Tuning in into new unit: Construction Dynamix

Students were given PLACEMATS with images of different environments such as desert, snow, etc. With the given resources, students in groups created houses appropriate for that environment. As you can see from the pictures, students displayed creativity and logic to make apt structures. Each student contributed to the group by taking on a role such as resource manager, discussion manager, recording manager, etc. The houses showcase students' knowledge about the world around them and their skills in optimising the resources provided.

Students later reflected on what they think they will learn in this unit and wrote central ideas of their own. It is indeed amazing, how close they were to the Central Idea of the unit.
Construction Dynamix tuning in!!

Construction Dynamix Tuning in

Research sites-climatic zones

https://10.1.0.3/owa/redir.aspx?URL=http%3a%2f%2f42explore.com%2fpolar.htm
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/polar/polar_north.html
http://www.allcountries.eu/polarregions.html
http://kids.britannica.com/comptons/article-198803/climate
http://www.globio.org/glossopedia/article.aspx?art_id=6
http://www.enviropedia.org.uk/Climate/Tropical_Climate.php
http://www.enviropedia.org.uk/Climate/Mediterranean_Climate.php
http://www.globalshiksha.com/content/mediterranean-climate-definition
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/de/Desert_climate
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/geography/saharadesert.htm
http://www.globio.org/glossopedia/article.aspx?art_id=3
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/education/kids/weather_words_temperate.html

HW links 5th Jan - 10th Jan

http://www.aaamath.com/div66_x2.htm
http://www.aaamath.com/div66_x3.htm
http://www.aaamath.com/div66_x5.htm
http://www.aaamath.com/div66_x9.htm

Reading Challenge

Reading Challenge!!!!

PYP students accepted a challenge to read 1500 books over a 6 week period (from Sept 17th to Oct 27th) and I am proud to say, we have far surpassed it, infact doubled it and with good measure at 3, 287 book :) This exercise has given us a snapshot of the amount of reading being done in PYP and opened our eyes to the voracious appetitie for books at Indus PYP.
For the higher grades 3-5, book reviews written for books read were counted. Students of these grades have in fact, read more more books that they have not written reviews for. These book reviews are evidence of the students' understanding and their reflections on literature, and one can safely conclude that our students are marching towards improved inferential reading through these consistent practices. For the younger grades, it is heartening to see the large number of books are being read to our little ones, starting in Reception.

Grade 4A,B,C and D with a total of 78 students wrote 413 book reviews in 6 weeks, apart from other books read for the love of reading!!!
Congratulations Grade 4! Well Done!!

Survival cooking!!

Students loved the simple fare of rice and vegetables made in the survival cooking demo and licked it clean:)

Cimbing structures!!

Students taking risks on the climbing structures and testing their mettle!!

Leadership camp

On Dec 1-3, 2010, Grade 4 students left for the hills of Yellagiri to Indus' own Leadership Camp. It was an experience in independance and self reliance as well as peer reliance for our students and an opportunity for experincing life with only the important neccessities.
The rain added an extra element of complexity which most students took in their stride in an impressive manner.
The trek, climbing structures, group games, bonfire, survival cooking demo, dormitory style sleeping arrangements, generally elicited an enthusiastic response from students. The pictures are testimony to that fact:)
Overall the experience was fun, very different from normal routines of most students, and close to nature. We saw many students reaching out and helping their peers in very touching ways.

Click on the following album to view Leadership camp Photos

Leadership Camp