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The Newsletter - March Edition 2012 - 2013 School Events Carnival Hinamatsuri Rokko Ski Ski Camp
From the Principal Dear Parents, This month we invite you to come and see how we celebrate books and work on Unit projects. Our Celebration of Books will highlight reading activities and showcase the school’s emphasis on
Class Activities - this month Kindergarten & Grade 1/2 ES Grade 5/6 ES - Action Grade 1/3 ES - Balls Grade VS/1/2 - EFL Whole School - Bewegte Schule PE & Swimming
Important Information Celebration of Books Project Week Oktoberfest Preparations Calendar PYP Information
literacy development. Many studies have pointed out the correlation between reading and academic success. Reading is also an important factor in the acquisition of vocabulary, thus helping the children to express themselves well. When children are read to or read themselves, they use their imagination, which stimulates their creativity. We hope you will enjoy our displays and talk with your child about the reading activities at school. Let me take this opportunity to once again thank the PTA and the parents who are helping us to create a quality school library. We are also grateful to donors who have sent us children’s books they do not need any longer.
This year’s Project Week will be a bit different from the Project Weeks of the past. Rather than working together on a whole school one week project we will give you a glimpse of how the children learn during their Unit lessons. The students will present projects which demonstrate what
Note: This newsletter reflects the exciting events
they have learned in their current Units. We hope you can attend their presentations! We are
and activities taking places in
looking forward to meeting with you.
some of the classes and
Best regards,
school. Each month we will showcase ‘authentic’ learning.
Ursula Shioji
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
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Rundbrief - März 2012 - 2013
Schulveranstaltungen Karneval Hinamatsuri Rokko Ski Skiwoche
Von der Schulleitung
Liebe Eltern, In diesem Monat laden wir Sie herzlich in die Schule ein, damit Sie sich anschauen können, wie wir die Freude am Lesen fördern und an Projekten der Erforschungseinheiten arbeiten.
Class Activities - this month Kindergarten & Gr. ES 1/2 Klasse ES 5/6 - Action Grade ES 1/3 - Balls Klasse VS/1/2 - Englisch Alle Klassen - Bewegte Schule Sport und Schwimmen
Unser Lesefest wird Leseaktivitäten hervorheben und die Schwerpunktlegung der Schule auf die Entwicklung von Lese- und Schreibkompetenzen deutlich machen. In vielen Studien wird der Zusammenhang zwischen dem Lesen und schulischem Erfolg hervorgehoben. Lesen ist auch ein wichtiger Faktor für den Wortschatzerwerb. Es hilft so den Kindern, sich gut auszudrücken. Wenn Kinder vorgelesen bekommen oder wenn sie selbst lesen, benutzen sie ihre Fantasie, was ihre Kreativität stimuliert. Wir hoffen, dass Ihnen unsere Ausstellungen gefallen und dass Sie mit Ihren
Wichtige Informationen Lesefest Projektwoche OktoberfestVorbereitungen Kalender PYP Information und Eltern mitwirkung
A n m e r ku n g : D i e s e r Rundbrief ermöglicht Ihnen einen Blick auf spannende Ereignisse und Ak<vitäten, die sich in einigen K l a s s e n r ä u m e n u n d i m Schulhaus abspielen. Jeden Monat präsen<eren wir Ihnen im Rundbrief ‚authen<sches Lernen.‘
Kindern über die Leseaktivitäten in der Schule sprechen. Ich möchte bei dieser Gelegenheit nochmals der PTA danken sowie den Eltern, die uns helfen eine Schulbücherei mit hoher Qualität aufzubauen. Wir sind auch all den Spendern dankbar, die uns Bücher geschickt haben, die ihre
Kinder nicht mehr benötigen. Dieses Jahr wird die Projektwoche etwas anders sein als in den vergangenen Jahren. Statt eine Woche lang an einem gemeinsamen Schulprojekt zu arbeiten, wollen wir Ihnen einen Einblick geben, wie die Kinder während ihrer Erforschungseinheiten lernen. Die Schülerinnen und Schüler werden Projekte präsentieren, die zeigen, was sie in ihren aktuellen Erforschungseinheiten gelernt haben. Wir hoffen, Sie können zu den Präsentationen kommen und freuen uns, Sie an der Schule zu sehen!
Herzliche Grüße
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
Ursula Shioji
Carnival
The Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten demonstrated a wonderful Venezia dance that the whole school had an opportunity to dance. With the pretty masks and vibrant costumes it was a thrilling opening to the Carnivale. Video of the Dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6WE1dc7juM
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
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School Events - Rokko Ski Kindergarten and Preschool took at trip to the Rokko Ski area to celebrate and find out more about winter and winter activities. The children enjoyed their wonderful winter day on the mountain.
Ryuki - Arvid and me! Ya h o o ! ! ! S l i d e o n snow!
Patrick - Snowman! Nieve cold! Hinoka - I ski and slide. Snow play and make snowman.
Pierre - Snow! Make snowman and throw snow with Ryuki
Minori - Sliding! So happy, so much fun!
Sena - Sena and Pierre playing slide on snow together.
Yuma - Yuma and panda hat! This is me, went ski! Cold, cold cold! Tarang - Snowy! It goed fast like that down the hill! All the wa y down t o Mr Mayer and then back up the hill again.
Sara - I cold!
Rina - Rokko Mountain sliding and snow play! Very, very cold!!! Gabriel - Too cold! Fast with Mr Mayer!
Junsei - Snow, snow, snow! Cold! Lisa - It was cold! Hands, nose, all cold!
Anika - It was very cold! Sledding down the hill!
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
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School Events Kindergarten and Preschool
On March 1st, Kindergarten and Preschool went to Shoei Kindergarten in Rokko to celebrate Hinamtsuri and the beginning of spring with the children of Shoei Kindergarten, a Chinese Kindergraten from Kobe and a Korean Kindergarten from Kobe. Each of the groups shared dances, songs and games and had a wonderful time together. We also were fortunate enough to hear "Hinamatsuri" and "Sakura" played on a traditional Japanese instrument called Koto. Here are some photos of the day and videos can be found on the school's facebook page. The event was also covered by the Kobe Shinbun and can be found at this link: http://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/kobe/ alacarte/201303/0005779480.shtml School Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dskobe.org
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
SKI CAMP - GRADE 3/4/5/6
The Hachikita trip was an exciting and fun filled trip. There were lots of activities during the day . In the evening it was time to warm up and eat Nabe. We also had a chance to write in our journals.
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
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Classroom Activities At DESK there is a long standing tradition between the Kindergarten and the European Grade 1/2 class, where the 1/2 children bring their reading books down to the Kindergarten and read with the children once every two weeks. However, this week we decided to change our session. Instead of "Reading Buddies" we had "Game Buddies" and instead of the grade 1/2 class leading the session, the Kindergarteners became the leaders of the session, in line with their current unit of inquiry on using play to express and communicate our feelings and ideas. The Kindergarten classrooms were set up with a variety of board games that they have been playing throughout their current unit. Grade 1/2 came down to the Kindergarten and were given a Kindergarten buddy. The Kindergarten children then took their partners to play the games. It was great to see the Kindergarten children explaining the games to the children.
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
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Classroom Activities Grade 5/6 ES
In the PYP, students are encouraged to ‘take action’ (or to consciously ‘decide not to take action’) as an outcome of their learning. Further to personal, local, and global action, another way to think about the types of action that students can take, one can consider the following four categories: • Direct Action – person to person • Indirect Action – benefits a community • Advocacy for Action – creating awareness • Research for Action – finding, gathering and reporting information Further Information: http://www.helptakeaction.com/
Environmental Action We are doing an experiment with a new type of composter. We put the waste from our own composter into the trays of the new composter. We put a new tray on top of the full one and put compost into the new tray. This is important because the weather is cold and the worms do not move fast. The worms are slow and the composter needs to hold more. We learnt that teamwork is fun and work is fun. If you do both together, it is very fun. By Ely 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
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Classroom activities Grade ES 1/2 & Grade DS VS/1/2
We asked lots of questions and discussed:
At the end of February the students found
- Why do we need a ball?
that they could not access any of the balls
- What do we use it for?
on the playground. The students had to
- What can’t we do anymore if we don’t
make a plan on what they could do instead
Bounce
without this everyday resource.
Roll
have it?
Be Kickable Be Catchable Be Safe So it can move easily for people to play games
We started asking more questions. Balloons, plastic
From our questions and discussions, we made a plan to make our own balls. We made a list of materials needed and began the process of making our balls. After we
bags, paper, cotton, string, tape, glue
What does a ball need to do? Why does it need to do it? What materials can we use to make a ball?
Central Idea: Our actions affect the Earth’s Resources and people.
made our balls, we experimented and discussed how balls are different. Some bounce, some are better for throwing and others are best for kicking. When the upper grades returned from their w i n t e r t r i p , t h ey b e g a n u s i n g o u r homemade balls. The students have been creative and coming up with new games and activities using these balls. This has been a good opportunity for the students to be without an everyday resource at school
Grade 1/2 !00 day Celebration Link
http://goo.gl/tnGv7
and come up with some new ones. 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
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Classroom activities EFL
Shapes The
and Colours.
students used different colours and shapes to create a unique art piece.
DS VS/1/2 class learnt a variety of shapes and colours during their lessons.
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
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School wide activities As part of the Bewegte Schule - School in Motion initiative we have purchased a ‘Rock Pod’ that allows the students to choose and play music in their breaks and lunchtimes. The initiative has at its core these elements: Learning by moving Learning with movement Learning through movement The playtime and lunchtime breaks are further opportunities for the students to hear and respond to music of all genres.
The Rock Pod is very portable. It can be wheeled out to
Students can access the song playlist themselves
where it is needed and set up in seconds. The new school iPod is building a bank of music that the students can access. The DJ Tech runs from a rechargeable battery.
Wet Play time becomes a synchronized dance time!!!
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
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Classroom activities PE and Swimming
The swimming program is designed to develop and extend the students’ swimming ability as well as being taught how to be safe in and around pools. The Grade 1/2 Class is split into two groups: With Mrs. O’Neill they are building up their confidence in the water as well as working on basic strokes, gliding, floating and general water safety. With Mr. Mayer they are fine tuning their strokes as well as learning news ones while building up their endurance.
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
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Events Celebration of Books
4th - 8th of March
The theme of our Celebration of books is to look at the Learner profile and for the students to identify and reflective on the profiles displayed in the book they read. During the week the school community will find connections to the Learner Profile and the stories they read. On the final day the children will be asked to dress up as a favourite character from a story and reflect on the Learner Profile this character portrays. Learner Profile: Thinker, Inquirer, Caring, Reflective, Balanced, Risk Taker, Principled, Open minded, Communicator, Knowledgeable For example: After reading a book, spend some time considering how the people in the book acted. Was someone in the book caring? All of the time or just some of the time? Were all of the characters in the book caring or just some of them? Some books to consider: Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse, Kevin Henkes
Project Week
18th - 22nd of March
The Project week this year will focus on showcasing the learning that is happening in the Unit of Inquiry. It will be an opportunity for all the students to participate in creating a variety of presentations that can be shared with the parent community and peers. It will offer the students a chance to create a ‘Mini Exhibition’ of their ideas and knowledge on their class inquiries. On the Friday, 22nd of March parents will be invited to come to look around the school and view the presentations and work the students have made. Please look out for the Project week letter that will have more information. 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
Oktoberfest Preparations
Dear Parents, We need you! 2013 we will celebrate Oktoberfest again, it has become an integral part of our school tradition. Last year we celebrated our 60th Oktoberfest and it was successful in many ways. Besides delicious food and drinks, great music, perfect weather and lots of fun we generated a profit of 1,500,000 Yen. We donated a major share of the money to the school to improve the accessibility to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and invest in further 21st Century technologies. In addition, the PTA used the money support a number of the school events including St. Martin and the Schoolsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Christmas Market. These events provided unforgettable experiences for the students and wider school community. The Oktoberfest team has already begun to prepare for this year's festival. The date is now set on Saturday, 19th O c t o b e r 2 0 1 3 . H o w e v e r, t h e Oktoberfest team is still looking for support to create nine working groups: Public Relations, Sponsoring, Music, Tombola, Decoration/Entrance, Kids Room, Drink, Cake and Food. You are interested, aren't you? Then, please contact us directly at the school or email the following addresses. marketing@dskobe.org or mableleung@i.softbank.jp. You may also stop by at our next team meeting in the school on Monday, 15th April at 9 am in room 4. A great chance to share ideas and to get to k n o w e a c h o t h e r. E v e r y b o d y i s welcome! The Oktoberfest last year has shown that if everyone at our school parents, teachers, staff and students work together, we can make the Festival a huge success. We are already thinking about how to invest this year's funds: Enhancing our playground area for our students. To develop around and outside the school further creative movement opportunities for the students. Thank you for your always support. We hope to see you on April 15th. We need you! Warm regards, have a wonderful Spring Break. Your Oktoberfest team
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Kalender Wich%ge Ereignisse und Ak%vitäten im März 1
Fr
Besuch im Shoei Kindergarten (Pre‐KG – Vorschule)
4
Mo
Lesefest
5 6 7
Di Mi Do
8 18
Fr Mo
19 Di 20 Mi 21 Do 22 Fr 25. März – 1. Apr. 2013
Lesefest Lesefest Lesefest Fußballspiel gegen RIS Lesefest Projektwoche Kein Schwimmunterricht Vorstandssitzung Projektwoche Projektwoche Projektwoche Projektwoche Frühlingsferien
2 3
Di Mi
Wich%ge Daten im April Erster Schultag nach den Frühlingsferien Ostereiersuche (KG)
24
Mi
Assembly (DS 1/2)
25
Do
Pyjama‐Party (Vorschule und Klassen 1 und 2)
29. April – 7. Mai
Goldene Woche
8 15
Mi Mi
25
Sa
Wich%ge Daten im Mai Erster Schultag nach derGoldenen Woche Tag der Offenen Tür Interna<onal Kids’ Day
29
Mi
Assembly (ES 1/2)
29. April – 7. Mai
Goldene Woche
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
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Calendar Important Events and Activities in March 1
Fri
Shoei Kindergarten Visit (KG and Preschool)
4
Mon
Celebration of Books
5 6 7
Tue Wed Thu
8
Fri
Celebration of Books Celebration of Books Celebration of Books Soccer against RIS Celebration of Books
18
Mon
Project Week No swimming lessons Board Meeting
19
Tue
Project Week
20
Wed
Project Week
21
Thu
Project Week
22
Fri
Project Week
March 25 – Apr. 1, 2013
Spring Holidays Important Dates in April
2
Tue
First day of school after the Spring Holidays
3
Wed
Easter Egg Hunt (KG)
24
Wed
Assembly (DS 1/2)
25
Thu
Sleep over (Preschool, grades 1/2)
April 29 – May 7
Golden Week
8 15
Wed Wed
25
Sat
Important Dates in May First day of school after Golden Week Open Day International Kids’ Day
29
Wed
Assembly (ES 1/2)
April 29 – May 7
Golden Week
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
PYP Information and Parent Involvement Review of the Mission Statement We wish to develop a new Mission Statement that reflects the school’s aims, values and philosophy. This is in keeping with the IB evaluation we had in 2010 and it was a recommendation to review our current Mission Statement. As a school community we wish to invite all the stakeholders: students, parents, school board and staff to have a voice in creating a new Mission Statement together. To this end we will be sending out a Parent form to allow you to express your opinion and ideas about what the mission statement should incorporate. Please spend some time to contribute 3 words/phrases that reflect your personal feeling about the schools mission. You can also contribute further thoughts in a larger text box. There will be a physical post box as well to add contributions (in Foyer). We will be emailing the parent form soon.
Parent Workshops We will be offering a Parent PYP workshop soon and would like parent and school community input on any burning questions or information that is needed to help you understand the program. This information will allow the workshop to be tailored to specific areas. For example:
How are the subjects of mathematics and language connected to the Units of Inquiry?
We will also be offering a more informal Coffee ‘n’ Cake discussion that will allow for Questions and Answers in a more relaxed setting.
The new look Newsletter offers a snapshot of the Inquiry process in the classes and often has the Inquiry process and the concepts fleshed out with students work. There is also a back page in the Newsletter called ‘PYP Information’ that provides more general information about the Primary Years Programme and the Inquiry process. It has also connected to examples from the classroom to show the authentic inquiry process. IBtv - International Baccalaureate Television The International Baccalaureate also have an interesting Internet TV channel called IBtv. It can be found here: http://blogs.ibo.org/ibtv/ Please browse through these videos as they are very informative. Particularly on the videos related to the IB Mission and Values. The following video on the Learner Profile showcases the role they play in driving the IBO mission statement through Action. The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. Learner Profile activities for parents http://schools.roundrockisd.org/chandleroaks/LP_IB/IB%20Learner%20Profile