The post WIS-BN | Around the World in a Day first appeared on �ۿ۴�ý | American International School - Wells.

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The Grade 3 students of Wells Bang Na Campus explored their first Unit Of Inquiry (UOI) over the past 6 weeks. Through delicate dissection and careful questioning, they managed to find out more than expected. They discovered something surprising about every one of us.

The class began their exploration with a gallery walk. They saw images of people both familiar and alien. And as inquiring minds are inclined to do, they found themselves asking questions. Who were these people before them and why were they important? Where did they come from? What were they known for? Were they walking among us or already at rest? What do they all have in common? With their minds awash with questions, it was time to unpack the central idea: Heroes are a reflection of our beliefs and values.��

Through this process of unpacking, the grade 3’s clarified the central idea. The heroes were not superheroes. They were not exploring the characters of fiction, but ordinary, everyday people. With questions yet unanswered, they set about researching the people pasted to the walls around them. Brandishing iPads, books, and encyclopedias, they began researching. Some chose to learn more about familiar faces, while others explored the unknown. They were tasked with organizing their research into mind maps. Afterwards, the students created Seesaw posts to share what they had learned about their heroes. And while this activity excited the grade 3’s, they weren’t finished, yet. More questions arose and, with it, the need to go further. Ideas were forming, but not yet clear.��

While furthering their research, the students discovered something, or rather, someone. A man by the name of Salman Kunan. Mr. Kunan was of particular interest to everyone in the class. His heroic actions were not known around the world. He wasn’t Martin Luther King or Amelia Earhart. He was a local hero. But what did he do to have his name in Thai newspapers across the nation? To find out, they watched a documentary called The Cave. They learned that Mr. Kunan lost his life while helping to save the 12 boys trapped in Tham Luang cave. The students learned about Mr. Kunan’s death and they were impacted by the idea that this person could be someone that they knew. There was something special about Mr. Kunan’s story. He was someone they might have passed in a shopping mall or seen on the BTS. They came to realise that heroes are everywhere. They are not just present at momentous junctions in history, but also in everyday life and everyday situations.����

With Mr. Kunan in mind, the students began to wonder if there might be other heroes whose actions were not to be found in history books. Young heroes tackling more current issues, both great and small. They continued their research with a renewed intensity. The grade 3s discovered many young heroes and connections with their own lives and experiences. It was after this foray into the world of young heroes that the students began thinking of taking action. Prince wanted to advocate for the endangered sea otter through the creation of an exciting comic book. Piper, Ete, and Tua wanted to inform others and prepared a presentation on ethical meat and farming to share with the grade 4s. Aadhya, Alina, Mook, and Vince put together an informative book to create awareness about the importance of recycling. Maya and Sun created a series of posters to share what they had learned about the PAWSBangkok foundation.��

What this magnificent group of students discovered through their journey was that everybody could be a hero. Our actions, big or small, can have an impact on the world around us. By striving to be knowledgeable and caring thinkers, we can change the world together, one action at a time.��

The post Heroes Roam Among Us first appeared on �ۿ۴�ý | American International School - Wells.

The post Heroes Roam Among Us appeared first on �ۿ۴�ý | American International School - Wells.

Wells International Bang Na celebrated its first Gratitude Month. The month was divided into three parts: gratitude for myself, my environment, and others (discovering our grateful self, seeing the good around us, and seeing the good in others). It was an exciting week with both teachers and students enjoying the activities. As everyone embraced the power of gratitude throughout the week, our students inquired into “What is gratitude?”. The students tried to find out if gratitude is a feeling or an attitude. In the end, they understood that gratitude is an attitude of finding the good things in our lives. When we focus on the good things, we make ourselves happier.��

BEING GRATEFUL FOR OURSELVES

The first week, Wells School Bangna focused on being grateful by discovering ourselves and looking at things that make us thankful. The students wrote gratitude journals to write about their strengths and what they are grateful for. One student in first grade wrote, “I am grateful that I am happy”. Grace (G1) noted that she is grateful that she can brush her teeth by herself. In the early years, the students made paper chains with pictures to show their strengths. Thashvinaa K2B said, “I am a good friend because I always help my friends”.

BEING GRATEFUL FOR THE THINGS AROUND US

In the second week of our Gratitude Month, we learned about seeing the good around us. The students enjoyed looking for the good in the world around them by noticing what was around them. The students went on a scavenger hunt around the school. They explored areas around the school and in the garden for things they are thankful for. For one activity, the students wrote notes of things they were grateful for and tied them to a tree in our garden. They found so many things to be grateful for. The K2 students said they were grateful for the shady garden trees, playing with toys on the playground, and looking at books in the quiet library. Mavind (K3B) said he was thankful for his family and Grace (K3B) said she was grateful that she could celebrate Christmas with her family. Tida (K3B) said she enjoys watching TV with her family and Jacob (G3) said he is thankful for the time spent with his family during meal times. Lise (G1) said, “I am thankful for the library because I like to read”. Aarna, in fourth grade, explained that she was grateful for “the tree in the school courtyard because trees help with oxygen and are houses for the birds”.��

BEING GRATEFUL FOR THE PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES��

In the third week of Gratitude Month, our students focused on seeing the good in others by finding and naming their friends’ strengths and being thankful for the people in their lives. Prem, Eric, and Timothy (G3) wrote that they were grateful for their homeroom teacher, Mr. Michael. Phop (G1) said he was thankful for his dad because he helped him get better. Jai Jai in fourth grade explained how she was grateful for Ms. Jasie “because she teaches me to dance and I get to improve my talent”. One activity asked the students to think about something that reminds them of a loved one. Annu wrote that it reminds her of her grandmother when she eats bread and milk for breakfast. In the Primary Years, the students decorated boxes and wrote notes to “mail” into their friends’ gratitude boxes. The students were all very excited to open their boxes and read the messages from their friends. In addition to working on gratitude mailboxes, the early year students worked on the ‘have you filled your bucket today’ activity, where they learned about expressing daily kindness and appreciation for others.����

At the end of Gratitude Month, the students reflected on what they learned about being grateful. As the K2 students looked through their notes from their buckets, Mustang told his teacher, “My heart feels so happy, it is like I have won the lottery”. Some students explained that they are more aware of how grateful they are for their parents and say thank you more. One student said he had not realized how many of his peers liked him. Ms. Shauna explained that she had noticed how much more empathetic her K1 students have become after this month. The gratitude month brought opportunities for students to reflect on what they are grateful for and greater appreciation for the things and people they have in their lives. We can’t wait to do it again next year!

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

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

For the past six weeks, the grade four class at �ۿ۴�ý Bangna has been learning how structures and spaces are designed for functionality and aesthetics. The students researched building different structures such as stairs, roofs, and even furniture. They then had to use their math skills to measure and map out the design of their structures. Most of the students decided to design a bedroom. Lastly, they chose to present their work to the other students. The presentation consisted of a display and dance performance to showcase understanding and learning.��

The fourth-grade class showed agency and ownership by choosing how they wanted to present their work. They designed their structures, reflected as they went along, and changed things they learned about by themselves and through feedback from their friends. One student said they worked hard on their projects and wanted to show their hard work. The students decided to present their work in the dance room because they chose to perform a dance connected with their unit.��

The students were excited and a little nervous to show their work to the school. Jai Jai said, “I was nervous because I thought I would dance the wrong move.” Mira said that she was happy because everyone was cheering. “I’m sure we went over their expectations,” she said.��

Learning comes with some challenges, though. One student said that it was most difficult to work on the roof. “It was hard to work on the roof because it started to wobble, but I solved it in time,” said Jai Jai. Annu, another student in grade 4, said that it was challenging to get the measurements right. The students helped each other by giving peer feedback. The students continuously reflected on their projects and made changes as they learned.��

��These projects were a great learning experience for our fourth-grade students. Aarna explained that she learned that function and structure are important because her building would fall without them. Another student explained that they learned that nothing is easy, especially when “creating from your head because you have to think of everything.”��

The fourth graders’ final presentation was spectacular. Their peers were interested in how they built their structures and asked many questions. The dance performance was well-planned and surprised everyone. In the end, all the students’ hard work, reflection, and tenacity helped them create and execute an outstanding presentation.��

The post Fourth Graders Learn About Structures first appeared on �ۿ۴�ý | American International School - Wells.

The post Fourth Graders Learn About Structures appeared first on �ۿ۴�ý | American International School - Wells.

Our students were able to connect with students in Japan using Zoom. This exchange took place during the last week of online learning in January, 2021. The ability to take a virtual field trip to another school is a positive aspects of online learning. Through observing the students in Okinawa, our grade 5 students and teachers gained clarity on how to improve their own projects. They also saw how to share the exhibition projects with the greater community.��

Kanade (grade 5 students) reflected, “Previously, I was nervous about my own project. But now, I feel confident about it because I know what to expect.” After the meeting, we received positive feedback from the students and PYP coordinator in Okinawa. They appreciated the questions asked by our students. They felt that they were very strong inquirers and thinkers.��

Looking forward, our students are more equipped and excited to share their exhibition projects. Annie said, “I know what I need to do to improve my project now. I can add more pictures and explain my work more clearly because I know what it’s like to be in the audience.” Hank thought, “This experience gave me some good ideas on what to present.”

�ۿ۴�ý Bang Na will invite members of the community to participate in the Grade 5 exhibition in May 2021.

The post Wells Bang Na Connects with Okinawa International School first appeared on �ۿ۴�ý | American International School - Wells.

The post Wells Bang Na Connects with Okinawa International School appeared first on �ۿ۴�ý | American International School - Wells.

The grade 2 class at Wells Bang Na inquired into patterns around us that help us to understand our world, such as night/day, seasons and moon phases. Ms. Ellie’s class became scientists as they conducted experiments��to observe��these patterns and took daily journals to see what patterns they could notice in the sun and moon.

Star gazing Sleepover

To conclude this unit and encourage students to become independent, the whole class stayed after school on Friday, the night of the full moon, to observe and reflect on what they had learned. Students got to use a telescope to look closer at the moon. They also used star apps to find constellations and did a lot of looking at the sky, noticing that Venus was the first star they could see. They also had pizza, played games and read books in a tent! It was a very fun night! The grade 2 students are still talking about how exciting it was to spend the night with their��friends!

By Elizabeth Frantz-Larson

The post Second Grade Star Gazing at Wells Bang Na first appeared on �ۿ۴�ý | American International School - Wells.

The post Second Grade Star Gazing at Wells Bang Na appeared first on �ۿ۴�ý | American International School - Wells.

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.��

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

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

On Wednesday, October 2nd, Wells Bang Na campus hosted a parent workshop introducing the IB PYP to new parents. The central idea of the workshop;��the function of education is to provide students the skills they need in a changing world. ��Our parents learned about the six trans disciplinary��themes of the IB program, the key concepts, the learner profile, and approaches to learning.�� They gained insight about inquiry-based education in the Wells primary program. The new members of our community��were able to connect as well.��The participants reflected on what education looked like in the past and the present. In addition to this, they predicted what it will be like in the future. Our parents were risk-takers stepping out of their comfort zone during this workshop. They were also thinkers, inquirers and communicators. Thanks for your participation!

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

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

After three years of hard work and dedication, �ۿ۴�ý Bang Na campus is thrilled to announce that we are officially authorized as an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. This authorization will ensure that our students continue to receive the best education possible and our teachers will continue to develop as educators. Wells Bang Na will also be connected to the IB network and community for continuous learning opportunities!

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The post IB PYP Authorization appeared first on �ۿ۴�ý | American International School - Wells.

At �ۿ۴�ý Bang Na, our grade two students have been inquiring into “Who We Are”.�� This transdisciplinary theme focused on how responsible citizens can work together in order to create a better community.�� The lines of inquiry were: People as responsible citizens, responsible citizens affect a community, and taking action responsibly. The key concepts that the students focused on were change and�� reflection.�� The learner profile attributes that we practiced in grade two were being caring and principled.

School Improvement Project

Grade two students worked as a team and thought of ways that we could improve our community for everyone at our school.�� One project that our students decided on was to clean up the walls in the hallway.�� Another group decided that they wanted to paint a mural in order to beautify our school. ��The students also created a list of needed materials and asked our principal and art teacher for the supplies. The art teacher outlined their design on the wall for the students and helped supervise the students as they painted.

Teamwork

All Grade 2 students worked together and took turns to paint the mural on the wall This student initiated- student led project’s end result is an amazing mural representing the IB learner profile pouring into our school. The learner profile states the attributes that we want our students to achieve in order to be the best learners they can be!�� These attributes include being open minded, knowledgeable, communicator, risk taker, principled, reflective, balanced, thinker, inquirer, and caring. The ultimate goal of the IB program (we are currently an IB PYP candidate school) is to encourage our students to be deep thinkers and take action. This project clearly embodied this goal!

The post Wells Bang Na second Grade Mural Project first appeared on �ۿ۴�ý | American International School - Wells.

The post Wells Bang Na second Grade Mural Project appeared first on �ۿ۴�ý | American International School - Wells.