February 2024 IB Connection
Upcoming Dates
- February 8th - Quarter 3 Progress Reports
- February 9th - No School: Professional Development Day
- February 14th - Valentine's Day
- February 19th - No School: President's Day
Supporting an IB Education: A Note to Parents
Nurturing Growth: Empowering Learners through Feedback
One characteristic that makes an IB education unique is its commitment to holistic development. Beyond academic excellence, these programs emphasize the importance of nurturing skills that extend beyond the classroom. One such critical skill is the ability to give and receive feedback, which is included in the IB approaches to learning (ATL) framework.
Families face challenges when teaching young people how to give and receive feedback for growth. Navigating the emotional aspects, striking a balance between constructive criticism and emotional support, and fostering open communication are key hurdles. Additionally, aligning feedback with age-appropriate developmental stages and creating a positive environment for feedback without causing anxiety requires careful consideration.
Here are a few ways that parents and caregivers can create a culture at home of feedback:
- Model Constructive Feedback: Show the art of giving specific, positive comments and gentle suggestions. One method that is often successful with young people is the compliment sandwich, a communication technique where constructive criticism is sandwiched between two positive comments or compliments. It involves starting with something positive, providing constructive feedback, and ending with another positive note to make the feedback more palatable.
- Create a Safe Environment: Emphasize that mistakes are part of learning, making feedback a natural and supportive process.
- Set Family Learning Goals: Collaborate on setting goals and plans, incorporating feedback as a tool for improvement.
By sharing feedback and nurturing learner agency, we embark on a journey of growth with our children. Your involvement in this process is crucial to shaping resilient, self-directed learners.
Inquiry Action, & Reflection
6th Graders Understanding Ratios Using Tasty Snacks
In Ms. Santos' math class, students took their ratio unit test last Friday where had to "deconstruct" a bag of trail mix, record data (a chart where they listed the quantity they had for all the ingredients), then had to make ratios for the ingredients. Finally, students complete a chart that asked them what amounts they would have it they tripled the recipe in their bags.
Pre-K Students Explore Emotions Through Scribbles
Students in C150 has spent time scribbling their feelings after reading The Scribble Spot. Currently we are in the How We Express Ourselves IB unit and we connected it to the scribble spot to help students identify their emotions and have a creative way to express how they are feeling through art.
5th Graders Look at Technology Development Over Time
The fifth grader students in Ms. Kraft's class studied the Industrial Revolution and created artifacts out of recycled goods representing how technology has progressed over time.
3rd Graders Use Poetry To Express Themselves
In Ms. Alday's class, we have little poets in action! Third graders put their hearts into writing poems about their culture in their "How We Express Ourselves" unit. Now, they're super excited to share their masterpieces with the fourth graders!
8th Graders Speak Up for the Marginalized
In Mr. Bermudez's Individuals and Societies Class, students are giving voice to the voiceless! After studying for the U.S. Constitution exam in civics class, students were tasked with analyzing various groups within our society who are not protected under our constitution. Students then were asked to create an amendment for these forgotten groups whose purpose was to offer various constitutional rights. Students then had to write a persuasive essay defending their amendment to the class. The class (acting as if they were Congress) voted on whether to approve or reject the various proposed amendments.
4th Graders Use Poetry to Learn About Peers During Kindness Week
Students in Ms. Viveros' class are exploring how creative expression can be used to communicate ideas about the world and themselves. Students wrote a variety of poems including an I Am Poem. For kindness week, 4th graders in room 107 and 112 collaborated on an activity where they had to ask each other questions to get to know each other better. In the end, they were to write a bio poem about their new friend.
3rd Graders Expressing Through Art
Ms. Reese's class discussed how art can be a form of expression and very different from one individual to the next in their "How We Express Ourselves" unit. We looked at the work of Pablo Picasso and how he expressed himself through various emotional stages of his life. We recreated his ‘self-portrait’ piece individually and these were the results.
7th Graders Bring Idioms To Life
Cultivating International Mindedness
Encouraging International Mindedness and Anti-Racism: A Guide for Families of IB Students during Black History Month
As parents and caregivers of International Baccalaureate (IB) students, you play a crucial role in shaping your child's worldview. In the spirit of fostering international mindedness and promoting anti-racism, this article aims to provide guidance and resources for parents during Black History Month. By instilling these values at outside of school, you contribute to the development of open-minded, empathetic, and socially responsible individuals.
Anti-racism is more than a passive stance against racism; it is an active commitment to identifying, challenging, and dismantling systemic racism. It involves acknowledging privilege, advocating for equitable policies, and actively working towards creating a society free from racial discrimination
Families should consider some of these ways to reinforce anti-racism at home:
- Engage in age-appropriate conversations about the history of racism and discrimination.
- Utilize documentaries, books, and online resources to provide historical context and insights into the ongoing struggle for racial equality.
- Engage in age-appropriate conversations about the history of racism and discrimination.
- Utilize documentaries, books, and online resources to provide historical context and insights into the ongoing struggle for racial equality.
Cultural Appreciation
- Celebrate the contributions of Black individuals in various fields, such as science, literature, music, and sports.
- Attend cultural events or virtual exhibits that not only highlight Black history but also showcase the richness and diversity of Black culture.
- Celebrate the contributions of Black individuals in various fields, such as science, literature, music, and sports.
- Attend cultural events or virtual exhibits that not only highlight Black history but also showcase the richness and diversity of Black culture.
- Foster a sense of responsibility towards creating a more equitable society by actively engaging in local initiatives.
- Encourage your child to participate in community service projects that address social justice issues.
Below are some resources that families can use to engage with young people about anti-racism based on the age
Preschool (Pre-K) to Early Elementary (Grades K-2):
- Books:
- "The Colors of Us" by Karen Katz
- "Last Stop on Market Street" by Matt de la Peña
- "Hair Love" by Matthew A. Cherry
- "A is for Activist" by Innosanto Nagara
- Videos:
- Sesame Street: "We're Different, We're the Same"
Elementary (Grades 3-5):
- Books:
- "The Watsons Go to Birmingham–1963" by Christopher Paul Curtis
- "The Undefeated" by Kwame Alexander
- "Ron's Big Mission" by Rose Blue and Corinne J. Naden
- Movies/Documentaries:
- "Ruby Bridges" (Disney movie)
- "March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World" (Animated documentary)
Middle School (Grades 6-8):
- Books:
- "Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson
- "Ghost Boys" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
- Movies/Documentaries:
- "Hidden Figures" (Movie)
- "13th" (Documentary)
- "Just Mercy" (Movie based on Bryan Stevenson's memoir)
By actively engaging in conversations about international mindedness and anti-racism, parents of IB students contribute to a more inclusive and understanding world. Black History Month serves as a timely reminder to celebrate diversity and work towards a future where everyone is valued and respected. Embrace the opportunity to instill these values in your children, fostering a lifelong commitment to global citizenship and social justice.