Science Fair 2015, 24th September

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1 Volume 8 Week of 21st September, 2015 Reflections Middle School Grade 7 Science Fair 2015, 24th September Science Fair, held annually at Pathways, is an integral part of the curriculum for the Sciences in MYP, focusing largely on Inquiring and Designing (Criteria B) and Processing and Evaluation (Criteria C). It revolves around the concept of scientific method, with inquiry being heart of the matter. Students are oriented towards the purpose and approach of scientific method from time to time in Science classes, beginning with MYP-Year 1. This year, the exhibition of Science Fair projects was organized on 24 th September, The work of students from the Years 1, 2, and 3 was presented on wooden boards, along with supporting models and journals. This Year, the ATL skills that came out strongly across the work of all students were the skills of Communication, Collaboration and Reflection. Students were able to identify and share the achievement of IB learner profile through their work. Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science. Students began their work in pairs towards the science fair by listing down, from the observations in their daily life, all that makes them wonder. They were encouraged to think on the lines of How and Why of the natural world, rather than the What, so as to lay emphasis on concept and not merely facts. Following this, they got down to brainstorming with teachers, peers and family members, and doing background research to finally come up with one problem question. A problem well put is half solved. While defining the question, the students were asked to break their problem into parts, and then conduct an inquiry along each line.

2 On the basis of their existing understanding and basic research, they framed a suitable hypothesis-a scientific prediction, as an answer to their question. The sub-parts of the big question became their lines of inquiry and they planned a procedure for finding answers to their question. Depending on the question, the students conducted research and collected relevant information from internet, school library, newspaper, textbooks, other books, and in several cases, through surveys and interviews. For the survey, the questionnaires were prepared by them to study the experiences of a group of people towards a problem area. Also, in some cases, experiments were designed and conducted to test their hypothesis. Whatever be the source of information, the idea was to seek an appropriate and scientifically acceptable answer to the question. Communication of information being yet another skill, the information was represented in a text-light manner, using graphic organizers-mind maps, flow charts, pie charts, tables, classification charts, etc., and was supported by relevant visuals, pictures, diagrams and cartoons. This helped them put things together and develop a wider perspective, and thereby interpret and analyze the content. We do not learn from experience...we learn from reflecting on experience. In the end, they commented on their hypothesis-whether it was framed correctly, incorrectly or partially correct, and their learning along the process as conclusion of the project. On the basis of their experience, they assigned interesting titles to their project. Why fire burns with different colour? Why do we have Déjà vu? Is Time travel possible? Do aliens exist on earth? Why does the body shrink as one grows (ages)? These were some of the questions explored this year, apart from interesting presentation styles. From launching of self-created rockets in the mosaic atrium of school, display of small skit presentation, eye-catching self-disguise, to real life application of concepts at home & hands-on experiments to explain a concept-students surely kept alive the spirit of inquiry through their work. It was indeed, a pleasure to see the students working on their display boards-starting from selecting the colour codes of background paper for their board, to getting the board ready by pasting the aesthetically done borders, interesting cartoons, vivid graphics and interesting facts on their topic. It was a delight to watch them helping each other in carrying material and in clearing the workstation. The exhibition of students work is a way of celebrating yet another milestone reached by our students in their journey as a learner. It is also a huge opportunity for them to appreciate the work done by their fellow students in different classes across the school. As for the parents and the teachers, it was our Aha moment- watching the children present their work with pride and confidence! As our Science fair logo says- Keep it Burning Tathastu! (~So be it) Varsha Sinha Science Faculty-Biology MYP

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4 Parent Orientation Sessions Camp Orientation for Grade 7 and Grade 8 Parents The parents of grade 7 and 8 were invited for an orientation session with the camp organiser Mr. RobinGoyal from Youreka. Grade 7 camp is to Sitlakhet and grade 8 will be going to Tirathen. Mr. Robin Goyal spoke about the camp activities, transportation and safety issues. We will send the Kit list and detailed itinerary shortly. Grade 6 parent s orientation to reiterate the assessments in the MYP. This was a follow up of the session we had on the form day on 28h July. Ms. Rashima, the MYPC went through the entire presentation where she took one Math unit plan on Data Handling. She discussed the Key concepts, related concepts, global contexts, statement of inquiry and the inquiry questions. She explained how the formatives leads to the unit end summative and how teaching learning leads to the formative. She also explained the assessment criteria and how all assessments are authentic and related to real life situation. The focus was on backward by design and how teachers first identify the learning objectives for the unit and then design the summative assessment. This was followed by questions answer session where all parent s queries were addressed. Reflection Value Education Classes To educate the man in mind and not in morals is to educate a meance to society Sessions on value education have been conducted in Middle School. Led by Ms. Shweta Narma, Ms. Samudha Arya and Ms. Prachi Aggarwal these sessions bring out the essence of morals, that trigger the good qualities within us. Each section was introduced to these morals through a power point presentation accompanied by a video, walking us through the varied life skills that would be useful in the near future. These include: sincerity, integrity, responsibility and respect and how NOT to have expectations. These sessions are a time of selfrealization and reflection. Short yet engaging activities were directed in order to help each individual towards character development by bringing out our personality traits; but most importantly, guiding each student on the right path to facilitate them to become more independent as they grow! Mira Maheshwari, Grade VIII D Sanskriti Kohli, Grade VIII B

5 Language and Literature: Ms. Indu Class discussion and a thorough annotation of The Ode to Socks of formative 2 a brief outline of the history of ode How is sound connected to the rhythm of a poem? Completion of the unit, followed by the summative annotated Alexander Pope's Sound and Sense with a concentration on the 'sound' aspect to highlight the internal rhythm Language and Literature: Ms. Alisha Types of satire were discussed Annotation of the poem 'Sound and Sense' by Alexander Pope How does Ode, Satire and Haiku change with respect to Space and Time? Completion of the unit, followed by the summative Revisited the Global Context and SOI of the unit Language Acquisition: Ms. Ruchi Formative 1 What is the purpose of writing Understanding Odes continues Introduction to odes an Ode? Individual and Societies: Ms. Tanwinder Discussion on newspaper article-india being the most populous country by Inquiry about Census Factors affecting Population Individual and Societies: Ms. Alka Students discussed about meaning and causes of conflicts. Inquiry about circumstances leading to conflicts. Conduct case studies of 9th and 12th century Europe learn about power and conflict.

6 Language Acquisition: Mr. Utkarsh Formative assessments Students read a text on Spanish cities Cultural identity of a nation is reflected in its language Summative assessment Introduction to the new unit and monuments. Language Acquisition: Ms. Shivani Formative assessments Cultural identity of a nation is reflected in its language Summative assessment Introduction to the new unit Language Acquisition: Ms. Swati Week gone by Formative assessment. summative assessments Cultural identity of a nation is reflected in its language Summative assessment Introduction to the new unit Language Acquisition: Ms. Garima Students will continue with Summative Summative assessment will be continued. assessment Ab initio - Hindi -Ms. Suman Yadav Practiced o and oo matras and did worksheets Use of bindu in Hindi language The students have inquired about the usage of o, oo matra in Hindi language. Introduction of ooo, ou and ri matras practice worksheets were done by the students.

7 Mathematics: Ms. Ratnika Introduction to Ratios and Proportions Mathematics: Ms. Shikha Application of ratios in real life context Summative assessment task 1 Introduction to task 2 Summative assessment of the unit (Criteria A) Summative assessment of the unit (Criteria B, C, D) Mathematics: Mr. Amit Summative assessment task 1 Summative assessment task 2 Mathematics: Mr. Snehil Summative assessment task 1 Summative assessment task 1 continued. Introduction to task 2 Digital Design: Ms. Poonam Students worked on criteria C and are about to complete their digital fables. Discussion and working on criteria D of the summative. Biology: Ms. Varsha Cell discovery, invention of microscope, Contribution of scientific study of cells, PowerPoint Presentation based assessment on comprehension of factual knowledge. How has scientific and technical innovation supported discovery of cell? Projections for the week: Classification of diverse life forms on the basis of type of cells parts of Eukaryotic cells

8 Chemistry: Ms. Aakansha Discussion around the history of atom How did the concept came into picture? Inquiry into position and motion of an object Formative-1. We will continue with the theories behind structure of atom. Different theories on structure of atom. Physics: Ms. Preeti Distance and displacement Inquiry into position and motion of an object We will continue with motion of an object Formative assessment Scalars and vectors Drama: Mr. Santanu Summative: Criterion B & D: Performance of a scene from Macbeth Reflection Task How to develop an enactment in Group? Reflection & Evidence Collection Dance: Mr. Sanjeevan Summative: Criteria A/B/C/D World Dance. Revision of the old routines.

9 Music: Mr. Haokip formative : criterion B ( Developing skill ) Instrumental practice criterion C