May Newsletter by Mark White

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School Events Sleepover Koinobori Swimmy Project Wake up Shake up

The Newsletter - May Edition 2012 - 2013 From the Principal Dear Parents,

Class Activities - this month Grade ES & DS 3/4 Sakura Art Pre Kindergarten Kindergarten - Where are we from? Grade ES 3/4 Music Grade ES & DS 5/6 - The Art of Mimicry/Gallery

Important Information Calendar PYP Information & Parent Information

Note: This newsletter reflects the exciting events and activities taking places in some of the classes and school. Each month we will showcase ‘authentic’ learning.

Time flies and we have only about two more months le8 in the school year of 2012/2013. As every  year the month of May is a Cme when we reach out to the community by parCcipaCng in annual  local events. The school’s presence at the Rokko Island Welcome FesCval has become a tradiCon,  thanks to the commitment of Board members, the PTA and many parents. Visitors to the fesCval get  a taste of home‐made cakes and German drinks and also, very importantly, informaCon about the  school. Perhaps best of all, the proceeds from the cake sale are donated to the school’s aid project,  the Fujinosono children’s home in Iwate. StarCng in 2011, the year when the Tohoku disaster struck,  DESK has extended a helping hand to the Fujinosono children, donaCng 200,000 yen every year and  so supporCng their efforts to build a new home a8er the old one was damaged by the earthquake.  In her leWers Sr. Caelina, the director of the home, has stressed how grateful she is for our conCnued  support. As the principal I would like to express my thanks to all those who worked so hard for the  charity bake sale as well as for promoCng the school at the Rokko Island Welcome FesCval on April  28 and 29. The second annual community event on Rokko Island our school parCcipates in is the InternaConal  Kids’ Day. This year the event will take place on May 25 and will also commemorate the 25th  anniversary of Rokko Island. The theme is Celebrate, Collaborate and Create. Many different  organizaCons will prepare fun acCviCes for children. Our school will offer stage performances as well  as an obstacle course for kids and a seed planCng acCvity. Shortly a8er InternaConal Kids’ Day we will hold an informaCon session (on Wednesday, April 29  from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) to inform you about developments for the next school year. If you have  any quesCons and concerns which you would like to be addressed at the session, please feel free to  contact us at mail@dskobe.org or principal@dskobe.org.                                                                                                                Best regards,                                                                                                                                                      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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Schulveranstaltungen Sleepover Koinobori Swimmy Project Wake up Shake up

Rundbrief - Mai 2012 - 2013 Von der Schulleitung  Liebe Eltern,

Klassenaktivitäten in diesem Monat Grade ES & DS 3/4 Sakura Art Pre Kindergarten Kindergarten - Where are we from? Grade ES 3/4 Music Grade ES & DS 5/6 - The Art of Mimicry/Gallery

Wichtige Informationen Kalender PYP Information & Parent Information

A n m e r ku n g :  D i e s e r  Rundbrief  ermöglicht  Ihnen  einen  Blick  auf  spannende  Ereignisse  und AkCvitäten, 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  präsenCeren wir  Ihnen  im  Rundbrief  ‚authenCsches  Lernen.‘

die Zeit vergeht im Fluge und wir haben nur noch zwei Monate im Schuljahr 2012/2013 übrig. Wie in jedem  Jahr  ist  der  Mai ein  Monat, in dem  wir  uns auch  durch  die  Teilnahme an  jährlich  stalindenden  lokalen  Veranstaltungen  an  die  Öffentlichkeit  wenden. Die  Präsenz  der  Schule  auf  dem  Rokko  Island  Welcome  FesCval  ist  dank  des  Engagements  von  Vorstandsmitgliedern,  der  PTA  und  vielen  Eltern  zur  TradiCon  geworden. Besucher  des FesCvals können selbst  gebackene Kuchen und deutsche Getränke probieren und  auch  – was sehr wichCg ist  – InformaConen  über die Schule bekommen. Vielleicht  das Beste von  allem ist  jedoch, dass der Erlös aus dem Kuchenverkauf für  das Hilfsprojekt der  Schule, das Fujinosono‐Kinderheim   in  Iwate,  gespendet  wird.  Seit  dem  Jahr  2011,  dem  Jahr  der  Tohoku‐Katastrophe,  unterstützt  DESK  die  Kinder  des  Fujinosono‐Kinderheims  mit  einer  Spende  von  jährlich  200,000  Yen,  um  ihnen  bei  dem  Bemühen  um  die  Finanzierung  des  Kinderheimneubaus  zu  helfen,  nachdem  der  alte  Bau  durch  das  Erdbeben unbewohnbar wurde. In  jedem ihrer Briefe hat  Sr. Caelina, die Leiterin  des Heims, geschrieben,  wie dankbar sie für unsere konCnuierliche Unterstützung ist. Als Schulleiterin möchte ich an dieser Stelle all  jenen  danken,  die  für  den  Kuchenspendenverkauf  und  die  Förderung  der  Schule  auf  dem  Rokko  Island  Welcome FesCval am 28. und 29. April so fleißig gearbeitet haben. Die zweite jährliche öffentliche Veranstaltung auf Rokko Island, an der unsere Schule teilnimmt, ist der  InternaConal Kids’ Day. In diesem Jahr findet er am 25. Mai staW und wird auch an den 25. Geburtstag von  Rokko Island erinnern. Das Thema ist “Celebrate, Collaborate and Create” (“Feiern, zusammenarbeiten und  schöpferisch täCg sein“).  Viele verschiedene OrganisaConen werden AkCvitäten vorbereiten, die Kindern  Spaß machen. Unsere Schule wird neben Vorführungen auf der Bühne einen Hindernis‐Parcours für Kinder  und eine PflanzakCon anbieten.  Bald nach dem InternaConal Kids’ Day werden wir eine InformaConsveranstaltung (am MiWwoch, dem  29.April von 16.00 bis 17.00 Uhr) halten, um Sie über Entwicklungen im Hinblick auf das nächste Schuljahr  zu unterrichten. Wenn Sie Fragen oder Anliegen haben, von denen Sie wünschen, dass sie auf der  Veranstaltung  angesprochen werden, zögern Sie biWe nicht, uns unter mail@dskobe.org oder  principal@dskobe.org zu kontakCeren.                                                                                                                                                                                   Herzliche Grüße           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

School Events - SLeepover/Pyjamaparty Preschool and Gr1/2 had an exciting time at the sleepover. The students prepared their own salad to eat for their table. After the evening meal there was lots of fun activities for everyone. We had an evening stroll on River Mall and played fun games with the torches. After that we heard a nice story. Finally it was time to go to bed....We slept in the library and our classrooms. The next day we had a healthy breakfast to get us ready for the day. Yummy food - Fresh salad, pasta and sausages.

Sleepy time- Time to have a good night’s sleep

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 - Koinobori Swimmy Project The children at Deutsche Schule Kobe/European School all participated in 'Kobe Swimmy Project' to make messages of support and love for the people of Tohoku. They wrote their messages onto a huge Koinobori which was hung at the Mayafuto Wharf, Kobe. From there it was then sent to Tohoku. Kobe Swimmy Link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nzC3trWqbM&noredirect=1

http://www.facebook.com/kobeswimmyproject

Swimmy in Tohoku

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 - Wake up shake up Preschool ES & DS

It was a nice warm sunny day and Preschool decided by themselves to show everyone at Break time how to do Wake up Shake up. They were very coordinated and had learned the dance steps perfectly. There were a few of the other students dancing with them. They enjoyed being in the spotlight and dancing to the music on the portable ‘rock pod’. Well done Preschool!!!

Preschool Lead Wake up Shake up Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nqtJb2qK7Q

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 3/4 ES & DS -Sakura Art

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 Pre Kindergarten

Pre‐Kindergarten had a  lot of new children join  the class. We have been working  together and developing  our ﬁne and gross motor  skills with our new  friends! Sosuke

Leon

Rinka

Alana and Ichita

Elise and Luna and Mai

Mai

Junpei

Keiko

Rana

Shuya

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

Samuele - Italia!

Gabriel - We put a photo on map show children from France, Italy, Japan.... everywhere! We can all do because we come from here and here and here. Many, many place. But here, Japan everyone together, same.

Ryuki - Map of here and here and here! Many place!

We come from all over the world

Sara - This Sara! Mummy Japan, Daddy Belgi!

Anika - Me finding Philippines!

Junsei - I stick picture of me on Japan, me from Japan.

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 - Music Grade 3/4 ES - Volcano Orchestra

We  saw the  video  of Hovhaness’s  Symphony  No.50 “  St.Helens”  as  a  reference.  First  we  tried  to  express  the  eruption  of   a  volcano  using  only  percussion  instruments.  This  resulted  with  just  loud  noise,  which  failed  to  express  the  tranquility  before  and  after  the  eruption.  So  we  decided  to  add  some  quiet  instruments e.g. xylophone, hand bell etc. Now we  can express  3 diﬀerent sound  contrasts. Also we realized that having a conductor will improve our performance,  who will help in controlling tempo, timing and dynamics  of our music. At last we  discussed about the position from acoustic and visual site. After the last rehearsal  everybody was clapping hands with a big smile!!!

まずアランホヴァネス作曲の交響曲50番をビデオでみて使う楽器を打楽器から選びました。でもそれでは単に大きな音、ノイズしか表現できないことに気づきました。噴火前の静けさ、激しい噴火、再び訪れる静けさという３つのコントラストをつくるために音量の低い楽器をいれてみました。また、練習中に指揮者がいるとその時々に演奏する楽器の選択、テンポ、ダイナミックスのコントロールをわかりやすく全員に伝え、皆をまとめることができ演奏しやすくなることにきづきました。最後に音響的、視覚的の両方からみて配置を決めました。こうした試行錯誤の末、最後のリハーサルの終わった時にはみんな、ビッグスマイルで拍手しました！！ Grade 3/4

http://youtu.be/c75YX2sxAFk

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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¨ Aktivitaten in der klasse Klasse 5/6 ES & DS

Kunst in Klasse 5/6 Um in  ihrem  Lebensraum  zu überleben, nutzen  Lebewesen die  Kunst der Tarnung. Unter  diesem Motto  steht  zurzeit  der Kunstunterricht  der beiden Klassen 5/6. Auf abstrakte und auf sehr handgreiﬂiche Weise lassen die Schülerinnen und Schüler verschiedenste Dinge mit Hilfe  der  Tarnung  verschwinden. Zunächst  galt  es,  ein  buntes  Muster, dann  die  eigenen  Hände zu  „verstecken“. Als nächstes  werden  es Tiere  sein, die sich an ihre natürliche Umgebung angepasst haben.

Art in Grade 5/6 To survive in an ecosystem, animals use the art of camouflage. This has been the motto of the art lessons in grades 5/6. Through abstract as  well  as  very hands‐on  activities, students  have made different  things disappear  with  the help  of camouflage. First  colourful  patters, then  their own hands were “hidden”. Next on the agenda are animals that have adapted to their natural environment.

Please see the larger Gallery on the next page.

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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¨ Aktivitaten in der klasse The Art of Mimicry

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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Kalender Wich%ge Daten im Mai 8

Erster Schultag nach derGoldenen Woche

Tag der Oﬀenen Tür

Vorstandssitzung (19 Uhr)

InternaConal Kids’ Day

Assembly (ES 1/2) InformaConsveranstaltung für Eltern (16 – 17 Uhr)

29. April – 7. Mai

4 20

Di Do

Fr 1. Juli  – 31. Aug.

Goldene Woche

Wich%ge Daten im Juni Besuch der Konan‐Schule Von SchülerInnen geleitete Konferenz DS Eltern‐Lehrer‐Gespräche DS Eltern‐Lehrer‐Gespräche DS Eltern‐Lehrer‐Gespräche  Zeugnisse Abschlussparty Sommerferien

Wich%ge Daten im September (2013/2014) 2

Erster Schultag nach den Sommerferien (außer Klasse 1) Kein NachmiWagsunterricht Elternabend Einschulungsfeier (für die neuen Erstklässler und ihre Familien) Kein NachmiWagsprogramm für Schulkinder (Vorschule – Klasse 6) NachmiWagsprogramm für Kindergartenkinder beginnt

23 ‐ 27 Mo ‐ Fr Woche der Kulturen 2 – 6 Sept.: Kein NachmiWagsprogramm für Kindergartenkinder 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 Dates in May 8

Wed

First day of school a8er Golden Week

Wed

Open Day

Tue

Board meeCng (19:00)

Sat

InternaConal Kids’ Day

Wed

Assembly (ES 1/2) Parent InformaCon Session (16:00 – 17:00)

April 29 – May 7

Golden Week

Important Dates in June 4

Tue

Konan School Visit

Thu

Student‐led Conferences

Mon

DS Parent Teacher Conferences

Tue

DS Parent Teacher Conferences

Wed

DS Parent Teacher Conferences

Fri

Report Cards Year End Party

July 1 – Aug. 31

Summer Holidays

Mon

Wed

Mon

Important Dates in September (2013/2014) First school day a8er the Summer holidays (except for grade 1) Half day Parents’ Night Enrollment Party (for new ﬁrst graders and their families) No A8ernoon Program for Primary School children A8ernoon Program for kindergarten children starts

23 ‐ 27

Mon ‐ Fri Culture Week Sept. 2 – 6: No A8ernoon Program for Kindergarten 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

PYP Information and Parent Involvement Parent Information Session on May 29, 2013. Time: 4:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5:00 p.m. Venue: Multi-Purpose Room Topic: School year 2013/2014 Child care: Will be provided for children enrolled at the school

As we begin the last quarter of the school year 2012/2013, we are already looking ahead to the new school year starting in September 2013. Like every year the school curriculum is reviewed, new initiatives are ushered in, new staff is hired, the handbooks are reviewed and improvements planned. We would like to give you a preview of what the school year 2013/2014 will bring and hope you will avail yourselves of this opportunity to get information, ask questions and give us feedback. Please let us know whether you will be able to attend the session by sending back the return slip attached by May 20, 2013.

Please keep checking our school Facebook page as it often has daily or weekly updated information, pictures and video.

https://www.facebook.com/dskobe.org

PYP Information - New Laptops

Information Communication Technology at Deutsche Schule Kobe/European School The school has received the first of twenty very powerful 15 inch laptops which are now ready for use by the students at the Deutsche Schule Kobe/ European school. Mr. Mayer and Mr. Hurst spent time to prepare the computers with software and make the Laptop carts to make them available for after Golden week. The IBO recognizes that 21st Century technologies are increasingly important to integrate into all areas of the curriculum. They say: “The effective integration of ICT enhances the learner’s opportunity to connect globally and to explore different perspectives in order to understand evolving cultural and social norms. The following list of ICT skills provides the whole school community with a structure for using ICT as a tool for learning. It has been designed in recognition of the fact that learning is a series of feedback loops involving the individual, the group and the local or global environment. All teachers working with PYP students will find that the ICT skills will be relevant to the transdisciplinary programme of inquiry as well as to subject-specific inquiries. ICT includes a variety of approaches to help connect learners within both the local and global community in order to empower learning. Learners’ awareness, use and appreciation of different ICT knowledge, skills and platforms should be developed. Furthermore, students should be encouraged to recognize that competency in ICT is a valuable life skill. The following six ICT skills are relevant to all learners: investigating, creating, communicating, collaborating, organizing and becoming responsible digital citizens. Each skill is transdisciplinary and will support learning both within the transdisciplinary programme of inquiry and within the subject areas. These skills interact with each other to support the development of learners. Therefore, teachers should consider these skills when planning for teaching and should look for evidence of them in student learning.” INVESTIGATING - CREATING - COMMUNICATING - COLLABORATING - ORGANIZING - BECOMING A RESPONSIBLE DIGITAL CITIZEN IBO Link

http://goo.gl/U1qt2