Theme 2: Building our traits

Whilst the 1^st theme focused on social studies, the 2^nd one focused on science. The 2^nd transdisciplinary theme was ‘Who we are’ with the title ‘Building our traits’

This theme ran from September 3^rd – October 5^th, with the central idea ‘Our physical features and characteristics are inherited from our predecessors’. The enduring understanding expected from this theme is that every organism grows and reproduces and their traits are passed along to future generations.

To get the students in tune with the theme, we asked them to bring their family photos and compare physical appearance between their family members (skin color, eye color, etc.). Grade 5 teachers then explained to students that physical appearances are the effects of our genes inside our cells.

To learn about the cell, we discussed each of its parts and functions (mitochondrion, nucleus, chromosome, etc.), and types of cell division. To give students some information about cell division, we watched videos of mitosis and meiosis and asked them to create a model of cell division from any materials they could find.

MITOSIS & MEIOSIS VIDEO

Then, we brainstormed with the students: If a cell were a city, what buildings should each cell part represent? This brainstorm activity led to a student project called THE CITY CELL ANALOGY. They created a city model, where the buildings represent cell parts and their functions. After our students had finished, they held a simple exhibition among our three parallel classes. See how enthusiastic they were!

Then, we got more specific. We discussed about some traits which are directly affected by our genes, for example attached or free earlobes, tongue-rolling ability, straight hairline or widow’s peak.

After that, our students created ‘The Tree Traits Project’ where they projected their traits in the form of leaves and attached them to the ‘branch of traits’. Confused? Have a look-see for yourself! (To learn more about the 'Tree Traits Project', please click here)

Our students were so curious, they asked questions, like Why do one part of our body has different shape than the same body part of other people’s? We then explain to our students that we have dominant genes and recessive genes, and, interestingly, we can predict the traits of our predecessor and offspring, by using a Punnet square. (If you want to try an on-line punnet square, please go here, and if you want to find out more about genetically controlled traits, please go here).

This is an example of how our students predicted the offspring’s traits by using Punnet squares.

After they understand about the use of Punnet square, it was time for the fun part! Our students were asked to create superhero parents, and they had to determine which powers (from the mom or dad) are dominant and recessive. Then, they predicted their offspring’s traits by using the Punnet square. Watch out! Here comes some of our Superhero Families!
(To learn more about the 'Superhero Traits Project, please click here)

And last, we asked parents to help our students for their final project of this theme. The students were asked to make a slide show presentation about their physical features and characteristics that are inherited from their parents. The slide show included the background theory of traits passing, similarities and differences between them and their family, and the dominant and recessive traits of their family with an explanation about the inheritance of traits in the family with a Punnet square. Let’s see our ‘young scientists’ in action!

Theme 1: On the Move

Our 1st transdisciplinary theme was 'Where We Are in Place and Time' entitled 'On The Move'.

The theme ran for 5 weeks, from July 30th - August 31st 2007.

The Central Idea of this theme is ' Throughout history people have been on the move, with wide-ranging effects on themselves and on the indigenous populations'. With this central idea, we hope the students could get an enduring understanding that migration is caused by certain reasons and has impact on the migrants and on the indigenous population.

To start the theme, we had a warm-up activity to get the students 'tuned in' with the theme. We watched a movie called 'Journey from The Fall', about a family who had to flee their country (Vietnam) because of the war. It's a very moving story.

We asked our students to respond to this story by writing a letter to the main character, Mr. Long & family, and expressing their feelings about the migration and what they would have felt if they were in his place.

After that activity, the students were asked to create a mind map about how their family migrated. Also, the students had an interview with some of the school community members who had migration experiences. The products of this activity are mind maps and comics. Here are some examples of their work.

To enrich their exposure to this theme, we had an excursion to two areas in our city (Bogor) which has experienced a deep impact caused by the migration. Those two areas are Kelurahan Babakan Pasar which is the 'China Town' in Bogor city, and the other one is the Arab settlers in Kelurahan Empang.

The students had their share of experiencing direct interaction with some of the community members by interviewing some of the people there, most of whom are direct descendents of their ancestors who migrated there. The students also could see some of the proof of assimilation, such as in culture and architecture. Here's how we had some fun doing it!

In the end, after all this hard work and fun, we wrapped-up this theme by performing a summative assessment by making a Power Point presentation of a fictional migrant's journey. The Power Point presentation consisted of background of the character, homeland condition, new destination attractiveness, reasons for moving, and hopes and reality after migrating. Our students are so creative! Let's take a look on how they presented it!

All about Grade 5 Sekolah Bogor Raya

Grade 5 Sekolah Bogor Raya are the last or culminate year of the PYP (Primary Years Programme) in this school . What is a PYP programme?

The PYP programme is a curriculum framework provided by the IBO (International Baccalaureate Organization) and it is designed for students between the ages of 3 and 12 years for international primary education with and in-depth guide to all aspects of learning. Within the PYP, it is believed that student learning is best done when it is authentic - relevant to the "real world" - and transdisciplinary - where the learning is not confined within the boundaries of traditional subjects, but is supported and enriched by them.

PYP is a guide to curriculum covering 1) The written curriculum: a written set of objectives(What do we want students to learn?); 2) The taught curriculum: Application of good classroom practice (How best will they learn?); and 3) The assessed curriculum: Effective and appropriate assessment (How will we know what they have learned?)

A driving force behind the PYP is the philosophy about the nature of international education, where the 'IB learner' strive to be an Inquirer, Knowledgeable, Thinker, Communicator, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-taker, Balanced, and Reflective.

In a PYP school, a balance is needed between acquisition of essential knowledge and skills, development of conceptual understanding, demonstration of positive attitudes, and taking responsible action.

Students inquire and learn about the globally significant issues in the context of Unit of Inquiry, where each addresses a central idea relevant to a particular transdisciplinary theme explored through out the year (Who we are, Where we are in place and time, How we express ourselves, How the world works, How we organize, and Sharing the planet).

To support teachers who are implementing the PYP, the link between the written, the taught, and the assessed curriculum has ben strengthened in the PYP document namely the PYP planner, which is designed to be used collaboratively and structured around a central idea and lines of inquiry

For further information about PYP, IBO, or Sekolah Bogor Raya, please visit www.IBO.org or www.sekolahbr.or.id

Welcome!

Welcome to Grade 5 Sekolah Bogor Raya (SBR) blog!

We, the Teachers of Grade 5 SBR, think it would be such a waste if we don't share our classroom ideas with you readers. We do not intend to be arrogant, nor showing off our class results, we simply want to...share! After all..sharing is good, right? And for parents, we hope that this can be a bridge to find out all about your child's progress in our class through the virtual world....So..ENJOY!

This is our 5A class, Ibu SIska (standing, left) and Ibu Dhiny (standing, right) and their adorable Students

Next, we have 5B class, Ibu Geni (standing, left) and Ibu Poppy (standing, right) with their exciting Students

And last, but not least, our 5C class, with Pak Sigit (standing, left) and Ibu Terra (standing, right) and their energetic students