UNIT OF INQUIRY-CHANGES IN US

23^st  September, 2013

Dear Parents,

The students of Grade 6 are growing into young adults. This experience includes many physical, emotional, mental and social changes. As they move toward preparing for Middle School, it is, indeed, extremely important that we, as adults, prepare them for these changes. We need to create an open environment for the students to share their thoughts, feelings and questions.

Our 2^nd Unit of Inquiry is titled ‘Changes in us’ under the transdisciplinary theme of “Who we are”. It properly addresses these physical, emotional, mental and social changes. ‘Changes in us’ will help the students with correct information, as well as suggestions into ways of confidently handling these changes.

We are going to teach this unit with sensitivity, care and a balance. We are aware of and sense the students’ needs for understanding their changes in themselves, in today’s world. Also, we will have support from counsellors and doctors to assist us with successfully meeting these changing needs of the students.

Further details of the unit are mentioned below:

Central Idea: Understanding the changes within oneself helps people make better decisions.

Key Concepts:

·         Change (growth, cycles)

·         Connection(Learning styles, personality development)

·         Responsibility (values, initiative)

Lines of Inquiry:

·         The Reversible and irreversible chemical changes that occur all around us

·         Ways to maintain health and hygiene during puberty

·         The role of a balanced lifestyle in puberty

In this unit, students will inquire into different changes in the body and find out how the body systems develop and change with age. Also, they will learn many details about the human endocrine and reproductive systems, including the male and female reproductive cycles. Students will be encouraged to ask questions and will be guided to find answers to any doubts they may have with regards to puberty and primary and secondary sexual characteristics in humans. They will participate as a group, as well as have individual, private conversations with the teachers.

They will be also encouraged to conduct surveys to find out different ways of handling these physical, emotional, mental and social changes responsibly. Student confidentiality will be given prime importance in the class to build a sense of trust, which will help the students ask their questions freely.

The students will also have many opportunities to develop transdisciplinary skills. They will be encouraged to practice positive ‘Attitudes’ towards learning and life in general. We will be providing all of the resources to the students in class, so they will not be required to do any kind of research at home. While we are teaching this unit you may wish to encourage your children to talk about these topics with you at home in order to encourage them to deal with them openly and naturally.

Please communicate via email if you would like to understand the issues being discussed and how they are being handled in a way that is age appropriate in class. You are welcome to share any feedback from home.

We look forward to your continued support and cooperation on this purposeful journey. We are happy to address any concerns or comments from you, as and when appropriate.

Warm Regards,

Mubeen Safura

Anjum Budhwani

Form Tutors

Grade  6 K

Websites for the unit:

http://www.brainpop.com/about/

http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks3/ict/multiple_int/questions/questions.cfm

http://kidshealth.org/kid/grow/body_stuff/puberty.html#

http://www.learning-styles-online.com/overview/

http://www.learning-styles-online.com/

http://www.leadershipgardenlegacy.com/blog/

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/raising-smart-kids-by-fostering-decisionmaking-ski.html

http://www.gdrc.org/decision/pyramid.html

http://www.beinggirl.com/my-body-and-wellness/puberty/

http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/body/puberty/

v  Kindly make a note of the changed lines of inquiry in the curriculum overviews as well.

 October 29,2013

Formative assessment- health camp

Welcome to the
HEALTH CAMP The current unit for Grade 6, is ‘Changes in Us’. We are inquiring about ways to maintain health and hygiene during puberty and the emotional, physical and social changes that take place in our body. We are hosting a health camp to share our learning with the other students and the whole of PYP. Venue : 1st Floor Corridors, Grade 6A and 6K Timings : 09:00 am – 09:30 am Please visit us !

Formative assessment of conducting a health camp turned out to be a great success and was marked as very informative by the staff and students.

Students working on case studies to analyse the problems and find solutions