IB Principle: Balanced – This week we focused on the importance of balance by using a seesaw as an example. We explained four parts: thinking, feeling, doing, and being. Balance means making sure all four parts get equal attention, like keeping a seesaw level. 

• Thinking: learning new things and using your brain 
• Feeling: taking care of your emotions and being kind 
• Doing: playing, creating, and taking action 
• Being: relaxing, reflecting, and being yourself 

We explained to the Squad that if we balance all four parts, we feel happy, healthy, and strong! Just like a stable seesaw. 

Writing and Phonics: This week we focused on letters sounds a-z as well as sight words. The Squad did a worksheet on syllables where they had to clap the syllables of each object on the picture e.g. “Mex-i-can” to determine how many syllables are in each word and then cut out and pasted them where they belong. They grasped this new concept well and were seen trying to clap out the syllables of their friends’ names too. Hehe super cute – Keep it up Squad! 

Mathematics: This week we focused on counting to 20 and back, as well as practiced drawing 2D shapes and their properties. The Squad did a worksheet on “addition with 10 frames” to complete the sums by depicting what is missing, such as 6 + (_) = 10, they counted the open blocks and added the number 4 in the given space.  

Cooking: For our cooking class this week the Squad used their creativity and fine motor skills to the max by making their own ships (Transport theme). They started with a base made from half an apple, then added syrup and Rice Krispies to create the ship’s structure. Next, they added a triangular cheese flag on a toothpick and a jelly baby “human” to complete the design. This made a delicious and healthy snack, great work little chefs! 

Creative Art: The Squad built their own “transport” using recycled materials such as old video cassettes and hair curlers. They were intrigued with the materials they used and were impressed with their wonderful creations. (boats, rockets, cars, bikes) – Each one uniquely spectacular!  

 Have a wonderful weekend! 

Our Squad!

)We started off this week with listening to each other’s fun weekend news and interacting in a broad discussion of everyone’s news.   

We introduced this week’s theme; Land, Air and Sea Transport. We discussed what types of transport there are, i.e. land, air and sea transport and the children then gave examples of each type of transport. We discussed how air and sea transports navigate themselves and what our favourite transport is, which types of transport we have been in and what each transport needs to move. Lastly, we discussed why people use transport. 

Phonics and Writing

We started off with introducing our new “ab” family words. The children identified different words that have the “ab” sound in them. They then segmented the words by identifying the letter sounds in those word. We are so impressed at how well the Squad are grasping this concept! Once the children were comfortable with the “ab” family words, they then completed a ‘matching the word to the picture’ worksheet. They did this so well! We also wrote sentences in our books using our sight words and our “cats” (head, tummy, tail) for the correct spacing of letters. We are very impressed at how these clever kiddies completed this activity. We also recapped on our sight words. The children had a lot of fun reading!

Maths:

We continued to practice counting from 1-20 as well as count backwards from 20 – 1.  This week we completed addition sums using the counting on method up to 10 as well as subtraction sums using the crossing out method up to 10 as well as using concrete objects. The Squad have impressed their teachers so much! We completed a worksheet where we had cut out pictures of mittens that have the numbers 1-10 on them, we had to place the missing numbers that come before and after up to 10.

Life Skills:

Focusing on our moral conscious theme: We can make a difference, we discussed what it means to make a difference as well as the many ways in which we can make a difference in someone’s life or recycling to make a difference in the world.

Art:

This week we made awesome garbage trucks out of milk cartons. We even placed “rubbish” in the back using recycled materials and pencil sharpening’s. The children also drew a picture of themselves driving the truck. This was an awesome activity that each learner thoroughly enjoyed doing. They couldn’t wait to take them home and show their parents!

Afrikaans:

We have introduced basic Afrikaans words such as colours, numbers, fruits and greetings. Everyone is catching on so nicely, we are very impressed!

Concert practice is taking place in full force! The excitement and tunes are definitely kicking in!

See you all next week.

This week has just raced, soared and sailed by!