Working Towards Our Goals

“Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination.” 
-Fitzhugh Dodson

This week in our curious classroom, the Grades 5/6s deepened their understanding of what it means to have a growth mindset. Our focus was on the importance of setting personal goals and developing the strategies necessary to achieve them. Each student took the initiative to select a goal that resonates with their interests and challenges. The enthusiasm in the classroom was palpable as the children shared their chosen objectives and the steps they plan to take to reach them. Each goal varies in focus, allowing for a rich diversity of experiences within our classroom community. Here’s a glimpse into the unique goals that the students selected:

Swimming
Yumiko aims to improve her swimming techniques, focusing on stroke efficiency and breath control. Her steps include research and practice sessions and seeking feedback from mentors.

Drawing
For three budding artists -- Amy, Kento, and Yuiko -- the goal is to enhance their drawing skills. They plan to explore different styles and techniques, dedicating time each week to practice and experiment.

Knitting
Anna has chosen to learn knitting, setting a target to create a specific item, such as a scarf. She is learning to follow patterns and improve her knitting speed.

Math
Yusei is focusing on math and is working to master a specific concept. He will track his progress through weekly quizzes and practice worksheets.

Piano 
Yuzuki, our aspiring musician, has set goals to learn a piece and improve his playing technique. He plans to continually practice and record their progress through performance videos.

Typing
Kohaku chose to enhance his typing skills as his goal. He is using online typing programs to measure his speed and accuracy.

Soccer
Soichiro and Leon are working on improving their soccer skills, such as dribbling, shooting, and being a goalkeeper. They will practice regularly and participate in friendly matches to assess their development.

Basketball
Luke and Chuyeon who are passionate about basketball chose to enhance their shooting and dribbling skills. They will engage in drills and track their performance during practices.

Spanish
Moe wants to learn Spanish and aims to expand her vocabulary and conversational skills. She plans to engage in daily practice and use language apps to monitor her progress.

After selecting their goals, the students identified specific steps they would take to achieve them. This process not only fosters independence but also encourages accountability. Each student created a simple action plan that outlines their goal, the steps they will take, and how they will measure their progress.

Every time they work towards their goal, they reflect on their process and the mindset they had as they were doing it.

Along the process, we also learned from the experiences of some of our teachers on how they were able to achieve their goals despite all the challenges that they have gone through. They kept us inspired and reminded us to keep on going even when it's tough.

(Thank you, Mr. Mayr and Mr. Sam for sharing your experiences with us!)

As we continue this unit on mindsets, the students are not only learning about the importance of setting goals but also about the power of perseverance and resilience. It is inspiring to witness their determination as they work towards their individual aspirations. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and reflecting on their growth at the end of this unit.

Have a wonderful weekend to all of you.

Your homeroom teacher, 
Pam

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Upcoming events

4th October - Whole School Trip 

5th October - Oktoberfest

14th to 18th October - Parent Teacher Conferences

Goal Setting

Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.
-Tony Robbins 

This week in our Grades 5/6 class, we dove deep into our inquiry on growth mindsets and began our journey toward personal development through a mini-passion project.

To kick off our week, we revisited the concept of a growth mindset—the belief that our abilities and intelligence can be developed with effort, persistence, and dedication. We discussed how challenges and setbacks are opportunities for learning and growth, rather than reasons to give up. Many of us shared personal experiences where we overcame obstacles and learned something valuable in the process.

As part of our mini-passion projects, each student chose an area of learning that excites them the most. Whether it’s art, science, sports, or technology, everyone picked something they are passionate about! Our next step was to set SMART goals—goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This framework helps us clarify our objectives and provides a clear path to success.

Once our goals are set, the real fun begins! Each student will commit to working on their project to see how much they can learn and improve. We discussed the importance of feedback and reflection—pausing each day to think about what we accomplish, what challenges we face, and how we can adjust our strategies moving forward. This reflective practice is an important step to our process and progress.

As we begin to work on our mini-passion projects, let us feel encouraged and embrace having a growth mindset. Always remember that it's okay to struggle and face difficulties as it’s a BIG part of the learning process. Let’s keep supporting each other and celebrate our achievements, big and small.

Keep growing,
Ms. Pam

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Upcoming events

4th October  - UP Trip (Suma Seaworld)
5th October - Oktoberfest

14th to 16th October '24 - Parent Teacher Conference

On Growth Mindsets

 Believe you can and you're halfway there.
-Theodore Roosevelt

What does it mean to have a growth mindset?

The Grades 5/6s have learned that a growth mindset means believing that our skills and intelligence can be developed through perseverance, effort, and by learning from mistakes. Instead of thinking we are "just good" or "not good" at something, we see challenges as opportunities to grow and improve. 

In our learning engagements, we explored how having a growth mindset helps us overcome obstacles, embrace challenges, and keep pushing forward, even when things get tough. 

Using their collaborative and critical thinking skills, the students unlocked this unit's central idea by unscrambling a puzzle of words with their groups. It was a delight to listen in and hear the children collaborate and use their critical thinking skills as they discussed how to solve the puzzle. 

We also explored the concepts of fixed vs. growth mindset, discussing how our beliefs about our skills and intelligence can shape our learning experiences. The children reflected on their own mindsets, especially in areas that are particularly challenging for them. 

To culminate our lessons, we introduced the practice of goal setting, encouraging each student to identify personal objectives and strategies to achieve them. This holistic approach not only empowers the students but also instills a sense of ownership over their learning journey, reinforcing the idea that with effort and determination, they can achieve great things.

Have a wonderful long weekend to all of you.

Your homeroom teacher, 
Pam
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P.S.
We also had an opportunity to collaborate with the other grade levels this week.

Preschool Buddy Reading

Kindergarten 1 Survey

Grade 4 Interview

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Upcoming Events

4th October  - UP Trip (To Be Confirmed)
5th October  - Oktoberfest

14th to 16th October - Parent Teacher Conference

The First Quest

"In tough times, we all hope for knights in shining armor, or the cavalry, to effect change." 

-Dean Devlin

Hear ye, hear ye!

In our quest to embody the noble attributes of the IB Learner Profile, our esteemed 5th and 6th graders were inducted into four honorable houses this week. These houses represent and uphold the virtues of what it truly means to be a knight of the PYP. 

I present thee:

The House of Ruby

The House of Citrine

The House of Sapphire

The House of Amethyst

As knights of their respective houses, our sirs and dames will earn points throughout the year by demonstrating the attributes of a PYP student — such as being inquirers, thinkers, communicators, and more. Points will be awarded for acts of courage, wisdom, and collaboration, as well as for perseverance and creativity.

The house that accumulates the most points by the end of every term will ascend to a new and prestigious level, with even greater honors awaiting them (but alas, the journey is a reward in itself!)

This week, the noble knights embarked on their first quest, one that has tested their strength, patience, and heart – a journey into the realm of the Growth Mindset.

Their noble quest, marked by perseverance and courage, has taken them into the land of "the Dip, a place where many falter but only the bravest prevail. The Dip is that dark valley where all knights of learning must pass through. It is a time of doubt, frustration, and toil. Many times, it is tempting to turn back, to lay down one’s sword, and to admit defeat. Yet, it is within the Dip that the true strength of a knight is forged.

They faced a series of challenges designed to test not only their creativity and perseverance but also their resolve. These trials were not unlike the dragons and monsters of yore, for they were not easy to conquer. Yet, our brave knights learned that the greatest of victories do not come swiftly nor without struggle.

Through these trials, they learned the art of perseverance and let their true character shine through. They are testaments that even in the darkest of times, a knight who believes in their ability to grow will always find the light.

Your herald from the royal court, 

Ms. Pam

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Upcoming events

4th October - UP Trip (To Be Confirmed)
5th October  - Oktoberfest