September Newsletter 2015 - 2016
From the Principal We are a risk-taking community! When I started working as Principal for the Deutsche Schule Kobe I was surprised by the school's advocation of "risk takers." For me, risk-taking was always associated with risky and dangerous actions; for example, when I was a child my mother always told me not climb up trees. She said not to speed with my bicycle. She advised against many things because they were dangerous. Risk-taking was a negative thing. Why, then, do we want our students to be risk takers? You might not be aware of it, but we are a community of risk takers. Our families from abroad, you took the risk of starting new lives in a new country far from home. Our Japanese families, you took the risk of enrolling in a school community different from what you knew, opening yourself to new languages, expectations, and cultures. Our school has courage, because we are all risk takers. For our students, every day involves risk taking. Our educational program is based on personal responsibility, independence in problem solving, and interaction with peers of very different backgrounds. There is research that supports risk takers are more successful than their reserved peers. Risk takers are quicker in their language learning and have more confidence in their search for answers. Our school itself is a risk taker too. With starting a Middle School, we are taking risks, but together with the strength of our caring family-like culture, we can turn "risk" into "success" and provide more opportunities for the future. That is what makes our school unique. Lifelong learners need to be risk takers and are supported in our school through an environment that cares. When you have a look into our Blogs, that is what you see and that is something we strongly value. May you have beautiful hanami this Spring! Mit besten Grüßen / Best wishes Gerhard Lebherz, Schulleiter, Principal Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
Events - Celebration of Books
The children dressed up as a favourite character and thought about the IB learner profile they most represent: Communicator, Thinker, Caring, Principled, Risk Taker, Balanced, Inquirer, Knowledgeable, Open Minded, Reflective. We talked about why this character had this kind of Learner Profile. Finally, we had parade.
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
Early Years
Explosion of Colours The Students of Early Years showed their creative side and blew air through a straw onto various colours. The colours spread in all different directions leaving lots of magnum opus.
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
Pre School
Back from a week off, it took no time for Preschool to get back in the swing of things. A quick review of 3D shapes proved that Preschool were still up to date regarding cubes, cuboids, spheres, pyramids, cones and cylinders. They impressed with their ability to draw the six shapes and mastered naming and recognizing all of them successfully through playing 3D bingo. Putting 3D shapes to a rest, Preschool started their pattern journey by being part of an orchestra using rhythm, creativity, and mathematical knowledge to interpret ABAB, AABBAABB patterns. Like true muscians, they were principled and great team players. As the week continued Preschool made patterns out of fruits, explored the playground to make pattern prints, concluding that patterns can be found everywhere in our environment and everything can be used to make a pattern!
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
Grade 2
For the past few weeks, we have been exploring the world of poetry. During this language unit, we have been sharpening our skills to visualise while reading by using our five senses. On another note, we had character day to celebrate book week! Check out all of our costumes filled with enthusiasm and creativity!
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
Grade 3
In Math the students have been learning about how to read a grid; using coordinates and identifying rows and columns. After learning about the importance of this skill in reading maps; we also identified pictorial symbols we might encounter on maps. We went out on the playground and drew up a grid with a starting point and an end goal. On some of the grid spaces showed the challenge symbols and students physically stood on the grid to play this game based on the number they got on the die. The students used directions such as up, down, left and right in order to reach the goal. Well done to Eason and Noah for reaching the goal.
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
Grade 4
Arboretum Students visited the Arboretum as part of their unit inquiry. Students were tasked jigsaw task where they were given parts of an incomplete map which they had to complete.
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
Grade 5
Our field trip to Ueda Oils and Fats ‘This factory is about 100 years old now. We came here because we wanted to know about the chemical change that is happening to the oil. The chemical change was when the oil’s color and the smell is taken away. The factory was near the sea, and I think that it is dangerous because when the disaster comes near the factory, it might blow up and make the fire more big from the oil, and the oil might go in the sea. We went inside the factory and watched how the oil is made and how it is packaged. I had a lot of fun in the factory looking at the oil and how it is made.‘ - Jacob We went to Ueda oils factory. It was amazing looking at all sorts of things to make oils which we eat everyday. I never knew the MC Donald french fry and nugget’s oil was creamy!!! They made all sorts of oils for all sorts of things. I never knew palm oil was commonly used. The chemical change here was when they take smell and the color and heating it. The oil tank was GIANT!!! We also saw oils packaged. It was a fantastic trip. -Ryusei
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
Grade 6 & 7
Getting started with Taiko
Right before the February break middle schools started their Taiko unit with Kodama Sensei. He shared his over 40 years of taiko experience with the students and explained how to hit the drum properly. Learning the correct hitting technique combined with stance build the foundation to become a good taiko drummer. Based on that knowledge students were starting to create their own patterns combined with movements.
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org