The Communicator
PYP and MYP Update
OCTOBER 2016
The Current State of IB at Peirce
Primary Years Programme (PYP) - Candidate School - Authorization Visit Spring 2017
**The Application for Authorization has been ACCEPTED! The Verification Visit will be scheduled for the late spring. Dates will be forthcoming. **
Middle Years Programme (MYP) - IB World School - Evaluation Fall 2017
The Learner Profile
Inquirer
We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.
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Spotlight on IB
The PYP at Peirce
Transdisciplinary Learning
Understanding the Concept of Movement
In Dance the students studied ballet, and learned different ballet positions. They had to understand the movement and placement of each body part for the different positions.
In Visual Arts the students studied the artist Keith Haring, and learned how he used movement to create different artworks. The students used the ballet positions they learned in dance and created their own life sized Keith Haring inspired artworks.
In Physical Education the students studied movement, and learned how to create a sequence of movements. They used the Keith Haring inspired artworks, and the ballet positions they learned develop sequences. These sequences of movements were then demonstrated using an app called LightBomber.
Arts Partnerships
Arts Partnerships and PYP Transdisciplinary Themes
Kindergarten - Music Institute - Sharing the Planet
1st Grade - Raven Theater - How We Express Ourselves
2nd Grade - Dream Big and CAPE - Where We Are In Place and Time
3rd Grade - Lookingglass Theater - How We Express Oursleves
4th Grade - Barrel of Monkeys - How We Express Ourselves
5th Grade - Giordano Dance - Who We Are
The MYP at Peirce
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: How were you an Inquirer during the Month of October?
Leah Selau- MYP Year 3 Grade 8
Elia Brooks-Simms- MYP Year 3 Grade 8
Alessandra Fiumara-MYP Year 3 Grade 8
Carla Almaraz- MYP Year 3 Grade 8
Yaqueline Hernandez- MYP Year 2 Grade 7
A.J. Haddon -MYP Year 2 Grade 7
Giovanni Vazquez-- MYP Year 1 Grade 6
Jose Pablo - MYP Year 1 Grade 6
Luke Kauffman- MYP Year 2 Grade 7
Miguel Torres- MYP Year 1 Grade 6
Adin Custovic- - MYP Year 1 Grade 6
Nicole Woolf- MYP Year 1 Grade 6
Jaylen Rogers-- MYP Year 2 Grade 7
Amy Cai- MYP Year 1 Grade 6
Simeon Shedd- MYP Year 1 Grade 6
What's new for November, MYP???
Ms. Brugman- Language and Literature
Next, students will read The House on Mango Street and work with our cooperating partner, Writer’s Theater. Students will work individually and with a group to dramatize their writing and perform for an audience.
Mr. Skvarenina- Physical and Health Education
In November, students will complete second quarter fitness testing and see how much they have grown, then students will move into invasion games unit. It gives them a chance to use all the fitness training we have done so far and apply it to a game setting. Students will learn about time and space as it applies to sports.
Mr. Greenwell- Spanish
For November, sixth grade students will be learning about school in Mexico. They will learn about present tense verbs and talk about their classes.
Seventh grade students will continue their investigation into learning about Spain by discussing community activities and stem changing present tense verbs.
Eighth grade students will continue to learn about leisure activities and the Dominican Republic. Students will deepen their understanding of past tense actions by learning irregular verb forms and expanding their discussion of events in the past.Ms. Hopkins- Mathematics
This month, students in 8th grade will use linear equations and systems of linear equations to represent, analyze, and solve a variety of problems. Students will also be required to recognize equations for proportions (y/x = m or y = mx) as special linear equations (y = mx + b).
Ms. Hernandez- Science
New for November, in 7th grade we move through our understanding of invasive species we will be identifying a specific species to study and create a wanted poster that includes characteristics, environmental impacts, and location. In 8th grade science we will begin the Chemistry unit and explore the periodic table in the upcoming weeks. Students will garner new understanding of how chemistry impacts our world.
Ms. Keiner- 7th Grade Math & 8th Grade Science
Ms. Lawrenz- Language and Literature
In seventh grade, talent and creativity were on display as students shared original work and read classic poems at the middle school poetry slam during Family Literacy Night. In language arts classes, students are building arguments by using claims, text evidence and reasoning. Classes will have argument-based seminars and write argument essays in the upcoming quarter.
Ms Jetton- Science
Students are completing their end of unit assessment on a Space topic of their choice. They will present their discoveries next week! In November, we will begin our second unit, Ch-Ch-Changes that focuses on the various systems of Earth, and how these systems are continually changing the Earth.
Ms. Kerkstra- Mathematics
We’ve just finished our first unit and we are now moving into our second unit called “Wrap It Up, I’ll Take It!” Students will be working with fractions, ratios and percents. Students are encouraged to discover how these skills are all around us on a daily basis!
Students put a ton of time and effort into their first summative assessment - thanks to all those who went above and beyond to share information on their favorite number! Come check out all the great posters and essays in Room 303.
Ms. Puente- Language and Literature
We have completed our summative assessment of an argument essay. It was very challenging to write but at the same time very rewarding. New for November, we will soon be conducting Desktop Debates using all the research we collected in class from the summative assessment. I am very proud of the amazing writing the students produced.
Additionally, all the 6th graders have been working hard to become more self-driven and self directed. The one and most important way is through their agendas. While there are some that still need our support most of the students have demonstrated excellent self management skills. Go IB!
Ms. Mangas- 6th -8th Grade Humanities
This month in 6th Grade, students are finishing their summative assessment essays. We have begun Unit 2: Ancient Egypt. Students will be exploring the culture, customs, and politics of that ancient civilization, Seventh grade students are well into their 2nd unit: Exploring the Beginnings of the New World. In eighth grade, we will spend the month of November working our way through the Civil War. We are exploring many different sources and a multitude of perspectives as they learn.
Mr. Roche-
Eighth graders are going to learn to solve multi-step equations.
Seventh graders will be reading some short stories that focus on tone and mood.Get to know our MYP Teachers & The BOOKS they LOVE !
Ms. Lawrenz- 7th Grade Language and Literature
Ms. Keiner- 7th Grade Math and 8th Grade Science
Ms. Zawayta- Diverse Learners Co-Teacher
Ms. Kerkstra- 6th Grade Math
Ms. Andrade- STEM & Technology
Ms Jetton- 6th & 8th Grade Science
Dr. Riemer- MYP Coordinator
Mr. Roche- 5th -8th grade Diverse Learners
Ms. Harris-6th Grade Co-Teacher
Ms. Brugman- 8th Grade Language and Literature
Round and Round and Back Again: Students are going to jump into The House on Mango Street. Students will be writing their own vignettes in the style of Sandra Cisneros. Upon completion of the unit, students will be working with Writer’s Theater to find their voices and bring their writing
Ms. Hopkins- 8th Grade Math
My favorite book is The Endurance Expedition, by Ernest Shackelton. It's about how a group of men stranded in the arctic face their challenges a with perseverance and optimism.
Mr Greenwell- 6th -8th Spanish
My favorite book is “San Manuel Bueno, Martir” by Miguel de Unamuno. It's a tale of a priest who serves as a spiritual leader for a small town, yet does not believe in God himself. I also enjoy reading non-fiction books, especially ones from the humor section.
Field Trips on the Forecast
- The sixth graders will be heading out to Indiana to explore the Dunes Nature Center February 2-3, 2016.
- 7th graders will enjoy an outdoor education at the Lorado Taft Center on the campus of Northern Illinois University. Date TBA
- On Friday, June 9th, 7th graders will also be visiting our Springfield during the third quarter to learn more about the history and government of the state of Illinois.
- Both 7th and 8th graders will invited to attend Peirce School's trip to our Nation's Capital, Washington, DC from May 10-12, 2017.
Fundrasing: Support needed
For questions, contact Talyia Riemer, IB MYP Coordinator @ (773)534-2440.
Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies
773-534-2841
Dr. Talyia Eve Riemer - MYP Coordinator
773-534-2440
Website: peirce.cps.k12.il.us
Location: 1423 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, IL, United States
Phone: 773-534-2440
PYP Disclaimer for Being A Candidate School in the International Baccalaureate
Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies is a candidate school* for the Primary Years Programme. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Peirce Elementary School believes is important for our students.
*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.
For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit http://www.ibo.org