们学习过程中不可或缺的一部分。我们很感激有机会向他人学习，就像我们为他们付出时间一样。我们希望我们的学生意识到变老是一份礼物。这次活动证明了与老年人分享学习和庆祝的重要性。

We are grateful to all of you who supported the FIP's fundraising event by attending our concert and giving your donation. We have now raised more than 12,000 RMB that will be sent to those who are in dire need of economic assistance. Until next year!

Enjoy a snapshot of today's Spirit Day! Thanks, STUCO, for organizing the cocoa!

我们感谢所有通过参加我们的音乐会并捐款来支持 FIP 筹款活动的人们。目前我们已筹集到12000多人民币，将送往那些急需经济援助的人们手中。直到明年！

欣赏今天的主题精神日快照！谢谢 STUCO 学生会组织的可可！

Celebrating Learning in Prek1

庆祝 Prek1 的学习