ISY Elementary Blog
December Is Here
Sandy Sheppard , Elementary School Principal
2nd December, 2022
Dear all,
Thank you for your support of International Day; I am sure we can all agree that this was a fantastic event. Thank you all for participating in the planning meetings and getting your documents up to date. There is such wonderful teaching and learning happening in all our classes.
After the break we will have the annual Olympiad. Planning has started for this. Look out for more information.
The students did a great job with the unannounced fire drill.
Two weeks to go; hang in there! Have a great weekend.
THANK YOU
Sandy
INCLUSIVE PRACTICES
Inclusive practices help all students learn. This does not mean making learning ‘easy.’ Make it simple, for example, by focusing on giving clear step-by-step instructions. This sounds almost too simple, but it will help students have a better chance of learning skills. Inclusive practices don’t need to be complicated to work. This article Making Learning Simpler, not Easier makes the point it is better if they are as simple as possible and if we find a practice that works, keep using it!
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
The SDGs are universal goals for all people and are inherently global in nature. Learning about these initiatives helps students develop insights into critical issues around the world, such as lack of access to clean water and gender equality. These issues are inseparable from culture, and to truly understand the SDGs, students need to learn about the world around them.
In our increasingly interconnected world, we need to prepare the next generation to be global learners who are able to lead and thrive in the global marketplace. The SDGs engage students in practical goals and problem-solving by putting issues into relatable contexts.
We must encourage students to be active participants in their local and global communities to solve the biggest challenges the world faces today. When students become global leaders and have an appreciation for cultural differences, they see themselves as citizens of the world and take responsibility to enact change on a global scale.
poverty, hunger, and education, they begin to understand the unique challenges facing communities all over the world that they may not have known about before. This understanding fosters a sense of global connection and empathy for the earth as a whole.
Students need empathy to develop healthy relationships throughout their lives. By taking empathy and transforming it into action-based compassion, students can start community initiatives they are passionate about or get involved in local organizations that create change and unite our world.
Teachers do not need to be experts in topics such as responsible consumption or clean energy to teach the SDGs. They can learn and explore these issues alongside their students and plan ways to take action together. Once students have an understanding of the SDGs and why they are necessary, they will be inspired to make positive changes, in big and small ways.
From
Weeks, C (2021), Participate Learning Blog
FREE ONLINE COURSE:
Following on from Thursday’s SDG Workshop, here is a link to a very good free online course from EdX:
Transforming Our World: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
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What are the Sustainable Development Goals?
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How modern advancements and connectivity can help us achieve the goals
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The importance of sustainable development
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Why should you care about Sustainable Development Goals? Here are 4 Reasons to Teach the Sustainable Development Goals.
Quarter 1 & 2 Curriculum Planning
IMPORTANT
Planning Checklist for Quarter 1 and 2
To be completed before the break on December 16
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Q1 & 2 Curriculum Maps
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Q1 & 2 Scope & Sequence (incl. linking Shared Drive Planning)
Use this Planning Checklist for Quarter 1 and 2 for instructions.
Professional Growth Plans
Everything can be found on our ISY Faculty Pages.
Thank you all for completing your Professional Growth Plans.
Quarter 2 Colleague Observations / Assisted Reflections
For Quarter 2, please arrange for a colleague to observe you and help you reflect on your practice. It can be very effective to ask your colleague to provide feedback on your Professional Growth Plan focus.
Just make another copy of the Assisted Reflection Form in your Professional Growth Folder.
Observers, please remember to also complete the ISY Inclusive Practices Checklist (UDL: Engagement) at the top of the Assisted Reflection Form. This is an anonymous form that gives good school-wide data about the inclusive practices we are using.
DATES TO REMEMBER
2nd December – Movie Night
9th December – Broadway Music Event – 5PM – These are secondary students performing along with our ES Choir; all are welcome.
14th December – Holiday Bazaar, Grade 5 service learning project – more information to come
16th December – last day of school – this is a full day of school. There will be an assembly at the end of the day; this is where we will celebrate the holiday. Santa will visit the assembly.
Winter Holiday – December 19th – January 6th
20th January – Annual Olympiad event
TEACHER NOTICES
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Please join the Google chat group for daily quick messages as needed.
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We should be using recyclable cups, plates, and cutlery for any birthday parties, etc. Please collect a set to keep in your room. The items can be found in #107
DUTIES BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL
Monday – Ian, Saw John, Tuesday – Bekka, Mabel, Wednesday – Jono, Me Me, Thursday – Charlie, Swe Zin, Friday – Isabel, Ei Ei
NOTE – when there are no ASA’s afternoon duty can finish earlier.
Previous Elementary School Posts
Elementary School Faculty Blog – April 9, 2021
Thank you, Delphine. We appreciate all that you have done for us and our school.
Elementary School Faculty Blog – April 2, 2021
Each day this week has seen more emails from families preparing to leave Yangon and we expect that this will continue throughout this quarter.
Elementary School Faculty Blog – March 26, 2021
I have a tremendous amount of respect for you all. It means a lot to be part of this group and I think it will mean even more as time goes on.
Elementary School Faculty Blog – March 19, 2021
We might not feel like experts but today’s assembly was a chance to remind ourselves that we are now good at many things that we did not know how to do at all just a matter of months or weeks or days ago.
Elementary School Faculty Blog – March 12, 2021
The reality of the current situation can make finding the bright side difficult. But research shows that in difficult times, it is important for our mental health to allow ourselves to acknowledge that times are difficult and to feel rather than suppress negative emotions.
Elementary School Faculty Blog – March 5, 2021
We have long term, yearly, quarterly, monthly, and weekly plans but our planning and preparation has now taken more of a day by day focus. It will therefore need to be very fluid as we plan for our students’ safety and wellbeing, connectedness, and learning.
The International School Yangon
20 Shwe Taungyar Street
Bahan Township
Yangon, Myanmar
+95 1 512 793 /94 /95