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PYP Assessment Policy

PYP Language Policy

Peirce PYP Programme of Inquiry

Peirce Specialists Programmes of Inquiry

...And Much More!

As October came to a close, the MYP students were working on their summative assessments in P.E. Students designed their personal fitness plans and then taught portions of their plans during class. Orange Shoe was gracious enough to teach a circuit training class for 8th graders. It was incredible!

Learn more by visiting my class website. CLICK HERE.

Students finished their first unit, “Are You Proportional?” Students have learned to identify and analyze ratios, rates and unit rates. In the final stretch, students will work with percentages. Students also spent several days working on their summative assessment. Students were given a “budget” to create a perfect party, breaking down the budget into rates, unit rates and percentages to apply their new skills.

Learn more by visiting my Google Classroom. Email me aekerkstra@cps.edu for access.

During the month of October, students practiced fundamental argumentation skills using current public policy issues. Seventh grade students participated in table debates on the issues of transgender soldiers in the military and the nuclear capabilities of North Korea. Students used the claim, evidence and reasoning process to build arguments to support their overall positions. Students were expected to respond their opponents’ claims with counter arguments and conclude their debates with a rebuttal.

Learn more by visiting my class website. CLICK HERE.

Students in 6th grade Individuals and Societies continued to work through Unit 1: In The Beginning. They explored Mesopotamia by taking a look into the 8 features of a civilization. The students compared our society with early civilizations, as well as the impacts early civilizations have had on our society. Their summative assessment, was an argumentative paper.

MYP Year 3 students are worked on implementing writing skills to compose a letter from the perspective of the protagonist of the novel Behind Rebel Lines. Students demonstrated their understanding of Criterion C in both Language and Literature and Individuals and Societies, which is Producing Text and Communicating. Students also focused on the Common Core Standard of 8th grade Writing 1, which is to write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. Students worked on not retelling the story through their writing; rather, finding specific details and using reasoning support their arguments.

Learn more by visiting my class website. CLICK HERE.

Several sixth grade students - Carlos Villegas, Alondra Solis, Charlotte Butcher, Altin Ulkshini, Alexcyn Huicab, Juan Linares, Miguel Fabian, Leonardo Pablo, Joseph Gonzalez - have reached out to the Student Council. They all are interested in raising money and/or sending supplies to victims of the recent natural disasters in Mexico City and Puerto Rico.

Students have been considering the consequences of the Civil War today in the United States. Weston Christmas supports the Southern display of Confederacy, and took it upon himself to write a paragraph on an exit slip that explains Southern pride expands racism. On another side, Rachel Nguyen addressed all people should feel safe in their own country. In response to an article in Upfront that discusses taking down of Confederate leaders, Rachel suggested an expansive unbiased teaching of the Civil War throughout the United States so that students can understand the negative ramifications of perpetuating historical symbols without previous background knowledge.

In considering the rationale for celebrating Columbus Day and juxtaposing it to Native American peoples perspective on this explorer, Miguel decided he was a supporter of the recognition of Indigenous People’s Day and would create a sign to display in his window at home hoping to help inform about the issue as well as indicate his support for the change.

This year, Peirce is looking to raise $11,500 in scholarship money to help students in Year 2 and Year 3 go to Washington D.C this coming May. So far we have raised a little over $300.00. Here are some ways that you can help us reach our goal!!!

• PEIRCE SWAG for sale. T-shirts available for $10! Totes for $5 and Drawstring Bags for $3. Pick -up yours at Report Card Pick-Up!
  
• 50/50 Raffle: On November 15, we will be selling tickets for a 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $2 each, 3 for $5, or 7 for $10. The winner keeps HALF the cash collected, just in time for some HOLIDAY SHOPPING!!!
• If neither of the options described above appeal to you, you can always make a donation in the Peirce Main Office. No amount is too small and every contribution gets us a little closer to our goal.

  Make checks payable to HELEN C. PEIRCE school of International Studies, and on the memo line, indicate "D.C. TRIP".