IB PYP Newsletter
Running Springs Academy- Nov. 2022
IB Learner Profile Attribute: Risk Taker
Our IB learner profile focus this month is RISK TAKER!
Students who are RISK TAKERS have the courage to explore new situations and experiences. They are willing to make mistakes and approach them with a positive attitude.
Here are some ways you can support your child in being a risk taker:
- Try something new together-- a new sport, a new hiking trail, a new food, etc.
- Talk about characters in movies, TV shows or books who demonstrate being a risk taker.
- Let your child safely make mistakes.
- Give your child recognition for being a risk taker on our IB Learner Profile Padlet!
7 Benefits of Inquiry-Based Learning
Inquiry-based learning is a process where students are actively involved in their learning. The students learn to ask questions, investigate widely, and build new understandings and knowledge.
Running Springs is making inquiry-based learning our schoolwide focus this year (and beyond). So, what are the benefits of inquiry-based learning?
- Fosters curiosity and a love for learning-- Teachers help students make connections between their curiosities and the curriculum.
- Deepens understanding to go beyond memorizing facts and content-- Learning focuses on "big ideas" and teachers guide students in connecting facts to relevant and meaningful deeper understandings.
- Teaches perseverance, growth mindset and self-management skills-- Missed goals are seen as opportunities to be better and learn more instead of seen as failures.
- Develops stronger research skills-- Students learn how to locate relevant and accurate information.
- Enables students to take ownership over their own learning-- Students help to set goals, brainstorm resources to use and reflect on their learning.
- Honors student voice and choice-- Teachers give students opportunities to shape the learning.
- Empowers students to solve the problems of tomorrow-- Students learn 21st century skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity.
Want to see some examples of inquiry-based learning at Running Springs? Read the "October Highlights" below!!
A Few October Highlights From Our IB Programme!
Kindergarteners Created Maps!
Our kindergarten students are using various resources to explore maps and globes as well as the concept of past and present to help them better understand where we are in place and time. One way the students demonstrated their learning was by creating their own maps with map keys! The students loved having choice and ownership in what they wanted their maps to look like!
Central idea: Location and time determine how people live.
2nd Graders are Glue Engineers!
Our second-grade students have been super engaged in the learning for their unit of inquiry, How the world works! They have been experimenting with different materials to try to make the best possible glue mixture. They are taking on the role of engineers by observing the properties of different materials, hypothesizing which materials will make the best glue mixture when combined, and are testing their hypotheses by experimenting with heating and cooling the mixtures they create.
Central idea: Matter is made of observable properties that can change.
Exploring Water on Earth in 5th Grade!
Fifth graders are practicing their research and communication skills by taking on the role of inquirers! The unit of inquiry in fifth grade for the theme, How the world works, has the students inquiring into how much water there is on Earth, how water cycles through our Earth system via the water cycle and ways we can conserve our usable water. The students are using various resources to investigate questions related to water on Earth and are demonstrating their learning in various ways such as posters and Google Slides presentations.
Central idea: Conservation contributes to the sustainability of resources.1
SDC Students Are Making Observations!
Central idea: People use observations to help them make discoveries.
For more information about IB...
Email: bgower@orangeusd.org
Website: www.orangeusd.org/running-springs-elementary-school
Phone: (714) 281-4512