Our K1 learners at Wells Bang Na are exploring their new unit of inquiry. And this unit is Where We Are in Place and Time. The central idea is celebrations occur around the world at different times. As we tuned into this unit, we set up a provocation station to showcase the different facets of celebrations. We invited our parents to visit our school. Then, they presented culture celebrations to our class. The students enjoyed this very much. And this activity helped our young learners understand the line of inquiries: time, seasons and the form and function of celebrations.

Chinese New Year

To kick off our unit we celebrated the New Year’s Eve countdown in our class. Since Chinese New Year was approaching, we asked one of the parents from the K1B class to present Chinese culture and traditions. Mr. Francis, Hang-Hang’s dad, shared with us about the legend of Nian. He explained why people wear red clothes, and decorate their homes with red lanterns during this time of celebration.

Setsubun Festival

Last Monday, we invited Akane-San, one of the parents from K1A class, to present the Setsubun Festival. This is a fun Japanese festival celebrated before the first day of spring. Students participated in role playing activities by throwing beans at the naughty ogre called ‘oni’ in Japanese. K1 students tasted roasted soybeans in a small oni cup made by Yuki and her Mom Akane-San.

Hanukkah

Moving on to another celebration around the world, we invited Mr. Aylon Spigel, Ella’s dad from the K1A class, to share the Jewish festival of lights called Hanukkah. Mr. Aylon told us a short story about the Menorah, the candelabra used for the Jewish festival. Again, the curious students asked many questions such as “if the candles were for their birthday.”

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Next, we learned about the celebration everyone loves- birthdays! We celebrated our January and February birthdays in class. This unit is exciting and fun for our students. They are interacting with different cultural celebrations. This enables them to be open minded learners. Our students will develop understanding and learn how to appreciate traditions from around the world.

By Queenie Lively

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Wells’ students are caring! Every month the early years building at �ۿ۴�ý Bang Na holds an assembly. These assemblies are based on the IB learner profiles. Learner profiles are qualities every IB students embody. This help them make exceptional contributions in and outside of school. Exposing and acknowledging these traits in early years is important for our students to be well-rounded. Wells youngest students are healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged.

Our Assembly

During the caring assembly, students were grouped by their classes into five different stations. They practiced different ways of being caring. One of the activities was an electricity squeeze. Students held hands standing in a circle and practiced passing on a squeeze. This relates to the concept of when others are kind and caring to you, you can be kind and caring to others. The caring spreads like electricity to build a more caring community

Learning By Doing

Other stations included: watching a short clip on caring, practicing saying caring things to one another, a read aloud, thinking of community helpers, friends, family members, or teachers and stating why they think they are caring. A teacher wrote down the students’ ideas. They will be posted on our caring wall. Lastly, students were able to color a picture and think of someone they wanted to give it too. 

In the end, each teacher presented a “caring certificate” to award and acknowledge one student in their class who consistently demonstrates the caring quality. Way to go! 

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On Wednesday, October 2nd the kindergarten 1 homeroom teachers hosted a learner profile assembly. One component of the IB PYP program is the learner profile. These are the traits that we would like our students to exemplify. Each trait is supported and recognized at our school. The assembly focused on the learner profile, communicator. The aim of the assembly was to expose the students to various ways of communicating. The IB recognizes that an effective communicator is someone who can effectively share their ideas. 

The students engaged in activities that outlined being a communicator. We had a short skit about the complexities of  effective communication. The students thought about being communicators. With the help of our teachers and coordinators, we ran a variety of stations. Each station lasted about  5 minutes. 

Ms. Viki and Ms. Brad showed importance of recognizing others’ emotions and responding correctly. Ms. Vidu’s center focused on the students ability to listen carefully and repeat a clapping rhythm. Ms. Mercedes facilitated an activity teaching the students about volume control when speaking to someone. Ms. Alex sang a song with the kids. They needed to listen and repeat as well as recognize the slight changes between each verse. Ms. April discussed the importance of taking turns when talking and respecting others. She had the students share their interests with the group. Ms. Queenie introduced  a song that outlined the importance of proper hygiene and good manners. Once the students completed the rotation through the stations, we briefly reviewed what it means to be a communicator. 

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The post Communicators at Wells Bang Na appeared first on �ۿ۴�ý | American International School - Wells.

On Friday 8^th March, Wells Thong Lo hosted a ‘Parenting Styles’ workshop, welcoming parents of children across all ages; from nursery students, that are filled with wonder about the world around them through to high school students, where the parents are challenged with the task of ensuring that curiosity and wonder remains as their child makes life changing decisions about their future. No matter what age the child is, parenting is an art that develops with time and experience, changing form with each individual child.

Ms. Camarin, Wells Early years and Primary School counselor, discussed the challenges faced in 21^st century parenting and the different parenting styles that are adopted; authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, or neglectful. Authoritative has been highlighted in many studies as the most effective style; whereby effort is put into creating and maintaining a positive relationship with the child, reasoning is given for rules that are enforced with given consequences, whilst simultaneously taking the child’s feelings into consideration. Although this style is favoured, every child and every familial background is different and should be factored in, potentially changing the dynamic and what action or style is most suitable. At times, good parents cross multiple styles, adapting to their child and situation.

Through open discussion, Wells leadership, teachers and Ms. Camarin discussed  problems faced today by parents and teachers alike. There is a direct relationship between home and school, where parents and teachers are working towards the same or similar goals, with the child’s welfare and development at the heart of decision making. We recognize, address and appreciate the challenges faced by parents and are here to support and guide where we can. We value our students, families and aim to continuously build a stronger community.

Thanks to all that attended and your valued input, and to Ms. Camarin and co for your tips and insight. Watch this space for more exciting workshops coming soon. We welcome input from our parents about future workshops. Please email any thoughts or ideas over to gona@wells-school.com.

Written by: Ms. Lauren – K3D Homeroom Teacher

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