Sharing the Read-a-Thon with our EC Reading Buddies

Last Friday IST had a Read-a-Thon to celebrate our 50th Birthday. Yea! The celebration continues. After talking with Ms. Jane and my class, we thought it would be fun to read in the EC quad with our Reading Buddies.

It was such a fun morning! The kids grabbed their blankets, pillows, stuffed animals and favorite book before heading out the door to do some serious (but fun) reading. My kids reflected afterwards that it was a wonderful morning and it was even better because the small EC kids seemed to be getting more comfortable with them. (I think they forget what it was like when they were 3 and 4 years old!) Can't wait for the next time we hang out. Thanks Reading Buddies!

 

Go Ducks!

One thing I truly miss is American football in the fall weather. I get homesick this time of year when I see all of the pictures and posts my friends create about my college teams' football games. I went to school at the University of Oregon (a wonderful school for education studies, in case you are wondering) and our colors are green and yellow. This past month, I tricked my third graders into wearing my university colors for our assembly.... Go Ducks!

 

IST's 50th Birthday Celebration

Today IST turned 50 and we celebrated the best way possible.... by hosting International Day and eating cake! Here are some photos from the fun-filled event!

Tanzania Booth

Two of our students enjoying the England booth

Sitting on ice in Sweden

Mr. Alton playing a Japanese game similar to Pin the Tail on the Donkey

My friend Gillian and her son from secondary school

Two of my students from last year!

The Grade 3 Team

Parade of Nations

South Africa in the Parade of Nations

Tanzania in the Parade of Nations

 

Stomach Muscles in Action

 Last week, we learned all about the digestive system. One of our activities showed how stomach acid helps break down the food in the stomach with the help of the stomach muscles. We "chewed" up our food, put it in our "stomach," added some "stomach acid" and used our muscles to break down the food. The kids saw how the liquid helps break down the food into smaller pieces and enables it to be passed down into the small intestine through a valve. They also found that some foods break down more quickly in the liquid and others take more time.

While there were some "eww gross" faces and comments, overall, the kids were excited to give the activity a try. Check out the pictures!

 

Field Trip: Glass Bottom Boat

Last week Grade 3 just finished our PYP Sharing the Planet: Water Unit and we capped it off with a field trip to The Slipway to ride on the Glass Bottom Boat. With all of the rain we have been having I crossed my fingers while we headed out on the buses to catch low tide. Everything was perfect when we got there. The water was low, the life-jackets were tight, our eyes were ready and the fish were abundant.
We went with the idea to not only observe the wildlife in the sea but also how much pollution is in the water right off of the peninsula. I am happy to report that we actually did not see too much of it. When we returned to the doc there was a little trash circle of plastic hanging out on the surface of the water, but it wasn't too bad.
All in all, it was a great trip. As one of the students enthusiastically exclaimed, "Ms. Rorey, that was way better than I expected."

 

Team Work for Conservation

The final project for our PYP Sharing the Planet: Water Unit required students to come up with a project of their choice to demonstrate their understanding of water conservation. Many students chose to work with partners or a group to show their learning. We had a few picture books, a some poster projects, a few games, two plays and some Powerpoint presentations. Overall, the projects turned out splendidly and splashingly.

What I was most impressed with was the amount of cooperation and teamwork it took to put these projects together. Even if a student worked alone on a project, they received help from teams that were already finished. There were kind words, pleases and thank yous, smiles, negotiating and compromising. These kids really have learned so many skills this year. Here are some photos to demonstrate the collaboration that occurred to pull these projects off. Wonderful 3R!

 

Planting in the IST Grade 3 Garden

While I was out sick yesterday with a headache and sore throat, the kids and Irene got to plant our garden with our Resident Gardener Frank. Yes, Frank is our transport manager at IST, but did you know he also runs his own farm? How cool. He picked up some manure and seeds from his farm and brought in so Grade 3 could get their garden started. The kids rolled up their sleeves, and pant legs and left their shoes on the sidewalk. They were ready to plant. I want to send out a special thanks to Irene for taking the photos... now I feel like I can experience it too, with all of you.