Sleep Deprivation

Coming up in Grade 6 Health classes we will be talking about various factors that affect our Mental Health like Body Image, Self Esteem and Sleep.

Here is a video we will be reviewing, outlining some of the issues we will be discussing regarding sleep deprivation.

It is a good reminder that sleep is not a luxury and that it effects every person in a variety of ways.
Teenagers should be getting 9 hours of sleep on average every night to be able to function and perform at their best mentally, physically and socially.

The Effects Of Sleep Deprivation

PE page has been updated

Hi folks

The PE page has been updated with a look at most students favorite unit... BASKETBALL!

This week we will be using a new tool of technology for students to view themselves shooting and playing in "delay".

We have an app on the ipad called "BaM Video Delay"

By using this app the students can practice a skill in front of the camera (like a lay up) and then come around to view their skill. The cool thing is the video has a delay, so students can keep practicing without having to stop the video, rewind and watch. It means many students can use and view it in real time. We will be using this more during this unit.

The tripod is set up so that students can be self sufficient in learning and watching for themselves. This puts the students in charge of their own learning!

The ipad and tripod are another tool we have to give students accurate and immediate feedback on their skills. It also gives them ownership over their learning!

Click on the PE page to take a look at another tool we used last week to help students learn faster!

Bible page has been updated

Please click on the Bible page tab to see some examples of student work looking at the topic of "Who is Jesus".

Homeroom activities

For the past two Homeroom sessions, Grade 6 have been focussing on the SAVE policy at TCIS.

SAVE

Schools

Against

Violence

     Everywhere

It's the contract that all students and teachers sign at the start of the school year as part of the enrolment and registration process to attend and teach at TCIS.

SAVE is more than just a piece of paper...

As a Grade 6 group we have been delving into SAVE a little more...

What does SAVE look like in the classroom, lunchroom, locker room, playground, soccer field?

What is my responsibility?

Where can I go for support?

Students have started working on digital posters to raise awareness about SAVE at TCIS.

Jayson Leem's finished poster about the SAVE policy.

ISA Testing this week

This week on Thursday 13th and Friday 14th, students from Grades 3-8 will take part in standardised testing.
Below is a letter from Heather Chun regarding the testing.
Feel free to contact the Secondary School office or Heather Chun if you have questions about it.

Dear Parents,

This week we will be involved in our annual achievement tests on February 13^th and 14^th, 2014. Please have your students rested and ready for the testing sessions each morning. A good night’s rest and a good breakfast is a good start to our two mornings of testing. We have administered this test in the spring and fall. This year, it is in the spring.

What is ISA?

International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) is an annual assessment program that has been specially developed to measure skills in mathematical literacy, reading and writing of students in international schools.

ISA is based on the internationally endorsed reading and mathematical literacy frameworks of the program for the International Student Assessment (PISA) developed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.  It is designed and developed in Australia by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).

The ISA reports provide descriptive information about what students know and can do.  The results are equated from year to year so they can be used to track changes over time at the individual and school level.

What is ISA NOT?

ISA is not a competitive or comparative test, such as the IB Diploma or Advanced Placement (AP).  It is not a test that students “pass”. It will not be used for purposes other than providing data to us, you, and your child, about his/her learning.  While we give opportunities for practice, students do not ‘prepare’ for the tests, since they are consistent with what students learn on a regular basis.

Who uses ISA?

A growing number of international schools now us ISA, including many of the acknowledged world leaders in international education. You may find a complete list at the website below.

How do the assessments work?

Students complete a reading literacy test, a mathematical literacy test and two writing tests, each of which takes between 45 minutes and one hour to administer.  The tests include both multiple-choice and open-ended tasks.

When is TCIS administering the ISA?

We will administer the ISA this year in grades 6, 7, and 8.  The test will be taken on February 13^th and 14^th.  The students will take the tests in “normal” school conditions e.g. in classroom, in conditions that are familiar to our students.  We have already offered the ISA in our Middle School for the last several years in grades 6, 7 and 8. Our testing has gone very smoothly and we are pleased with the data on student learning.

How will TCIS use the results?

As a school, we will analyze all data about the general patterns of performance and use these as another of the ways in which we monitor and modify our educational program.  This data will be one of the ‘success indicators’ to which we pay attention each year.

What information will I receive as a parent?

We will pass on all information about your child to you in the form of an individual report.  These reports are provided by ACER and are very comprehensive.  They will give you a detailed record of your child’s performance in relation to scales that describe increasingly advanced skills in mathematical literacy, reading literacy and writing.  You will receive them by the end of April.  It is entirely your decision as to whether you pass on this information to another school when you leave TCIS.

In Conclusion

We see the development of ISA as a significant advance in international education that will provide you with clear information about your child’s progress against credible, objective international standards.  If you have any questions about the ISA at TCIS, please feel free to contact me directly. You may also visit the ISA website for more information on the test at http://www.acer.edu.au/isa/

Best Regards,

Mrs. Heather Chun

Counseling Department

  

6 ~ 8학년 학부모님들께,

2월 13, 14 일에 6,7,8 학년 학생들은 이틀에 걸쳐 오전중에 ISA 시험을 치루게 됩니다.

학생들이 그 전날 충분히 수면을 취하고 아침식사도 거르지 않게 시험준비를 도와주시기 바랍니다. 

ISA 란?

International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) 는 읽기, 쓰기, 수학 응용 척도를 알아보기위해 국제학교/외국인 학교들이 많이 사용하는 평가 제도 입니다.

ISA 결과를 통 학생들이 얼마나 지식들을 습득하고 응용하는지 또 해마다 얼마나 발전하고 있는지 볼수있는 좋은 지표가 되기도 하고, TCIS 에서는 ISA 결과를 통하여서학생들이 어떠한 부분이 지도가 필요한지 또 어떤 부분들이 성공적인지 가늠하게 됩니다.

ISA 결과는 4월말에 우편을 통해 자세한 부분까지 부모님들과 공유하게 됩니다.

ISA 에 대하여 더 자세히 알기 원하시면 카운슬러 사무실이나 중.고등학교 사무실로연락 바랍니다.

감사합니다.

Mrs. Heather Chun

Counseling Department

Congratulations STUDENTS OF THE MONTH!

This week we honored 2 students for their contributions to TCIS for the months of December and January.

Congratulations go to...

Sylvia (Ji Young) Yun:

She is a dedicated student and is caring and respectful to all member of the Grade 6 community.

She is willing and able to work with anyone, demonstrating the ability to negotiate, question and encourage students during group work. 

Her open-mindedness towards other people, situations and learning concepts make her a remarkably knowledgeable student and person.

She takes her learning seriously, but never at the expense of others learning or feelings, showing she can be balanced.  She looks out for the ‘details’ in her work to ensure she is doing the best she can do.

Her attitude and positive nature are contagious and her presence in the class makes it a happier and more authentic learning environment. Congratulations!

Spencer Lee:

He has shown himself to be an inquirer by asking questions and discussing ideas and new concepts freely with students and teachers. He has many interesting ideas and is very knowledgeable about concepts in class and globally. He articulates himself carefully, and thoughtfully in groups and in front of the class.

He does a nice job of working with a whole range of students and is comfortable doing so. He never makes a fuss about group members, showing a high level of maturity in this area. He shows empathy towards others mistakes, listens carefully, accepts new ideas from peers and forgives readily; showing a true caring spirit.

He gives equal effort to all of his classes, showing that he is balanced and holistic in his goals.

He is always organized for class by being prepared with his homework and class materials showing he is principled in his choices. Congratulations!

Apologies for no photo's at this time... I will make sure I capture them in the next few days.

Science page has been updated...

Ms Kim has updated the Science page with lots of pictures and video's of what Grade 6 were doing before the Winter break and also recently at the start of the Semester.

Please click the Science tab to have a look.